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Not sure where this article was really intending to go... both writers mentioned were living in an era where heavy drinking would have been more the norm in soc

Not sure where this article was really intending to go... both writers mentioned were living in an era where heavy drinking would have been more the norm in society than today. Would be more interesting to pick a group of modern writers and see if this stereotype persists. More generally, one could assume several things: 1) The stereotype of the tortured artist who falls back on whatever vice because they are misunderstood or don't fit in socially. 2) The economic challenges of a creative career leading to depression, with alcohol as a soothing balm. 3) The actual stress of the creative process, where the alcohol might act as a kind of catalyst akin to the "Balmer Peak" for programmers.

slowmovintarget 6y ago
For me, it's number three, and I can tell you, it takes a lot longer to relax and get into the flow when trying to write now that I'm dry (one year and counting). That's anecdata, of course. #1 and #2 are excuses for self-medication. Classical music is more effective and far healthier.
- watwut 6y ago
  I never found classical music soothing. It was not even meant to be soothing and it requires quite a loud of effort to find what you enjoy.
  - poulsbohemian 6y ago
    It doesn’t have words. This alone is a tremendous help. Ragas and (some) jazz are in the same category for me by virtue of being sound without words. If it has words in a language I understand it’s too distracting.
  - slowmovintarget 6y ago
    It isn't about it being soothing. From what I understand it's about classical music engaging your brain in specific ways that counter the depressive spiral. There are studies and data on this. It isn't about liking it, though study helps. (If you understand why Bach is remarkable you have an easier time liking his music. I'll warn you about Mozart, though, his compositions are hypersensitive to correct performance. If the performance isn't nearly perfect, it falls apart... anyway...) Video games can do this as well, if used properly. Set a goal, meet it, set another goal, meet it. Being active is the opposite of "ennui" or "malaise" (earlier poetic descriptions of depression). Regular doses of goal achievement can also reprogram the brain away from a depressive spiral.

slowmovintarget 6y ago

For me, it's number three, and I can tell you, it takes a lot longer to relax and get into the flow when trying to write now that I'm dry (one year and counting). That's anecdata, of course. #1 and #2 are excuses for self-medication. Classical music is more effective and far healthier.

watwut 6y ago
I never found classical music soothing. It was not even meant to be soothing and it requires quite a loud of effort to find what you enjoy.
- poulsbohemian 6y ago
  It doesn’t have words. This alone is a tremendous help. Ragas and (some) jazz are in the same category for me by virtue of being sound without words. If it has words in a language I understand it’s too distracting.
- slowmovintarget 6y ago
  It isn't about it being soothing. From what I understand it's about classical music engaging your brain in specific ways that counter the depressive spiral. There are studies and data on this. It isn't about liking it, though study helps. (If you understand why Bach is remarkable you have an easier time liking his music. I'll warn you about Mozart, though, his compositions are hypersensitive to correct performance. If the performance isn't nearly perfect, it falls apart... anyway...) Video games can do this as well, if used properly. Set a goal, meet it, set another goal, meet it. Being active is the opposite of "ennui" or "malaise" (earlier poetic descriptions of depression). Regular doses of goal achievement can also reprogram the brain away from a depressive spiral.