blckgrffn
Diamond Member
What really bugs the crap out of me is that so many people think that alcohol and drinking is somehow worse than some other things, namely smoking and marijuana.
For context, we have to realize that Western civilization was literally built on alcohol, mainly beer & wine. Earliest civilization *needed* beer to exist, as they crapped in the same water they drank out of. The alcohol along with the other vital vitamins, calories, ad antibodies provided the liquid bread that was sorely needed. The Romans and the Greeks were huge drinkers, as drinking and staying civilized was a measure of a mans character. Alcohol is healthy for you even now when consumed in reasonable quantities.
Taverns and bars as a place of socializing have been an invaluable asset in out past. Traditionally, business deals and all things that were considered ?good? happened in a public place over a drink. Drinking defines many societies, including our own, breaking down social status by who you drink with and what you drink. Alcohol consumption is also a critical economic component for our government, think of the millions of dollars that go into various taxes. Lastly, it is fun to drink with other people. Alcohol loosens the tongue and relaxes inhibition, helping any group of people who can share become more friendly and open with each other. It forms a common bond of experience.
What does smoking accomplish? Is it social? Hardly, and not even remotely close to how drinking can bring a large group of people together for enjoyment. It is unhealthy for yourself and those around you. Economically, it is of significant importance, by this is not something that is remotely historical like the economies of alcohol and will be decreasing in the future as the government buys out more and more tobacco farmers. Plus it is damn gross, you don?t see to many people wandering around at all times of the day, sucking down some alcohol and tossing their empties wherever they see fit.
Marijuana? sigh. Anway, not my area of expertise obviously and I should have known better than to bring it up.
Finally, it will be brought up how alcohol kills in accidents and makes people turn violent and stupid. I assert that this is simply American culture perverting an age old custom that is part of everyone?s heritage. The point of drinking is not to get sh!tfaced, rather it is to enjoy the company of others and to some degree establish yourself with peers in many ways. Drinking games are traditionally tests of who can best hold their liquor and still not show outward effects, not to see how much dumb crap can be pulled off in one night that you have to be reminded of later.
Cliffs:
* Alcohol is as old as civilization ~5,000 years and made it possible
* Consumption of alcohol is a public and social affair meant to be enjoyed
* Smoking and marijuana help no one and only kill/impair you in the long run
* Alcohol can be abused, which is perversely popular here at the moment
And most importantly:
* Alcohol consumption, when enjoyed properly, is a positive experience that contributes positively to social order, smoking offers no such benefit
If you read all this, thanks,
Nat
*************
*Feel free to poke fun at my lack of knowledge and experience with MJ 🙂
*Alcohol and smoking are incredibly different and good analogies between the two can't really be made. That was my initial motivation for posting this.
For context, we have to realize that Western civilization was literally built on alcohol, mainly beer & wine. Earliest civilization *needed* beer to exist, as they crapped in the same water they drank out of. The alcohol along with the other vital vitamins, calories, ad antibodies provided the liquid bread that was sorely needed. The Romans and the Greeks were huge drinkers, as drinking and staying civilized was a measure of a mans character. Alcohol is healthy for you even now when consumed in reasonable quantities.
Taverns and bars as a place of socializing have been an invaluable asset in out past. Traditionally, business deals and all things that were considered ?good? happened in a public place over a drink. Drinking defines many societies, including our own, breaking down social status by who you drink with and what you drink. Alcohol consumption is also a critical economic component for our government, think of the millions of dollars that go into various taxes. Lastly, it is fun to drink with other people. Alcohol loosens the tongue and relaxes inhibition, helping any group of people who can share become more friendly and open with each other. It forms a common bond of experience.
What does smoking accomplish? Is it social? Hardly, and not even remotely close to how drinking can bring a large group of people together for enjoyment. It is unhealthy for yourself and those around you. Economically, it is of significant importance, by this is not something that is remotely historical like the economies of alcohol and will be decreasing in the future as the government buys out more and more tobacco farmers. Plus it is damn gross, you don?t see to many people wandering around at all times of the day, sucking down some alcohol and tossing their empties wherever they see fit.
Marijuana? sigh. Anway, not my area of expertise obviously and I should have known better than to bring it up.
Finally, it will be brought up how alcohol kills in accidents and makes people turn violent and stupid. I assert that this is simply American culture perverting an age old custom that is part of everyone?s heritage. The point of drinking is not to get sh!tfaced, rather it is to enjoy the company of others and to some degree establish yourself with peers in many ways. Drinking games are traditionally tests of who can best hold their liquor and still not show outward effects, not to see how much dumb crap can be pulled off in one night that you have to be reminded of later.
Cliffs:
* Alcohol is as old as civilization ~5,000 years and made it possible
* Consumption of alcohol is a public and social affair meant to be enjoyed
* Smoking and marijuana help no one and only kill/impair you in the long run
* Alcohol can be abused, which is perversely popular here at the moment
And most importantly:
* Alcohol consumption, when enjoyed properly, is a positive experience that contributes positively to social order, smoking offers no such benefit
If you read all this, thanks,
Nat
*************
*Feel free to poke fun at my lack of knowledge and experience with MJ 🙂
*Alcohol and smoking are incredibly different and good analogies between the two can't really be made. That was my initial motivation for posting this.
