Thread:User talk:Reckless Noise Symphony/"Hope Dope Dealer"

Personally, I go one further even than that. The people making money, and also the ones endangering lives, have a massive memetic support network that makes their wares look attractive. To stick with the analogy, you wouldn't go to the dope dealer if lots of people around you weren't saying dope was great, or that the general idea of taking drugs was a good idea - which is reinforced by legal ones such as alcohol and tobacco. The meme of intoxication being a good thing is started and supported by acceptable substance abuse in much the same way that the meme of spiritual healers and AIDS woo-pushers doing good is supported by more acceptable BS-peddling; whether it be moderate religious belief, just being "concerned" or rolling around in woo that is otherwise harmless. It all adds up, and the harmful stuff simply wouldn't get a foothold without it.