Alcohol - when/why should it be consumed and so forth.

[wolfgang]

I drink pretty regularly, often to excess and have been doing so since I was around 16. It's just part of the culture here, if I abstained then I would have missed out on alot of great experiences with my friends. It's great being able to meet up in the morning and piece together the story of last night. Plus, being drunk just feels good.
It does annoy me greatly when people become aggressive or belligerent when they're drunk, but you can't stop only these people from drinking so you just put up with it and have a good time.

Alcohol certainly diminishes my judgement and I have made some pretty bad choices whilst drunk. Once I was at a party and my friends house was about 3 k's away, we were all pretty pissed and decided to drive. It was in the bush so we didn't have to use public roads or endanger anyone, but of course we made it about 800m and rammed into a tree. We were going fairly slow, but there were several sections where we almost slid out going around 80 or so and as I wasn't wearing a seatbelt I'm sure I could have been seriously injured.
But anyway, you live and you learn and now it's just a funny story....

[jean-luc]

I don't drink at all, and I have no intent to. I have an aversion to anything that reduces my judgment and awareness, likely as a result of my strong interest and focus on mastery of the mind.

I'm just a freak like that, though.

[NicNac14]

Well...

I've been pissed and wasted a few times...
I Didn't like it...
But...
Getting whoozy and a bit drunk doesnt affect me enough to do stupid thing...
... i Just Enjoy life....
Just don't get wasted.....

[Keron]

I'm with Jiggerjaw and Atilla: I'm perfectly aligned with the Bible on this.

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

It doesn't say "Thou must not drink." It explains that some people (like Dave, apparently :p) can handle the drink quite fine. More others cannot, and would lose control of what they're doing or thinking. If you can handle it, go ahead; just don't lose your judgment, and depending on how prone you are to drink, that just may include total abstinence.

I'm under 21, but I think once I'm older I may have a bit of red wine if it's not too expensive, just to join the French paradox. :D Otherwise... NAAAAAHHHHHHHH

[TribulatioN]

Culturally, some people drink red wine, for health reasons. So I'm fine with that, but when it is abused, then I say that they should abuse it in a safe environment.

It is illegal for me to drink. I am not supposed to talk about illegal things.

[mintnut]

Anyone who condemns alcohol based on the actions of others is an idiot. Alcohol is one of the best parts of growing up. You get to go and get pissed and have a fricking brilliant night out. And no, you can\t have the same amount of fun whilst sober, as all your inhibitions are still there, once drunk, you're up for most anything, it makes parties a lot more interesting. Plus, I've just had freshers week and got off my head every night, I didn't kill anyone. I missed a few lectures though...

[wolfgang]

That's a healthy attitude haha.

I'm finishing highschool in about three weeks and plan to be comfortably paralytic for some time.

[Kablizzy]

Anyone who condemns alcohol based on the actions of others is an idiot. Alcohol is one of the best parts of growing up. You get to go and get pissed and have a fricking brilliant night out. And no, you can\t have the same amount of fun whilst sober, as all your inhibitions are still there, once drunk, you're up for most anything, it makes parties a lot more interesting. Plus, I've just had freshers week and got off my head every night, I didn't kill anyone. I missed a few lectures though...

Jesus mother-fucking Christ, kid.

[Jiggerjaw]

Anyone who condemns alcohol based on the actions of others is an idiot. Alcohol is one of the best parts of growing up. You get to go and get pissed and have a fricking brilliant night out. And no, you can\t have the same amount of fun whilst sober, as all your inhibitions are still there, once drunk, you're up for most anything, it makes parties a lot more interesting. Plus, I've just had freshers week and got off my head every night, I didn't kill anyone. I missed a few lectures though...

You sounded like Guiseppi, just then.

Just saying.

[jean-luc]

Anyone who condemns alcohol based on the actions of others is an idiot. Alcohol is one of the best parts of growing up. You get to go and get pissed and have a fricking brilliant night out. And no, you can\t have the same amount of fun whilst sober, as all your inhibitions are still there, once drunk, you're up for most anything, it makes parties a lot more interesting. Plus, I've just had freshers week and got off my head every night, I didn't kill anyone. I missed a few lectures though...

That's perhaps a little... extreme..?

[origami_alligator]

I think a certain personality type prone to self-reflection takes more care to do so while drunk.

I completely agree.
I think the same can be applied to taking drugs as well. If you're doing drugs for self-reflection it can be a wonderful experience, but when you get to the point where you're taking drugs because you're trying to escape the reality of some situations then it becomes a crutch and makes one quite depressed. EDIT: NOT THE HARDCORE DRUGS, THE SOFTCORE DRUGS. You can't find self-reflection in immensely addictive drugs. It just isn't there.

I have experienced both self-reflection and the want to escape. The latter is hard to realize at first but becomes more apparent over time and it just depressed me when in a mental state other than sober.
I can enjoy social drinking just fine, only I have a friend who likes to be a bit pushy with how much I don't consume. Be glad I'm drinking with you at all, ass.

[Condog]

I do like get smashed every so often with my friends. Sometimes at parties, other times at one of our houses while playing Halo or something. I've started to enjoy it a lot more lately, but i've never got so fucked that I start munting everywhere. Interestingly enough, everyone says I get way more anxious when I drink. Like, super anxious. And they yell at me more. A lot more. Hmm.....

So anyway, it's fine to drink, just don't do anything lethal or stupid. Unless it's really, really funny, then just go for it.

[blue_tetris]

Anyone who condemns alcohol based on the actions of others is an idiot. Alcohol is one of the best parts of growing up. You get to go and get pissed and have a fricking brilliant night out. And no, you can\t have the same amount of fun whilst sober, as all your inhibitions are still there, once drunk, you're up for most anything, it makes parties a lot more interesting. Plus, I've just had freshers week and got off my head every night, I didn't kill anyone. I missed a few lectures though...

You sounded like Guiseppi, just then.

Just saying.

Who is Guiseppi? Is this some kind of in-joke?

[Etz]

I think getting drunk has no sense. Those 3-4 four times it happened to me, it was just unnnecessary. I don't mind if my friends are drinking alcohol (to excess) - like they do it right now - but what I hate, is the fact, that it's almost part of the 'social survival'. I've seen guys/girls who just get ignored because they don't like alcohol, and this is the most stupid thing in my culture. The one who drinks is cool, the one who drinks more is cooler, and the one who just dislike consuming alcohol aren't part of a particular group they used to belong to, even though they were quite popular. I have to agree with te content of Jiggerjaws first post here.

[Zora_S_Kenneth]

Drugs are the wrong way to go about getting pleasure, as a general statement.

Alcohol, biologically, is a drug. It impedes various functions of the brain, but provides some dopamine in return. It's a simple way of getting happy, but getting happy though drugs, in my opinion, isn't a good idea. A better way of relaxing is sitting down with a nice friend and just chatting about those smoking hot college girls or something. If a friend is unavailable or if you ARE a smoking hot college girl, then figure something else out.

And as for the health benefits of wine: just eat grapes and repeat the "happy" procedure. Don't resort to artificial means of pleasure when it takes away so much of your mental capacity!

[jean-luc]

Drugs are the wrong way to go about getting pleasure, as a general statement.

Alcohol, biologically, is a drug. It impedes various functions of the brain, but provides some dopamine in return. It's a simple way of getting happy, but getting happy though drugs, in my opinion, isn't a good idea. A better way of relaxing is sitting down with a nice friend and just chatting about those smoking hot college girls or something. If a friend is unavailable or if you ARE a smoking hot college girl, then figure something else out.

And as for the health benefits of wine: just eat grapes and repeat the "happy" procedure. Don't resort to artificial means of pleasure when it takes away so much of your mental capacity!

There are probably smoking hot college guys too. Depends on the college.

Anyway, agreed.

[wolfgang]

I think a certain personality type prone to self-reflection takes more care to do so while drunk.

I completely agree.
I think the same can be applied to taking drugs as well. If you're doing drugs for self-reflection it can be a wonderful experience, but when you get to the point where you're taking drugs because you're trying to escape the reality of some situations then it becomes a crutch and makes one quite depressed. EDIT: NOT THE HARDCORE DRUGS, THE SOFTCORE DRUGS. You can't find self-reflection in immensely addictive drugs. It just isn't there.

Completely agree. Weed in particular allows you to retreat inside your own head and think without any distraction, you can basically mesmerise yourself with your own though process when you're high - if that makes any sense.

Drugs are the wrong way to go about getting pleasure, as a general statement.
Alcohol, biologically, is a drug. It impedes various functions of the brain, but provides some dopamine in return. It's a simple way of getting happy, but getting happy though drugs, in my opinion, isn't a good idea. A better way of relaxing is sitting down with a nice friend and just chatting about those smoking hot college girls or something. If a friend is unavailable or if you ARE a smoking hot college girl, then figure something else out.

Except that 'talking about the smoking hot college girls' is incomparable to being drunk or high, it's not just that drugs make you happy, they alter your perceptions.

[Zora_S_Kenneth]

Except that 'talking about the smoking hot college girls' is incomparable to being drunk or high, it's not just that drugs make you happy, they alter your perceptions.

That's what's so dangerous about them, their ability to skew perspectives. Many become addicted to this because of the pleasurable side effects, but never realize the far-reaching consequences of temporary or permanent mental impairment. Even I can't list them all, but in general:

• Aggressive Behavior
• Impaired Reflexes and Judgement
• Heightened Sexual Tendencies
• Morality Reduction
• Reduced Motor Co-ordination

There are many ways of obtaining pleasure, shorting or jamming synapses shouldn't be on the list.

[Etz]

Using drugs, alcohol, etc.. whatever to get happy is pretty sad. I don't need this to have fun, to be happy, but once you are addicted to it, you can't do without. And that's one of the silliest things about drinking: those people think, they are the happiest on the world, or the best on the world, bt in my opinion their behaviour is pretty sad.

[DemonzLunchBreak]

Etz, could you be more clear about which aspects of drinking are sad, and why? I don't really see an explanation of that assertion anywhere.

Also, you act as though addiction to alcohol is inevitable. I've heard different.

[wolfgang]

Except that 'talking about the smoking hot college girls' is incomparable to being drunk or high, it's not just that drugs make you happy, they alter your perceptions.

That's what's so dangerous about them, their ability to skew perspectives. Many become addicted to this because of the pleasurable side effects, but never realize the far-reaching consequences of temporary or permanent mental impairment. Even I can't list them all, but in general:

• Aggressive Behavior
• Impaired Reflexes and Judgement
• Heightened Sexual Tendencies
• Morality Reduction
• Reduced Motor Co-ordination

There are many ways of obtaining pleasure, shorting or jamming synapses shouldn't be on the list.

I was merely pointing out that your suggestion for alternatives was ridiculous, much like if I wanted to go skateboarding and you said it was irresponsibly dangerous and that crocheting would be a better use of my time.

[DemonzLunchBreak]

By the way, Zora, what the balls is "morality reduction"?

[jean-luc]

By the way, Zora, what the balls is "morality reduction"?

Individuals who are under the influence are more likely to commit crimes of abuse to animals - acts that the individuals would normally consider immoral and wrong, but do not think so much about when drunk. This is one example of what may be termed 'moral reduction'.

[Zora_S_Kenneth]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm
This answers all your questions about talking about talking about college girls for pleasure. (Although, wolfgang, relating to your post, I wonder if crocheting isn't better than skateboarding... hmm...)

And jean-luc is right. "Moral Reduction" is when someone commits an act that is by non-intoxicated human standards "immoral". That's what I meant.

And I stand by my claims. People who perform acts of personal artificial intoxication on a regular basis and don't feel morally hurt by it... I usually stay away from that type. Except Dave, he's fine anyway. And for those who use drugs on an irregular basis: still no, but at least you have some self control.

[crescor]

In my country it's legal from the age of 16, but due to the lack of good controll, much people drink way sooner.
I'm totally fine with that.
Beer is awesome.