4 ms·

It’s not a topic I’m particularly passionate about, but to take the opposing view: Millions of people enjoy visiting pubs every week and the overwhelming major

It’s not a topic I’m particularly passionate about, but to take the opposing view: Millions of people enjoy visiting pubs every week and the overwhelming majority don’t have an alcohol problem. It’s an important venue for social connections at a time when there are less and less of those. They haven’t been replaced with other venues for many people, particularly the elderley who already struggle with social isolation. They are also a big part of our culture and heritage at a time when that is also under threat from many angles. The industry covers tens of thousands of jobs and captures boat loads of taxes both directly and indirectly. And the annoying thing is that they are still viable small businesses, but the big pubcos and the taxes have squeezed the industry until it’s unviable to operate. I’m not a big pub person, but I think it’s a shame to lose one of the few remaining pastimes which haven’t been replaced with an app.

koolba 3y ago
> Millions of people enjoy visiting pubs every week and the vast majority don’t have an alcohol problem. Nah we all have an alcohol problem. It’s still worth it though because a beer objectively tastes better when it’s drank away from home.
idiotsecant 3y ago
Its quite possible (and probably healthier) to have 'third places' that don't involve alcohol.
- xkekjrktllss 3y ago
  Then it's also possible to have those places exist before shutting down the pubs.
- ajmurmann 3y ago
  Did we get third spaces that replaced the pubs though? The lack of third spaces is a real issue and I find myself longing for them. I don't see myself hanging out in the pub to socialize with strangers, but more third spaces and people using them more are one of the things that I think could greatly help the mental health epidemic and our social discourse in general.
  - baz00 3y ago
    Yeah there are plenty of third spaces. I go and play board games at my local cafe and library. Go on walks. Play sports (tennis, cycling). Have a book club. Drink way too much coffee.
    - true_religion 3y ago
      Outside of the coffee houses, I’m not sure any of those are a third space. A third spade is somewhere people can allow their real selves to show. It’s also commonly identified as a place where you can have revolutions grow, or have the dissenting come together. If the primary purpose of a space is a singular activity that overwhelms discussion of other things, then it’s not a third space. Sporting associations can be third spaces, but that isn’t the case if people take the sport seriously.

koolba 3y ago

> Millions of people enjoy visiting pubs every week and the vast majority don’t have an alcohol problem. Nah we all have an alcohol problem. It’s still worth it though because a beer objectively tastes better when it’s drank away from home.

idiotsecant 3y ago

Its quite possible (and probably healthier) to have 'third places' that don't involve alcohol.

xkekjrktllss 3y ago
Then it's also possible to have those places exist before shutting down the pubs.
ajmurmann 3y ago
Did we get third spaces that replaced the pubs though? The lack of third spaces is a real issue and I find myself longing for them. I don't see myself hanging out in the pub to socialize with strangers, but more third spaces and people using them more are one of the things that I think could greatly help the mental health epidemic and our social discourse in general.
- baz00 3y ago
  Yeah there are plenty of third spaces. I go and play board games at my local cafe and library. Go on walks. Play sports (tennis, cycling). Have a book club. Drink way too much coffee.
  - true_religion 3y ago
    Outside of the coffee houses, I’m not sure any of those are a third space. A third spade is somewhere people can allow their real selves to show. It’s also commonly identified as a place where you can have revolutions grow, or have the dissenting come together. If the primary purpose of a space is a singular activity that overwhelms discussion of other things, then it’s not a third space. Sporting associations can be third spaces, but that isn’t the case if people take the sport seriously.