Use of LSD-25 for Computer Programming

[Triple Zero]

From: http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v18n1/v18n1-MAPS_24.pdf

Use of LSD-25 for Computer Programming

Here is a way I used LSD-25 for a complex programming project
in 1975. I was working in New York developing a compiler for an
application language called "MARLAN". This application was for
the then popular IBM 360 and was written in 360 Assembler
Language. There were six large phases for this application, and
I was the responsible chief architect and programmer for the
project. There were approximately eight hundred subroutines
in the entire system.

At one point in the project I could not get an overall viewpoint for the operation of the entire system. It really was too much for my brain to keep all the subtle aspects and processing nuances clear so I could get a processing and design overview.  After struggling with this problem for a few weeks, I decided to use a little acid to see if it would enable a breakthrough, because otherwise, I would not be able to complete the project and be certain of a consistent overall design.  Overall design consistency was important to reduce program and design errors. I used only seventy-five micrograms because I was not interested in tripping, as I had a specific, limited and definite purpose for the use of LSD. While stimu- lated by the LSD I was able to get the entire system wholly in my mind at the same time. I spent some time mentally visualizing various aspects of the compiler, the language and the processing which would take place. I did discover three or four design inconsistencies while being stimulated by the effect of the LSD, and I made notes for later checking.

After twenty-four hours when the effect of the LSD was completely gone, I went over my notes. I needed to have a measure of ÔfaithÕ that the design changes suggested by my notes would produce the beneficial effects they seemed to imply; that is, I was again in the condition of being not able to conceive of the entire system at the same time in my mind. Once all the changes were made, I was able to successfully complete the program- ming of this huge system. The design changes I made reduced future program modification errors and contributed to the elegance of the design.  The system was a commercial success for my employer and was used for many years by them. Al- though the use of LSD was an important component of the success of the system, no one knew of its use except me.

I wonder, any of you coder-people ever tried this?

I haven't tried LSD ever myself, just shrooms, and from what I remembered when I once took a low dosage, I got rather giggly and easily distracted, without much visual things happening (apart from colours intensified somewhat). I might have been able to think more symbolically or something, but the ADHD-like effect would probably have negated much useful coding, either that or I might have ended up with optimizing one single for-loop in a really pretty way, probably making a nice pattern with indents, operators and comments :-P

I wouldn't think of combining it with dex or ritalin to combat the lack of focus, wouldn't dare to. I had a real bad experience combining shrooms with some real strong hashish, which I realize is very different, but the hours-long discomfort and bad trip it caused--while very educational in hindsight--doesn't make me want to risk mixing up things with shrooms ever more.

OTOH maybe if I took an even lower dose, together with a good friend who's also an excellent coder, reserve an entire day + evening, and perhaps recharge with another low dose halfway the day (if that would work? I read resistance builds up pretty quick?), and lots and lots of comfort-food (I found that unsalted mixed nuts and chocolate raisins are pretty much the only stuff I could bring myself to eat during heavy tripping, after having giggled at the funny face the half-open pistachios were making at me for some minutes).

Probably prepare that with building a nice experimental framework of code beforehand, so you can just write simple functions and procedures and experiment the fuck out of it. I'm thinking fractal renderers, cellular automata, perhaps some artificial life and/or PyBox2D physical simulations, would make us come up with some pretty wild generative art, and perhaps even more awesome. I'll bounce the idea off him, he was with me the evening on the low-dosage trip, but that was like 8 years ago.

Also a problem is shrooms have been illegal since a year (or 2?) in the Netherlands, fuck you fucking drug tourists and underaged french girls tripped out on booze coke weed and shrooms jumping off bridges in Amsterdam. Though I think you can still order starter grow kits off the Internets. (Or maybe the smart-shops that used to sell shrooms are able to offer information on how/where to get them still, or maybe they'll kick me out the same way a coffeeshop would if you'd ask them if they sell pills or coke.)

[maphdet]

I could not imagine coding and tripping.

That said the dose this guy took was low and he did not code while under the influence, he coded after the fact.
I think he needed to give his mind a rest and after the fact had a clearer view of the project. Maybe?

Oh and I'm not sure about the eating bit-the last time I dosed was when I was in my teens and ugh-food was the furthest thing from my mind set.

If you try it-Keep notes and let us know how it goes. I'm interested in the results. (just curious is all)

[Captain Utopia]

I've definitely been able to come up with original elegant solutions to software design issues while under the influence of weed - big picture stuff.  But actual coding has always been a fun farce - that has to wait until the effects have worn off.

I don't know whether it's possible with LSD to zoom in and out, or work at more than one level of symbolism concurrently, since I've never tried it.  From second-hand accounts though, I think this would take a certain amount of familiarity with the drug.  I've heard people say that they could go to school, sit through class, and work under the influence, but this is from people for whom during a certain period of time it would be an almost daily occurrence.  I did infer a familiarity with the drug from the quoted passage.

[Cain]

Agreed with CU - this could be done under LSD, I guess, but you'd need to have used it before multiple times, and with the intent to do something other than just get high.

That said, I'd love to see the code that someone who unknowingly took LSD would write - I imagine it to be the programming equivalent of those webs that spiders on LSD make.

[Cramulus]

10 GOTO 10

[Captain Utopia]

 

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

I occasionally do design work under the influence of some sort of drug... but not the implementation. LSD in very small doses seems to work...pot seems to work... shrooms I can't imagine working... I would be too busy enjoying the trip

Though on shrooms once, I did come up with a concept for a cool solution that would basically create a gaming system using smartphones as the communication medium... never got past the prototype though.

[BabylonHoruv]

I have had LSD help me understand Crowley's work on the Tarot.  Not the same field obviously, but he does use pretty strict systems for tarot, it's not touchy feely wiccan type stuff.  I have never done coding that was complicated enough that I think LSD would be beneficial, but I intend to, and if possible I may try this approach at some time.  if I do I'll let you know.

[NotPublished]

I haven't touched any drugs.. but when I do want to solve a coding issue, I do a poo. It has never failed me.

[BabylonHoruv]

I haven't touched any drugs.. but when I do want to solve a coding issue, I do a poo. It has never failed me.

Heh, this has worked for me in the past.  As has taking a masturbation break.

[Captain Utopia]

Working through a tough problem right now, I think I'll combine the last two suggestions.

[NotPublished]

The problem is if I do it during masturbation, then half way through I get a "OHHHHHHHHHHH" moment and then I end up confused ~ do I go and solve or do I finish what I'm doing?

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

The problem is if I do it during masturbation, then half way through I get a "OHHHHHHHHHHH" moment and then I end up confused ~ do I go and solve or do I finish what I'm doing?

If that happens UR DOIN IT RONG

[Triple Zero]

I haven't touched any drugs.. but when I do want to solve a coding issue, I do a poo. It has never failed me.

The Djenkem method!

[Cramulus]

Working through a tough problem right now, I think I'll combine the last two suggestions.

you're going to poo out your dick?? 



I love this board