Leo Tolstoy on why people drink (2014) • Hacker News Board

Re: Leo Tolstoy on why people drink (2014)

#291

Post by jalapenos » Sat, Jul 01, 2023, 6:01 PM UTC

dh2022 wrote: post #270

jalapenos wrote: post #248

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like if I lived in Russia I'd have no difficulty meeting that number

That was my impression when I travelled in Moscow. Every where I looked there was a kiosk selling beer and little bottles of vodka - along with some tasty cold cuts. It was pretty hard not to stop by and get one of these little bottles of vodka. (On a side note, alcoholism in Moscow was on a different level then what I experienced. Middle aged men and women struggling to "walk" on their hands and legs at 10 in the mo…

I meant like that'd be my coping mechanism for living in such a place

Re: Leo Tolstoy on why people drink (2014)

#292

Post by happyjack » Sat, Jul 01, 2023, 6:47 PM UTC

sibeliuss wrote: post #126

thenoblesunfish wrote: post #114

Let's consider this quote "All human life, we may say, consists solely of these two activities: (1) bringing one’s activities into harmony with conscience, or (2) hiding from oneself the indications of conscience in order to be able to continue to live as before." Note that he has defined all of life as two points about "one" and "oneself". This is why I and I assume many others roll their eyes. Because Tolstoy, and…

I was as social as one could be while drunk and am as solitary as a hermit now that I'm sober. I miss the social life at times, but really, as Tolstoy remarks, it was just an escape from my true nature which I hadn't yet figured out. And what a mess that was. So yes, its a social thing, but is it good? It's something. There are other ways.

This comment really resonates with me. As someone who doesn't drink anymore, I've found how much of a hermit I am and how much I'm okay with that and how it's my true self. I really have few friends, and the ones I do I actually do activities with. My wife is the same way.

Re: Leo Tolstoy on why people drink (2014)

#293

Post by ThePowerOfFuet » Sun, Jul 02, 2023, 8:59 AM UTC

voidmain0001 wrote: post #234

thenoblesunfish wrote: post #114

Let's consider this quote "All human life, we may say, consists solely of these two activities: (1) bringing one’s activities into harmony with conscience, or (2) hiding from oneself the indications of conscience in order to be able to continue to live as before." Note that he has defined all of life as two points about "one" and "oneself". This is why I and I assume many others roll their eyes. Because Tolstoy, and…

To say that alcohol distills down to being able to socialize doesn’t fit. Socializing is not hard. Are you at a party? Approach people you don’t know the way you want to be approached. Wear a sincere smile, give some distance, give your name, ask them who they know at the party, respond with who you know. Most likely you will know the same people so chat about that. Say where you live then ask them where they live. L…

>Socializing is not hard.

lol.

>Are you at a party? Approach people you don’t know

LOL.

My man, if only you had a shred of an idea of how things really are for many people.

Re: Leo Tolstoy on why people drink (2014)

#294

Post by reverendjames » Mon, Jul 03, 2023, 4:38 AM UTC

Al-Khwarizmi wrote: post #178

thenoblesunfish wrote: post #114

Let's consider this quote "All human life, we may say, consists solely of these two activities: (1) bringing one’s activities into harmony with conscience, or (2) hiding from oneself the indications of conscience in order to be able to continue to live as before." Note that he has defined all of life as two points about "one" and "oneself". This is why I and I assume many others roll their eyes. Because Tolstoy, and…

That's one important reason, but there's another one that is even more neglected: it just... tastes good (for those of us who like it, of course). For example, as a 90 kg man, for me drinking a single 33cl bottle of beer has pretty much the same effect as drinking water, i.e., I don't feel anything at all (note that I don't drive, in that context it would probably still be relevant). So when I have a single beer with…

Bavaria brand non-alcoholic beer, pomegranate flavor. If you can find it, it's delicious. The regular flavor tastes more like beer but also tastes great.

Re: Leo Tolstoy on why people drink (2014)

#295

Post by Steve44 » Thu, Jul 13, 2023, 11:19 AM UTC

garyrob wrote: post #288

Steve44 wrote: post #283

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a glass of Louis XIII Cognac a few years ago and was really surprised at how much better it was than a VSOP. As you say the tail lasted so long and was so rich and complex, I didn't expect it to be that incredible.

Whoah! Haven't had one yet. Saving that until I make a lot more money! :) But on a more affordable level I recommend checking out https://www.cognac-expert.com . They do have the incredibly expensive stuff, but at a also a reasonable-price range that goes well beyond the standard Remy, Hennessy, etc. VSOP or even XO. A world to explore!

Looking at that link it's a scary and expensive hobby. Having said that my brother used to get my dad a £200-500 bottle of scotch for Christmas each year so definitely something to explore. Cheers.