Interesting to read the research on its influence within Palo Alto. As long as the discussion remains objective and factual (rather than partisan), I hope that we would see how S. Valley became the powerhouse that it is as opposed to judging the past.

>>> Kesey and Brand, as part of the Merry Pranksters, held Acid Tests events in the Bay Area, where they advocated LSD use to thousands of young people. At the 1966 Trips Festival, 6,000 people came to dance to live music and drink LSD-laced punch.

With that in mind, you can't overlook the Grateful Dead who provided the music (environmental soundtrack) for these gatherings.

It will be interesting to see if any local Deadheads from 'way back when' attend this upcoming lecture...dinosaurs in tie-dyes.

> ...micro-dosing, which gives the user a sharper focus and helps make creative connections between thoughts in a subliminal way..."It's rampant in Silicon Valley now. There may be tens of thousands of people micro-dosing LSD right now,"

Not surprising considering the number of people now 'toking up' before heading off to work or school. Marijuana today, LSD tomorrow...all in smaller doses that allow one to 'stay high but keep their priorities straight'.

The rainbow is coming to a town near you.

> ...a catalyst for Silicon Valley creativity...many of whom were prominent local engineers...

Then along the same lines, the contribution of alcohol must not be overlooked either. Walker's Wagon Wheel in Mountain View was a well-known meeting place for design engineers in the semiconductor field. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, their innovative embedded and programmable 'chip' creations were critical to the development of PC and Mac computer operating systems.

Instead of tripping, many just got inebriated and brainstormed while imbibing countless cocktails during their lunch periods, after work hours and evening forays at the bar. Different strokes for different folks.

We can safely assume as well as say, that both booze and acid played key roles in the technological development of modern personal computer systems.

Marijuana had its contributions as well...primarily amongst the software designers.

Imagine how hindered we'd be today if everyone had stayed 'straight'.

>Imagine how hindered we'd be today if everyone had stayed 'straight'.

Yes, we might have telephones with good clear sound, and that don't disconnect. Maybe even communications with people who can spell.
And less addiction. And no selfies!
We would certainly have fewer life-wasting games, and of course, less election tampering. And maybe, a president who was sane.
And fewer homeless people forced out of their jobs by robots.
Doesn't sound so bad to me.

> And maybe, a president who was sane.

What is the correlation here?

The POTUS/45 stated that he has never had a drink of alcohol in his life due to the tragedy of his older brother's alcoholism.

Reality is for people who can't face drugs.