Alcohol is the driver of a large chunk of unmeditated crimes
But for us to tackle this, "elite" culture has to take a stance against alcohol, as they do against cigarettes
But elites are not leading the way with strict teetotalling.
We "normalize" social drinking
But for us to tackle this, "elite" culture has to take a stance against alcohol, as they do against cigarettes
But elites are not leading the way with strict teetotalling.
We "normalize" social drinking
The stigma against drinking is practically non-existent.
Drinking is viewed as v much OK. Something even "cool" as long as one engages in it in "moderation"
Drinking is viewed as v much OK. Something even "cool" as long as one engages in it in "moderation"
Now I am not dismissing that view necessarily
But it sends out the signals to the larger society that drinking is just as harmless as eating samosa, or potato chips
Just another indulgence
But it sends out the signals to the larger society that drinking is just as harmless as eating samosa, or potato chips
Just another indulgence
In my own social set, I am one of the very few strict teetotallers
It is getting pretty rare to encounter that breed among the yuppie crowd, increasingly among both genders
It is getting pretty rare to encounter that breed among the yuppie crowd, increasingly among both genders
The counter to this will be
Hey..don't be so narrow minded. Drinking is perfectly fine in "moderation"
But people are not "moderate".
Especially not when the culture percolates deeper among the less discriminating sections of society
It is for the elites to set the standards
Hey..don't be so narrow minded. Drinking is perfectly fine in "moderation"
But people are not "moderate".
Especially not when the culture percolates deeper among the less discriminating sections of society
It is for the elites to set the standards
Elites are setting the behavioral standard in other respects quite admirably
E.g. The revulsion that has developed against cigarettes is in large measure the work of elites! They have made it uncool!
Same with the elite promotion of "work-out"/ gym culture - mostly a good thing
E.g. The revulsion that has developed against cigarettes is in large measure the work of elites! They have made it uncool!
Same with the elite promotion of "work-out"/ gym culture - mostly a good thing
They need to do the same w.r.t. Alcohol.
When you want to celebrate a project, go for a team dinner. Or a movie.
Instead of a Happy Hour at the bar.
When you want to celebrate a project, go for a team dinner. Or a movie.
Instead of a Happy Hour at the bar.
I don't advocate Prohibition
That would be silly. An administrative nightmare. And it usually doesn't work too well
But what one does advocate is -
promotion of a culture that looks askance at alcohol
That would be silly. An administrative nightmare. And it usually doesn't work too well
But what one does advocate is -
promotion of a culture that looks askance at alcohol
