Not me. I've stated my views; I don't insist that everyone share them, and I think it's a great pity when minds are so closed that nothing can penetrate, but it's not my problem.
No matter what or how much I know, I try to maintain the attitude that there may be something more to learn; it's the only possible way that any further learning can take place. It's really a shame that others find themselves unable to maintain that attitude.
When I got here, I was as brainwashed as any of the masses about the "horrible addiction" of nicotine; thru reading, both here and in some well-documented articles, I've arrived at the conclusion that nicotine isn't nearly as addictive as it's always been made out to be, and most of its addictive potential is in the smoking of tobacco, where it is coupled with MAOIs (natural) and ammonia and other substances (decidedly UNnatural). All by itself, to a former smoker, it's probably slightly dependence-producing; to a never-smoker, it appears to not be dependence-producing at all.
I don't care if someone calls me an addict; it's simply the truth, and being a truth with which I've been comfortable for many years, I find no value-judgement in it, even if one is intended. But I can understand why others might not wish to be called that, especially if they have their own personal experience which indicates they are not, and others disregard that personal experience completely and tell them they're "in denial"; it's rude and insulting at the very least.
Andria
longest and most painful... too funny.
