[CommunityDiscussion] Public's perception of markets/users

whenever media covers market shenanigans i get a glimpse of how others really view users: junkies, low-life criminals, really stupid, deserving of any negative consequences (including but not limited to losing thousands of dollars or life in prison), generally awful people, etc.

a lot of this is due to stigma surrounding drugs in general. and i know it shouldn't even matter because the people who say those things don't give any of this a second thought. it's just another interesting article to read to them.

i think a lot of the authors behind those pieces really try to portray markets accurately, down to using the posts in this sub for info, but they're never going to be able to portray all the different kinds of people that use the markets. the vast majority of users are just normal people, not criminals. ok yes technically criminals but not the shitty kind and only because of stupid drug laws.

anyway just something i've been thinking about with all the articles on the evo shitstorm. i wish something could be done to change people's perceptions but i'm afraid the only way that will happen is by decriminalizing drugs, and even then it's a long road ahead.

edited to add it doesn't help that drug buyers get lumped into those buying weapons, committing fraud, or other illicit shit you can find on the dnm's. i don't agree with any of that and wish those were on a separate market entirely but at the same time i feel like a hypocrite saying buying illegal drugs online is fine but making other illegal purchases online is not.


Comments


[1 Points] MLP_is_my_OPSEC:

The only way to change perceptions is to talk to them and explain to them why keeping drugs illegal is a stupid idea. I've already flipped family members and friends that had the idea that all drugs are bad. You'll come across some people that wont agree or completely refuse to talk to you after, but that's just a fact of life.


[1 Points] Theeconomist1:

The thing is the public only hears of problematic drug users. It's not like they are profiling a local community do good'er and will say "Mr Citizen enjoys long walks along the beach with his wife and 2 beautiful children and unwinding after a long day with 2 narrow lines of DNM blow." Addicts and users are far more prevalent than we are led to believe. The U.S. leads the world in narcotic prescriptions. For a first world country we sure have a high rate of injury and accidents, esp sitting behind a desk. It'd be nice if the day ever came where they mention a local leaders favorite drink and DoC. It'll never happen but one can dream right?

So point is, news reports the news. News is generally bad news and anything drug related is terrible news. And bc of the stigma of it, you don't discuss drug use with anybody but the closest of friends. I don't disucss mine with anybody. Bad for business. So the only time others know you use generally are your friends you've told who prob understand and use themselves or if family thinks it's time to call up that show Intercention and ship your ass to Idaho or whenever it is they send out. Have you ever read anything mainstream that says you can use drugs recreationally and still be a productive member of society? Hell no. Newspaper put the pressure on drug prohibition back in the early 1900s. William Randolph Hurst had a raging hard on for making drugs illegal. Big fucking dick.

It's simoly misinformation at the highest level. Either on purpose or simply the ones who could provide a good example simply won't since there is nothing to gain by doing that.

If you could understand the irony of what I do for some of my clients you would laugh. I'm high everyday, all day pretty much. If only they knew. Lol