3 ms·

So let's assume that we legalize alcohol for everyone: can I now buy beer and whisky and absinthe and whatnot complete with glasses from 7-Eleven? Are we seriou

by Swizec 10y ago

So let's assume that we legalize alcohol for everyone: can I now buy beer and whisky and absinthe and whatnot complete with glasses from 7-Eleven? Are we seriously proposing that people in masses would be able to responsibly consume these substances. If ther is doubt, maybe we add, similar to obtaining a drivers license, a class of responsible alcohol use for kids to their high school curriculum. A 12-step program from mild to mind blowing drunkness that runs from elementary to the high school graduation. Which begs the question, do we make them free for all ages, subject to parents discretion, or maybe no alcohol for minors? Or high schoolers? But tehn again, that would make it less-free. And yet the world did not end when alcohol became legal where it was before illegal. Minors aren't allowed to use it. People of certain ages are allowed to use it with parents discretion. Many schools have classes about alcoholism and responsible drinking. Most people are fine with that. On the other hand, many high schoolers and below are prescribed controlled doses of amphetamines. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

bduerst 10y ago
Alcohol is the fourth largest cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. each year. Given that it's chemically addicting and steeped in cultural history, I'm all for the Pandora's box approach of scratching it off as a loss and leaving it. We don't need more dangerous, chemically-addictive substances mass introduced to the public. At some point the priority of an individual's freedom to abuse substances and harm their selves is outweighed the lives they take from those around them in society at large. And no, Marijuana and MDMA are not chemically addictive.
- logfromblammo 10y ago
  I wonder how alcohol ranks as a cause of preventable pregnancies. Does that count as an offset against its death rate? If you toss alcohol, you will need to substitute some other mode of social interaction with fewer or less dangerous chemicals that will get folks out of the house and meeting new people. There are many, many people out there today who never would have existed if at least one of their ancestors had never become drunk on ethanol. You can't just chuck it without first supplanting it from all the niches it may currently fill.
  - bduerst 10y ago
    Sounds like a good use case for AR apps like Pokemon Go. I just heard testimony this morning from an 18 year old who made five new friends this weekend at a local park because they were all out hunting. Bars used to be a primary social scene, but that's changed drastically in the last decade and doesn't mean they need to preserved.

by Swizec 10y ago

bduerst 10y ago

Alcohol is the fourth largest cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. each year. Given that it's chemically addicting and steeped in cultural history, I'm all for the Pandora's box approach of scratching it off as a loss and leaving it. We don't need more dangerous, chemically-addictive substances mass introduced to the public. At some point the priority of an individual's freedom to abuse substances and harm their selves is outweighed the lives they take from those around them in society at large. And no, Marijuana and MDMA are not chemically addictive.

logfromblammo 10y ago
I wonder how alcohol ranks as a cause of preventable pregnancies. Does that count as an offset against its death rate? If you toss alcohol, you will need to substitute some other mode of social interaction with fewer or less dangerous chemicals that will get folks out of the house and meeting new people. There are many, many people out there today who never would have existed if at least one of their ancestors had never become drunk on ethanol. You can't just chuck it without first supplanting it from all the niches it may currently fill.
- bduerst 10y ago
  Sounds like a good use case for AR apps like Pokemon Go. I just heard testimony this morning from an 18 year old who made five new friends this weekend at a local park because they were all out hunting. Bars used to be a primary social scene, but that's changed drastically in the last decade and doesn't mean they need to preserved.