51–60 of 98 posts
* I enjoy the taste of certain alcoholic drinks.
* I do not enjoy messing too much with my brain chemistry.
Therefore I drink to experience interesting flavors and as a social lubricant. I do not drink enough to get buzzed nor do I wish to. So far it's working.
PS. I hope there are more people like me over there :)
I make sure to avoid drinking in any negative context, like after a hard day of work, to drown out feelings, to be able to relax etc. That just asks to become an addiction eventually.
I do not see much risk if you drink in a social context, as long as the social part is not just there to hide some other reasons.
Also, I personally do not think we should single out drinking or other drugs as a problematic behaviour. I think its always the reasons behind that behaviour that make it a problem or just a fun activity. Playing video games or watching TV for hours and hours could either be something you do for fun and truly enjoy, or as well something you use to avoid having to deal with your problems.
At the time of writing this comment, there is just one comment on this thread complaining about the amount of alcohol in company outings. That comment has been downvoted and is now marked [dead]. The question isn't about each individual's drinking problem. The question is about tech culture's drinking problem. And there's the answer: denial.
I think most companies and employers don't think like that because they simply assume everyone likes to drink which is incredibly closed minded. I've known other people, other than myself, who do not drink or cannot drink (because of unrelated health reasons) feel pressured to drink at work. I'm sure someone will say that one can refuse. That is true. One can indeed refuse, but not without negative consequences. One cannot refuse and still keep one's status and place. The refusal will be questioned, as if the refusal is the unnatural position, not the offer. I'm sure it's even more hellish for addicts who have to work at these places, but at least, they're quite used to unfair social stigma.
At the time of writing this comment, there is just one comment on this thread complaining about the amount of alcohol in company outings. That comment has been downvoted and is now marked [dead]. The question isn't about each individual's drinking problem. The question is about tech culture's drinking problem. And there's the answer: denial.
And where exactly is the proof that there is some drinking problem in tech? Just people who refuse to drink anything at all and complaining when one a day is healthy? I think it's likely more of a religious problem, or anti-social problem, honestly. If you are too lazy to go drink one with your peers, then you will suffer less social success and poorer network, but I think you are being intentionally lazy, so you rea…
If I'm not wrong, Phil Katz it's the most notorious case of programming + alcoholism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Katz#Alcoholism_and_death Bonus: https://xkcd.com/323
Jeez, what a guy. When I'm found dead in a room, I hope I'm holding something more manly than peppermint schnapps. "Somewhat influential halfwit logicrime found dead in hotel room, having drank himself to death. He was found on the floor with a bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand. He probably won't be missed, good riddance."
But, I also realised, it wasn't affecting my life (denial huh?). It isn't getting getting in the way of work. If I'm too hungover to work, I just call in sick. It hasn't changed me as a person. I consciously try not to break any laws while I'm drunk. (I was surprised how many people have a drink at the bar and hop in to their car and drive away; logic being, "I've just had one drink".) It hasn't affected my health... yet. I'm active, weight train three/four times a week and average 10K steps a day.
I also know I can't do this for long. But, some of the best moments in the past year have been, sitting on my couch, listening to Sinatra/ Cole Porter, relishing a cocktail that I made and just reflecting on life. Just observing the thoughts. There is just something beautiful about that, and I've never been evoke those emotions/feelings when sober.
Lifetime non-drinker here which I guess makes me even more aware of it at times. Many things are discussed "over drinks" and after a lifetime of ordering a "Diet Coke on the Rocks" I still get odd looks.
At the time of writing this comment, there is just one comment on this thread complaining about the amount of alcohol in company outings. That comment has been downvoted and is now marked [dead]. The question isn't about each individual's drinking problem. The question is about tech culture's drinking problem. And there's the answer: denial.
And where exactly is the proof that there is some drinking problem in tech? Just people who refuse to drink anything at all and complaining when one a day is healthy? I think it's likely more of a religious problem, or anti-social problem, honestly. If you are too lazy to go drink one with your peers, then you will suffer less social success and poorer network, but I think you are being intentionally lazy, so you rea…
> If you are too lazy to go drink one with your peers, then you will suffer less social success and poorer network, but I think you are being intentionally lazy, so you reap what you sow.
You think that someone is lazy because they don't want to drink? This is nuts. Is someone who doesn't share donuts in the morning also lazy? How about someone who doesn't eat pork? Are they lazy?
If this is really your attitude, if you really expect that people should feel obligated to drink, then you have a drinking culture problem.
At the time of writing this comment, there is just one comment on this thread complaining about the amount of alcohol in company outings. That comment has been downvoted and is now marked [dead]. The question isn't about each individual's drinking problem. The question is about tech culture's drinking problem. And there's the answer: denial.
I don't really do "company outings" or hang around though. I'd rather see my girlfriend (who doesn't drink). Maybe the problem is having your friend base being based around "work" instead of around a healthy shared interest, like cycling, a rock climbing gym, soccer, etc.?