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Comment by sp332 | Hacker News Reader

A demon is something scary that lives inside of you. I think it's an OK metaphor.

Addictions don't live inside you, they are part of your behavior.

edit: really - addictions don't live inside you, perched on your heart, making you do bad things. They are not different than you.

Right. That's why it's a metaphor and not a real demon. It's just as scary as a demon because it feels like you can't control your actions.

Demons don't exist, and their mythical properties are ascribed to real addictions. Addictions may not be incurable, they may not be uncontrollable, they may not require exorcism by an expert, they may not have been induced by sin or fed by it, Jesus may not be the answer, etc.

edit: really? Happy to accept the downvotes on this one.

Again, it's a metaphor. You know, like "I'm so hungry I could eat a unicorn" But unicorns don't exist you say!

Well, they might exist depending on what you are on. :)

Demons don't exist

That's what the demons want you to think.

Agreed. Historically this "evil spirit" metaphor has been a symbol used to deny accountabilty for everything from battery to rape and murder. It also includes religious baggage.

A homunculus didn't do it; I am it and I did that.

Most of the choices you make aren't conscious. They come from you but in the sense that you're an amalgam.

Many of your behaviors are effectively semi-autonomous reactions perched inside you.

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