cyrnel

Don't want to sidetrack things but I'm trying to open up the usual meaning of addiction. I've seen too many people held captive by substances, sports, media, religions, whatever. While I believe our tendency to become passionate about anything makes up our humanity, they can all be taken to dangerous extremes. Enough years have passed that they all appear different shades of slavery to me. Some less immediately dangerous than others, but all with the potential. If we start legislating against addictions then an open analysis could endanger any activity that consumes, even those that promote natural stimulants. (endorphins, etc.)

So, I'm not suggesting you have addictions, just suggesting we be careful about labeling my gardening hobby more dangerous than your running hobby.

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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195