We are inveterate pleasure seekers, promiscuously grabbing little jolts of ecstasy whenever and wherever we can," believes Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Drawing on evidence from history, anthropology, literature, genetics, cognitive neuroscience, psychopharmacology and social psychology, Slingerland argues that our desire to get drunk "played a crucial role in sparking the rise of the first largescale societies. We would not have civilisation without intoxication." In Drunk, a punchy, witty, very easyreading book, he ponders just why humans crave a drink. By "enhancing creativity, alleviating stress, building trust, and pulling off the miracle of getting fiercely tribal primates to co-operate with strangers", intoxication has helped to solve several basic human challenges, he writes.
About four in every five New Zealand adults drink alcoholic beverages.
Denne historien er fra June 10-16 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra June 10-16 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
