5 ms·

I don't think we're likely to replace alcohol any time soon - even with other relatively popular things like cannabis. The effects are more predictable and enjo

by arsome 5y ago

I don't think we're likely to replace alcohol any time soon - even with other relatively popular things like cannabis. The effects are more predictable and enjoyable by more people. There's even some evidence, perhaps of questionable quality, but it makes a good story at least, that we may have evolved to prefer alcohol despite its toxicity because it was a reliable source of safe drinking water. And even newer theories saying it may be related to the smell of ripe fruits leading to some primates getting a better source of energy. In any case human affinity for alcohol likely goes back very far.

thisisnico 5y ago
Additionally it is a source of energy. Alcohol is digestible. There is a caloric benefit.
messe 5y ago
> I don't think we're likely to replace alcohol any time soon - even with other relatively popular things like cannabis. The effects are more predictable and enjoyable by more people. Ease of manufacturing is also a major factor. All you need is sugar, water, yeast (which can come from a multitude of sources), and patience.
- romwell 5y ago
  Um, I don't see how that's easier than cannabis. With cannabis, all you need is... cannabis. No patience required. Sugar, historically, has not been available or even cheap.
  - messe 5y ago
    > Sugar, historically, has not been available or even cheap. Sugars are commonplace. If you can make bread, you can make beer.
    - romwell 5y ago
      Making bread required agricultural advances, and it's a complex, labor-intensive, multi-step process (as is anything that has to do with grains). Making alcohol by fermenting fruits is comparatively much easier, but then again, cultivating and harvesting fruits is a pretty laborious process. Then actually brewing beer is not that simple. Even today, with availability of source materials and technology, homebrewing is a rather involved hobby. Same with producing wine that's drinkable. On the other side, we have literally a weed that needs very little to grow, and requires nearly zero processing. I really see no comparison here. The theory that we started making alcohol for food safety/nutrition reasons makes the most sense to me.

by arsome 5y ago

thisisnico 5y ago

Additionally it is a source of energy. Alcohol is digestible. There is a caloric benefit.

messe 5y ago

> I don't think we're likely to replace alcohol any time soon - even with other relatively popular things like cannabis. The effects are more predictable and enjoyable by more people. Ease of manufacturing is also a major factor. All you need is sugar, water, yeast (which can come from a multitude of sources), and patience.

romwell 5y ago
Um, I don't see how that's easier than cannabis. With cannabis, all you need is... cannabis. No patience required. Sugar, historically, has not been available or even cheap.
- messe 5y ago
  > Sugar, historically, has not been available or even cheap. Sugars are commonplace. If you can make bread, you can make beer.
  - romwell 5y ago
    Making bread required agricultural advances, and it's a complex, labor-intensive, multi-step process (as is anything that has to do with grains). Making alcohol by fermenting fruits is comparatively much easier, but then again, cultivating and harvesting fruits is a pretty laborious process. Then actually brewing beer is not that simple. Even today, with availability of source materials and technology, homebrewing is a rather involved hobby. Same with producing wine that's drinkable. On the other side, we have literally a weed that needs very little to grow, and requires nearly zero processing. I really see no comparison here. The theory that we started making alcohol for food safety/nutrition reasons makes the most sense to me.