"I regarded drugs as somewhat like rattlesnakes - it's possible to pick one up without getting bit, but why bother?"

In this quote, Elizabeth Moon uses a metaphor to draw a parallel in between drugs and rattlesnakes, an option that brings considerable undertones of threat and danger. By comparing drugs to rattlesnakes, Moon highlights their inherent potential for harm. Both are entities that can be managed or handled with severe caution, but eventually, they posture a considerable threat to anyone who engages with them.

The concept of being "bit" by a rattlesnake is analogous to experiencing the negative effects of substance abuse, which can include addiction, physical and mental health wear and tear, and irreparable changes to one's life path. The word "bit" suggests an unexpected, harmful occasion that can have lasting repercussions, just like how even a single encounter with drugs can lead to a cascade of unfavorable results.

Moon's rhetorical question, "but why bother?" recommends a philosophical position of mindful pragmatism. It can be analyzed as a call to thoroughly think about the requirement and prospective results of engaging with drugs. The phrase indicates that although it may be possible to experience drugs without suffering dire consequences, the difficulty, risk, and unpredictability included often surpass any potential advantage.

Moon invites readers to review the cost-benefit analysis of engaging with such known hazards. By presenting this concern, she promotes for a mindful and considered method to circumstances including threat. The concern "why trouble?" also recommends a larger critique of the typically glamorized portrayal of drug use in society. Moon indirectly challenges the idea that any prospective gains from such experiences deserve the peril involved.

Overall, Elizabeth Moon's usage of this metaphor and rhetorical question motivates a deep reflection on personal choices and the fundamental risks that particular courses in life involve, prompting people to weigh their decisions carefully in the context of possible consequences.