Now this is fascinating (at least to me). The RAND Corporation has calculated the social cost of methamphetamine use in the United States for 2005 at $23.4 billion. You can read all about it here. The study’s authors are quick to admit that a lot of impacts are difficult (impossible?) to quantify, so the figure certainly has to be taken with some caution, but it is still interesting to see such a large monetary value assigned to a social problem.
Absolut vodka is well know for its iconic advertisements and the one below created some controversy a while back.
It shows the border prior to the Mexican-American war (1846-1848). I think its funny and likely an effective way to generate interest in vodka among well-heeled Mexicans, others did not share my opinion (scroll down to the comments).
The New York Times has a blog called Proof, it is what I envisioned this blog being, if I wrote regular and well-thought out posts. I recommend it to anyone who’s interest in alcohol goes beyond getting hammered periodically.
Primo beer has returned to Hawaii (my place of residence), although it is currently being bottled in California. I make note of this only because I have often been intrigued by the popularity of Heineken in Hawaii (seriously, why?!) and as I learned more about Primo’s history I started to wonder if it could become the beer of choice in Hawaii. Armed with this question as justification I tried one recently with my girlfriend and some other friends at a bar near our house. Its good but a bit sweet, its made from sugar cane juice so what else would you expect. And its certainly better than a Heineken.
What interests me more is the legitimacy to claiming a particular place that any product can command. What makes Primo distinctly Hawaiian, or more Hawaiian than other beers? Especially when local microbrews like Kona, Keoki and the Maui Brewing Company are turnning out better beers with deeper Hawaiian ties, including employing people who actually live in Hawaii. Some food for thought over your next serving of poke and beer.
A French cardiologists claims to have found a cure for alcoholism. This BBC article discusses how he self-treated himself with the muscle relaxer baclofen until he no longer had a desire to drink. It adds that this came after several failed attempts in conventional treatment programs. Its an interesting article and a treatment option with seemingly high promise, but I will remain cautiously optimistic for the time being.
A friend in my department sent me this recently. Its hard to find anything funny about drunk driving, but this is at least worth a chuckle.
The recent presidential election has shown that Republicans are not likely to win any popularity contests for a while. The election reminded me of this recent essay by Sally Satel on addiction that appeared in the New York Times. Dr. Satel is a psychiatrist and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where her colleagues and co-workers include Paul Wolfowitz and Newt Gringrich. Consequently, her politics and ideological moorings on addiction become quickly evident. I feel they are also deplorable, dangerous and contradictory.
The basis for her argument is that addiction to drugs and alcohol is discriminatory and saying that anyone can potentially develop an addiction does not reflect reality. What she fails to distinguish however are two elements. She offers no definition of these afflictions and fails to note that the external forces driving individuals into addiction, poverty, sexual abuse, neglect, depression and a host of others, can befall anyone.
Many individuals, even those suffering in an existence of neglect will not turn to substance use, just as a few living in privilege will. Addiction is not random, on that point she and I agree, but using that logic as a way to demonize users because of their social situation is wrong, and Dr. Satel should have recognized this to be true.
It is an irresponsible essay on a topic that demands responsibility from its experts.
I saw this commercial several years ago and have always found it fascinating.
First because the salaryman trying to relax after a hard day at the office has NINE glasses of whiskey! By my count as least and certainly enough to knock most of us on our ass. Second because it depicts a clear moment in Japan’s postwar history when advertisements were trying to educate and instill into a recently wealthy population the enjoyable aspects of afterwork drinking. The man is tired, alone and sullen. He enters the bar, drinks heavily, and leaves happy, flushed with life and vigor. The simplicity of the ad is part of its brilliance and the message could not be more clear.
This recent Reuters article gives an interesting look at the top ten global beer brands (for a more viewer friendly list click here). While US beer-snobs worldwide will undoubtably scoff at Budweiser, Miller and Coors dominating the top ten, it is interesting to infer some large scale generalizations from this list. It seems clear that light, watery beers with little in the way of distinguishable flavor are what the masses like. I’ve sampled every one on the list except Snow and can attest to their being little variety in taste (Corona and Brahma aren’t bad on a hot day however). Its also funny that Germany and Russia don’t have a signature brand that makes the top ten.
When I first arrived in Tokyo a little over a year ago I was broke and unsure of how to start or conduct my dissertation research. Consequently Nico and I spent more time than we should have in an ugly concrete “park” next to Ikebukuro station drinking cheap beer and people watching. During one of these meetings we stumbled upon this sign for a liquor store:
What I find interesting/funny is that the gentleman is dressed like he is ready for a Kabuki performance circa 1800 but he’s holding a very modern and not Japanese can of Budweiser. What was the owner thinking when he ordered this sign, because its clearly custom made? Nico suggested that it would make a good cover for any future book, now I just need to get the back story…
