Comment by wibley on Cyborgism · 2023-02-25T00:32:00.623Z · LW · GW

Which is right in line of Douglas Engelbart's program for "augmenting human intellect" by "increasing the capability of a man to approach a complex problem situation, to gain comprehension to suit his particular needs, and to derive solutions to problems" as outlined in his 1962 paper Augmenting Human Intellect. AI is hopefully the missing piece of the software puzzle, that lets it empower people instead of rigidify life. 

Comment by wibley on Orexin and the quest for more waking hours · 2022-10-02T05:41:45.367Z · LW · GW

Modafinil is a wakefulness promoter, used as nootropic drug, and has a yet unknown mechanism of action linked to the orexinergic system. Since I've started using it (though confounded with a million other factors) my sleeping levels have roughly decreased from 8 to 6 hours a night, with a corresponding drop in stress - though to be fair I also just discovered the link while reading this. Its other side effects, higher body heat and (though n=1) risk tolerance, line up with how you describe orexin as functioning. Apparently, the patent on it is [expiring soon](https://www.pharmacompass.com/patent-expiry-expiration/modafinil), and enforcement of it is already anemic enough to make descheduling it a distinct possibility.