BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100

Subject: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 09:47 PM

In this article Albert Hoffman reflects on his "problem child" and on life and death.

Flashback

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 09:51 PM

What happened to blotting paper?

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 09:53 PM

The banks stopped giving blotters out and brought about the demise of the fountain pen.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: GUEST,AR282
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 09:56 PM

Mr. Hofmann certainly changed my life.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Bobert
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 10:02 PM

wow....

didja see that???...

man, far out...

hahahahahahaha...........

dynamite...

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 10:02 PM

And that of many others, I'm sure, AR282.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 10:47 PM

Hey Bobert

If you liked that check out this guy http://www.larrycarlson.com/ click on flash movies.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 10:51 PM

Wow! A hundred years old, huh? Just think how old he'd be if he'd never taken that stuff!

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 10:54 PM

..wow. Hoffman surely has had some doors opened for him. Don't suppose there is any serious study of LSD-25 going on these days, except perhaps by spooks in spy agencies everywhere. All the dismissals of hallucinations as mere fabrications of the mind were rather premature. How was it, for example, that two or more people tripping could independently see/hear/sense the same "hallucination?"

Good riddance to blotter and all that crap. Basement pharmaceuticals conjured up by amateur chemists and cut with very nasty stuff, like rat poison.

Hoffman's critical observations of Leary were a little harsh. Leary may have been misguided, but he meant well. All he was trying to do was liberate consciousness; not something that particularly coincides well with "the authorities" when Harvard's elite are showing people that there are realities we can't even imagine, realities that may be preferable to the one cops and government bureaucrats and military types want us to embrace.

Leary realized early on that his experiments with LSD were doomed unless he could find a suitable use for it. There had been mention of psychoanalysis, but this wasn't sufficiently practical. He got permission to experiment with violent and hardened criminals in a maximum security prison in ..either Vermont or New Hampshire, memory fails. He describes dropping acid with these guys inside prison walls, a daunting environment to say the least. Recidivism rates were high for these types of criminals, until Leary opened their minds and showed them other realities exist besides the revolving door of the penal system (paraphrasing). Leary claimed his studies showed that recidivism rates could be reduced if inmates were given LSD.

Happy birthday Dr. Hoffman.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 11:00 PM

It was also tried experimentally in the Canadian penal system. Some of the subjects were recently given financial compensation for alleged harm that was caused to them by it.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: number 6
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 11:35 PM

blotting papers ... weren't they called a .. tab.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 11:45 PM

In the lexicon of my salad days a tab was a tablet, a cap was a capsule and a blotter was a blotter.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: number 6
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 11:51 PM

Oh yeah ... kinda hard to remember!

Thanks for reminding me bobad.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Paul Burke
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 05:23 AM

Wow! A hundred years old, huh? Just think how old he'd be if he'd never taken that stuff!

Yes. Well. He'd probably only be 22.

I wonder how old he thinks he is. Probably green, with swirly patterns in B minor.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 07:36 AM

From the article, his brain seems to have survived quite nicely.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 09:28 AM

Thanks for the Flashback!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 10:27 AM

However, all this talk of drugs aside, Hoffman did NOT father the Mormon Church. FYI.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 02:51 PM

Hoffman had probably what was the single most interesting bicycle ride in history when the acid kicked in while he was on his way home.
Congrats, Al. What a long strange trip it's been.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 04:36 PM

Right Peace, it was the church of dyslexic mormons.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 05:09 PM

I've sometimes found myself wondering whether Abbie and Albert Hoffman were related.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: GUEST,AR282
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 05:17 PM

>>I've sometimes found myself wondering whether Abbie and Albert Hoffman were related.<<

No. Abbie spelled his name "Hoffman" while Albert spelled his "Hofmann."

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 05:21 PM

Thanks, Bobad.

So, who the heck is Hoffmann?

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 05:40 PM

I apologize for my mis-spell.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 08:37 PM

You aren't the only one - for example Science Daily - "...As Albert Hoffman, the father of LSD, turns 100..."

And while I think it unlikely that the two blokes were related, a spelling variant like that wouldn't mean a thing. Americans are notorious for changing the spelling of the names their families back in Europe used.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: PoppaGator
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:57 PM

Thanks to age and geography, I missed the earliest days of the LSD era, and never tripped until years after the substance had become illegal and was no longer generally available in unadulterated form.

However, I was privileged, once and once only, to sample some pure Sandoz-lab LSD. Completely different, and of course much better, than the garden-variety underground laboratory product normally available in the midwest in 1968/69.

Mr. Hof(f)man's longevity and lucidity bear witness to the truth that pure LSD, taken in moderate dosages, never hurt anyone, and provided an extremely positive experience for many.

Bruce: You don't remember "Yippie" Abbie Hoffman? Really? Organizer of the "Youth International Party," one of the leaders of demonstrations at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago and author of "Steal This Book"?

I'm familiar with the aphorism "If you remember the 60s, you weren't really there," but I take it as a joke; I don't believe anyone who claims complete amnesia, no matter how much acid they took. You're kidding us, right?

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Wolfgang
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 01:07 PM

LSD was sold for a short time officially under the appropriate name 'Delysid'.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 03:31 PM

Ha ha...

... there it goes again... see it?

Why does sombobulism sound like a funny word?

Answers on a candle and post them in the fridge

Who?

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Once Famous
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:53 PM

Many people have died while under the influence.

Please keep that in perspective.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 07:14 PM

If you mean me when you say Bruce, PG, I not only remember him, but have also had more than a few conversations with him. My "So, who's Hoffmann" was just me fartin' around.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 07:24 PM

1000!
Yipeee!
(Long thread this!)

"Many people have died while under the influence"

People die from life

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: michaelr
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 07:45 PM

Hofmann should get a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award.

Best movies I've ever seen... on the inside of my eyelids.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 07:47 PM

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: GUEST,AR282
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 11:22 PM

>>Many people have died while under the influence.<<

How many?

>>Please keep that in perspective.<<

Okie-doke, you fulla do-do!

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 10:43 PM

Nobel prize winning scientists, computer designers attribute inspiration and insight to LSD.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,70015-0.html?tw=wn_tophead_1

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Once Famous
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 11:41 PM

Guest, AR282, you are full of feces. No, I can't tell you exactly how many, but you can't tell me that there is zero either.

What an idiototic reply yours was. LSD is a dangerous drug and thankfully is illegal. There is plenty of valid information easily found on it's dangers.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: michaelr
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 12:07 AM

Some get it, some don't.

Go away, Martin.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 09:13 AM

Martin, if you read the article, you would see that it says there were two to five documented deaths associated with LSD.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 09:44 AM

That's two to five that happened needlessly. Why don't you druggie pricks ever seem to get it?

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 10:09 AM

That should be posted in this thread My Prejudices SJ.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 10:25 AM

"LSD is a dangerous drug"

Lysergic acid diethylamide can certainly be dangerous. It is a catalyst, and even experienced users of the substance can experience difficulties with it. Fortunately, there are other drugs that can 'get one off a bad trip'. The same cannot be said of substances like STP.

I used to counsel at a drug clinic and work a 'suicide hotline'. Acid cause frequent phone calls in the early 1970s. I suggest people don't use it. If you MUST take a drug to 'expand your mind', try Mark Twain's books. Read, don't swallow.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 10:33 AM

I'm with you all the way on that Peace.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 09:02 PM

BTW, no one is advocating the use of drugs in this thread so the fear mongering is unnecessary. I think most of us are aware that there are dangers inherent in many substances if abused. That should not preclude the reasoned and scientific examination of any substance for its potential benefits.

I personally don't use any illicit drugs recreationally but I do try to keep my mind open to any new information uncovered by scientific research and to not let my opinions be hobbled by emotion. I am more fascinated by the fact that Francis Crick, discoverer of the double helical structure of DNA, told friends he received inspiration for his ideas from LSD than I am fearful that some people may have an adverse reaction to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 04:40 PM

Properly-conducted scientific research, and medically-approved and controlled use of drugs are fine.

Amateurs fucking about with drugs for 'fun' are pricks. That's not prejudice, it's fact, and I have very good reason to know this truth.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 01:11 AM

What's with Strollin Johnny and his harping that acid heads are "pricks"? Isn't a prick an agressive jerk? Acid can do a lot of things but turning somebody into an agressive jerk ain't one of em, in my experience. As to scientific, medically approved and controlled
consumption of LSD, I experienced numerous recreational trips with no significant negative after-effects. I suppose I was lucky, and it sounds like Johnny was a victim or knew someone who was a victim of bad chemicals or bad environment. I understand his anger, in that case.
Fact is a lot of people have experimented with marijuana, LSD, peyote, psilocybin, mescaline and other non-toxic, non-addictive psychoactive substances. Some of these same people experimented with cocaine, meth, and even heroin, and they know the difference between the first group and the second. Those who sip their scotch while damning all of these substances under the collective name "drugs"...well, as michaelr said, "just don't get it."

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 01:13 AM

Not everyone has experienced your good fortune, EJ.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 02:44 AM

Same old argument, Peace. You show me 4 or 5 deaths from LSD, I'll show you 4 or 5 million from alcohol. You tell me why one's legal and the other's a crime.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 03:34 PM

"Same old argument, Peace. You show me 4 or 5 deaths from LSD, I'll show you 4 or 5 million from alcohol. You tell me why one's legal and the other's a crime."

FIRST: I never said there were deaths because of acid.
SECOND: I can't tell you why alcohol is legal, cigarettes are legal and other drugs aren't.

So let me ask you: Why?

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 06:40 AM

My comments weren't LSD-specific. All amateurs who fuck around with all drugs for 'fun' are pricks. Stupid, arrogant, ignorant fools.
I'm not angry, just sick to my gut that adults who should have more sense and self respect spout off on here so proudly about their stupidity, without a care for the malinfluence they may have on others, especially young people. Pricks, the lot of them.

My reasons for my views have been discussed on here before, I don't propose to expose them again. Accept that they are valid, and based on very considerable experience as a youth-worker and a parent.
My last words.
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:53 PM

Since you asked, Peace...
Alcohol was already embedded in the society from top to bottom, and has been since man came out of the cave. It is "institutionalized" in our society, and most other ones too. Despite the fact that thousands die yearly, it is a multi-billion dollar industry, and the stuff makes most people feel good.
But, given the chance, society and government will generally shun and illegalize any substance that makes people feel good but has no other constructive purpose. It's called legislating morality. With LSD and marijuana, there was and never has been any real evidence of damage from their use, particularly harm to OTHERS than the user.

Johnny, I wasn't aware of your history with drug abusers. And I'm not bragging about my psychedelic exploits of 30 years past. But I do believe since you have worked with druggies, you probably are aware of the differences between a substance like pot and one like heroin.

Subject: RE: BS: Albert Hoffman, Father of LSD, Turns 100
From: Peace
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:56 PM

"Since you asked, Peace..."

I don't understand why you were on my case in the first place.