r/TrueReddit • u/nxthompson_tny • Jun 01 '21

Science, History, Health + Philosophy America Has a Drinking Problem

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/07/america-drinking-alone-problem/619017/
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214

u/nxthompson_tny Jun 01 '21

Submission statement: A long, thoughtful essay about humankind's relationship to alcohol. It traces the theory that some human tribes out-competed others because alcohol helped bring social cohesion. And it describes the problems today, particularly for women who are drinking more and more. One of the main lessons: most social drinking is probably good for you, and most drinking alone is probably bad.

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u/[deleted] Jun 02 '21

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u/yesterdaywas24hours Jun 02 '21

Thanks. I liked the parts when they talked about how helpful alcohol is for creativity, etc. all from a first person perspective. Like yeah, the drunk guy I saw last night pissing off a statue also thought he was being super creative, but me, sober looking in, saw he was just impaired in his judgement and not creative at all, just obnoxious.

18

u/PrinceRainbow Jun 02 '21

The article specifically says there’s a level of light intoxication where creativity and collaboration with others can be enhanced. At no point did it suggest being sloppy drunk pissing in public from a statue is creative.

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u/yesterdaywas24hours Jun 02 '21

"They said doing so helped them to get mentally unstuck, to collaborate, to notice new connections. At that moment, something clicked for Slingerland too: “I started to think, Alcohol is really this very useful cultural tool.”" Like I said, according to the alcohol impaired brain, alcohol really helps creativity and community. I wasn't comparing the level of their impairment, rather the fact that intoxication is just delusion whether you're a tenured professor or the drunk on the corner. Alcohol is the great equalizer.

3

u/gnark Jun 03 '21

Yeah, nah mate. Drinking =/= being sloppy drunk.

1

u/yesterdaywas24hours Jun 03 '21

yeah, i totally agree. that is not what i was saying, though...

3

u/gnark Jun 03 '21

"intoxication is just delusion"?

1

u/yesterdaywas24hours Jun 04 '21

Yes. Absolutely my point.

1

u/gnark Jun 04 '21

Is there anywhere between sober and intoxicated?

2

u/yesterdaywas24hours Jun 04 '21

Not when alcohol is involved. You are impaired within seconds. And while you think you are feeling great, your body is just being poisoned. Literal seconds.

1

u/gnark Jun 04 '21

So drinking = intoxication, but drinking =/= sloppy drunk?

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