Thank you for this. The "sober curious" movement is yet another silly virtue signaling trend that young people have latched onto. This too will pass as their cannabis-clouded muffin brains wake up and realize that beer, wine and spirits are food. They are part of our culinary arts. They are derived from natural-occurring enzymatic and fermentative processes in nature. Ethyl alcohol is in kimchi and bread and pickles... well anything that is fermented.
Any consumed substance can be abused.
If people are really concerned about negative health impacts from food products, the would go on a "sugar curious" movement and demand that the plastics and chemicals be removed from our food supply.
If rather than giving up alcohol altogether, the "sober curious" would cut their consumption in half and send the surplus every month to World Central Kitchen or some other equally reputable charity, they'd feel better and better about themselves than they would with mere abstinence, and the world would be a better place.
Of course our forebears drank a lot of beer - it was a darn sight safer than drinking the water. I'm not sure this apparent 'wisdom of the ancients' need detain us for too long as an argument for alcohol.
While Quico Toro's essay presents an engaging defense of alcohol as a social connector, it seems to romanticize its role in fostering human connection. There are numerous alternative ways to bond—such as engaging in deep conversations, participating in communal activities, or enjoying music—that don't involve alcohol and its associated health risks.
Additionally, the essay appears to downplay the well-documented health risks linked to alcohol consumption, including increased chances of liver disease, certain cancers, and cardiovascular issues. The suggestion that the social benefits of drinking outweigh these risks seems unsubstantiated, especially considering that meaningful connections can be achieved without alcohol.
Moreover, the piece doesn't fully address the broader societal consequences of alcohol use, such as its contribution to domestic violence, drunk driving incidents, and public health burdens. While acknowledging that some individuals should avoid alcohol, the essay doesn't delve into these significant societal impacts.
Historically, while alcohol has been part of human culture, its role and consumption patterns have evolved. Ancient beverages often had lower alcohol content and were consumed in different contexts compared to today's drinking culture. Therefore, using historical precedent as a primary justification for modern alcohol consumption might be an oversimplification.
In summary, while the essay offers a thought-provoking perspective, it seems to overlook the complexities surrounding alcohol use, including health risks and societal impacts. A more balanced discussion would consider both the potential benefits and the significant drawbacks associated with alcohol consumption.
Driving while intoxicated is a serious, immediate threat to the lives and safety of others, and we are right to diligently enforce its ban. Aside from that, though, the strong majority of negative consequences for drinking irresponsibly accrue to the drinker. The idea that nobody should drink because somebody will be irresponsible is extremely unpopular because nobody wants to be prejudged as irresponsible. We want to be judged by our own actions, not by the collective actions of any group we belong to, even if that group is humanity.
As a European who lived in various parts of the States for a year and a half, one thing I noticed (and missed) was the concept of " the Pub". This venue for social gathering just didn't seem to exist. In fact, people who went to bars were considered either drunks, loose women, troublemakers or just disillusioned tired business men. The Pub not only exists, and thrives, in the villages in the UK, but also in London and all over Europe, the local cafè or bar is the meeting place of friends and co-workers, the centre of gossip. Of course alcohol is drunk but it's in a social setting. I can't imagine sitting at home alone, boozing and staring at a screen. Maybe that's the one of the causes of so much loneliness in the States.
This is one long sophistry, a sort of "Alcohol doesn't hurt people, people hurt themselves." Anyone who doubts it should go back to Sam Kahn's essay at once.
If alcoholic beverages suddenly vanished from the face of the earth, THAT would be hailed as a miracle -- except by those who longed for just a little more hair of the dog that bit them.
Thank you for this. The "sober curious" movement is yet another silly virtue signaling trend that young people have latched onto. This too will pass as their cannabis-clouded muffin brains wake up and realize that beer, wine and spirits are food. They are part of our culinary arts. They are derived from natural-occurring enzymatic and fermentative processes in nature. Ethyl alcohol is in kimchi and bread and pickles... well anything that is fermented.
Any consumed substance can be abused.
If people are really concerned about negative health impacts from food products, the would go on a "sugar curious" movement and demand that the plastics and chemicals be removed from our food supply.
If rather than giving up alcohol altogether, the "sober curious" would cut their consumption in half and send the surplus every month to World Central Kitchen or some other equally reputable charity, they'd feel better and better about themselves than they would with mere abstinence, and the world would be a better place.
Of course our forebears drank a lot of beer - it was a darn sight safer than drinking the water. I'm not sure this apparent 'wisdom of the ancients' need detain us for too long as an argument for alcohol.
While Quico Toro's essay presents an engaging defense of alcohol as a social connector, it seems to romanticize its role in fostering human connection. There are numerous alternative ways to bond—such as engaging in deep conversations, participating in communal activities, or enjoying music—that don't involve alcohol and its associated health risks.
Additionally, the essay appears to downplay the well-documented health risks linked to alcohol consumption, including increased chances of liver disease, certain cancers, and cardiovascular issues. The suggestion that the social benefits of drinking outweigh these risks seems unsubstantiated, especially considering that meaningful connections can be achieved without alcohol.
Moreover, the piece doesn't fully address the broader societal consequences of alcohol use, such as its contribution to domestic violence, drunk driving incidents, and public health burdens. While acknowledging that some individuals should avoid alcohol, the essay doesn't delve into these significant societal impacts.
Historically, while alcohol has been part of human culture, its role and consumption patterns have evolved. Ancient beverages often had lower alcohol content and were consumed in different contexts compared to today's drinking culture. Therefore, using historical precedent as a primary justification for modern alcohol consumption might be an oversimplification.
In summary, while the essay offers a thought-provoking perspective, it seems to overlook the complexities surrounding alcohol use, including health risks and societal impacts. A more balanced discussion would consider both the potential benefits and the significant drawbacks associated with alcohol consumption.
Un repas sans vin est comme un jour sans soleil.
Driving while intoxicated is a serious, immediate threat to the lives and safety of others, and we are right to diligently enforce its ban. Aside from that, though, the strong majority of negative consequences for drinking irresponsibly accrue to the drinker. The idea that nobody should drink because somebody will be irresponsible is extremely unpopular because nobody wants to be prejudged as irresponsible. We want to be judged by our own actions, not by the collective actions of any group we belong to, even if that group is humanity.
As a European who lived in various parts of the States for a year and a half, one thing I noticed (and missed) was the concept of " the Pub". This venue for social gathering just didn't seem to exist. In fact, people who went to bars were considered either drunks, loose women, troublemakers or just disillusioned tired business men. The Pub not only exists, and thrives, in the villages in the UK, but also in London and all over Europe, the local cafè or bar is the meeting place of friends and co-workers, the centre of gossip. Of course alcohol is drunk but it's in a social setting. I can't imagine sitting at home alone, boozing and staring at a screen. Maybe that's the one of the causes of so much loneliness in the States.
This is one long sophistry, a sort of "Alcohol doesn't hurt people, people hurt themselves." Anyone who doubts it should go back to Sam Kahn's essay at once.
If alcoholic beverages suddenly vanished from the face of the earth, THAT would be hailed as a miracle -- except by those who longed for just a little more hair of the dog that bit them.
There's still plenty of mileage left in Ben Franklin's first maxim in the Autobiography:
"1.TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation." Temperance, not teetotalling.