[Golfingnut]

I noticed in another thread a reference that if you never drink, your smarter than the rest. I don't buy that. As a matter of fact, I say beware of anyone that can say, I NEVER drink alcohol. A beer or a glass of wine or a mix is part of the worlds social experience.

I support not drinking folks when they are alcoholics, for religious reasons and so on,


but,

Never in so many things that are normal excepted behavior by the majority can certainly be considered extreme. Beware of extremists. We are a democratic society with a mix of faiths, races, and even entertainment methods. Do your thing your way, but allow others the same courtesy.

[SantaClaus]

So you support diversity, but a necessary component of diversity is that there is always an "extreme", those who deviate from the "norm" the most. And of course your norm is different from my norm.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by SantaClaus

So you support diversity, but a necessary component of diversity is that there is always an "extreme", those who deviate from the "norm" the most. And of course your norm is different from my norm.

If you are in support of extremists I will fight for your right to be that way as long as you will show me the same respect for my views. But more to the point of this thread, is that

To drink in itself does not make a person less aware of the events happening around him/her than a tea toddler. I would think that the drinker, being open to more experiences than the person taking the NEVER extreme approach about drinking, would be better equipped with knowledge; therefore be more aware of true facts.

[ugotme]

I only drink on two occasions -

When I'm alone and when I'm with people !


(sorry - had to!)

[rubicon]

Lips that touch wine will never touch mine

[rayschic]

Ever hear of the Buffalo Theory ?

Why Drinking Beer Makes You Smarter | TheCareAndFeedingOfMan.com

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I noticed in another thread a reference that if you never drink, your smarter than the rest. I don't buy that. As a matter of fact, I say beware of anyone that can say, I NEVER drink alcohol. A beer or a glass of wine or a mix is part of the worlds social experience.

I support not drinking folks when they are alcoholics, for religious reasons and so on,


but,

Never in so many things that are normal excepted behavior by the majority can certainly be considered extreme. Beware of extremists. We are a democratic society with a mix of faiths, races, and even entertainment methods. Do your thing your way, but allow others the same courtesy.

The adjective 'extreme' is so overused today, and marginalizes those who have a different view from one's own. A person who blows themselves up to make a point is extreme, as is someone who kills others for the same reason. Most everyone else just follows a different drummer. I don't assume that those I intensely disagree with are evil, just those whose actions are also evil.

To drink or not drink? To each his own, if done responsibly.

[SantaClaus]

I'm really not trying to "poke the bear" here, but could argue that ostracizing people who are more different from you than you find comfortable limits your exposure to novel thought and more subject to group-think. I would be very leery of someone who wanted to exclude non-drinkers from their golf foursome or house party because they consider their position to be extreme. It damages both parties, IMO. BTW, I do drink personally, but I'm certainly under no illusion that it leaves me more enlightened. Finally, I'm fiercely supportive of "rights of citizens", even those whose activities are contrary to my religious and moral convictions.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by SantaClaus

I'm really not trying to "poke the bear" here, but could argue that ostracizing people who are more different from you than you find comfortable limits your exposure to novel thought and more subject to group-think. I would be very leery of someone who wanted to exclude non-drinkers from their golf foursome or house party because they consider their position to be extreme. It damages both parties, IMO. BTW, I do drink personally, but I'm certainly under no illusion that it leaves me more enlightened. Finally, I'm fiercely supportive of "rights of citizens", even those whose activities are contrary to my religious and moral convictions.

100% agree with what you say. I do not see any post above would cause you to say it.

Again, back to the point of this thread.

Non drinker can be dumb or smart. True or False
Drinker can be dumb or smart. True or False

My thought is as stated before, the drinker has the edge on smart due to the expanded experiences in life, all other aspects like gray matter being equal.

[SantaClaus]

Kinda off topic, but I just finished the Steve Jobs biography and was surprised to learn that he held no small contempt for creatives who had never tried LSD as he believed it left them severely hamstrung by their closed minds.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by SantaClaus

Kinda off topic, but I just finished the Steve Jobs biography and was surprised to learn that he held no small contempt for creatives who had never tried LSD as he believed it left them severely hamstrung by their closed minds.

And he was right.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Originally Posted by SantaClaus

I'm really not trying to "poke the bear" here, but could argue that ostracizing people who are more different from you than you find comfortable limits your exposure to novel thought and more subject to group-think. I would be very leery of someone who wanted to exclude non-drinkers from their golf foursome or house party because they consider their position to be extreme. It damages both parties, IMO. BTW, I do drink personally, but I'm certainly under no illusion that it leaves me more enlightened. Finally, I'm fiercely supportive of "rights of citizens", even those whose activities are contrary to my religious and moral convictions.

Well said Santa. I personally do not drink alcohol ( the last was 1 beer when I got married 6 years ago). Drinking just makes me even more stupid than I normally am; and sleepy. I say drink if you want to but respect my decision not to.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by LI SNOWBIRD

Well said Santa. I personally do not drink alcohol ( the last was 1 beer when I got married 6 years ago). Drinking just makes me even more stupid than I normally am; and sleepy. I say drink if you want to but respect my decision not to.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I do respect your non drinking lifestyle.

[Golfingnut]

For those on the fence about alcohol.

Alcohol And Health

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

My thought is as stated before, the drinker has the edge on smart due to the expanded experiences in life, all other aspects like gray matter being equal.

What expanded experiences? I don't drink but that doesn't stop me from experiencing everything a drinker does! Except maybe the hangover.