How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization (2021)
Dec 28, 2023
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Edward Slingerland, a professor and philosophical hedonist, discusses how our taste for alcohol has shaped civilization and improved our social, creative, and pleasurable lives. Topics include the origins of civilization and beer, the complex relationship with alcohol, alcohol's role in enhancing creativity, the influence of alcohol on bar culture, and the use of alcohol to enhance relationships. The podcast also explores the power of alcohol in dancing and features a discussion on a captivating book.
Alcohol played a crucial role in the transition to settled agricultural life and the rise of civilizations.
Moderate alcohol consumption in social settings can enhance creativity, social bonding, and overall well-being.
Alcohol can stimulate creative thinking and the sharing of ideas, but responsible use is essential to avoid risks.
Deep dives
Alcohol's Role in the Origin of Civilization
The desire to make and consume alcohol may have been the catalyst for humans to settle down and start agriculture, leading to the rise of civilizations. Archaeological evidence suggests that early humans built monumental structures and held feasts centered around beer brewing. This contradicts the belief that agriculture came first, followed by accidental beer production. The desire for intoxication and the social bonding it facilitated played a crucial role in the transition to settled agricultural life.
Alcohol's Impact on Creativity and Social Interactions
Alcohol has been known to enhance creativity and decrease inhibitions, leading to more open and productive social interactions. It downregulates the prefrontal cortex, making it harder to lie and improving lie detection. Additionally, alcohol boosts endorphins and serotonin, making people more likable and improving interpersonal bonding. While excessive drinking and misuse of alcohol can lead to negative consequences, moderate alcohol consumption in social settings can have positive effects on creativity, social bonding, and overall well-being.
The Dangers of Distillation and Isolation
The developments of distillation and the isolation of pure alcohol have made alcohol more potent and potentially more dangerous. Traditionally, alcoholic beverages had a natural limit to their alcohol content. Distillation allows for the creation of highly concentrated spirits, such as vodka, with alcohol percentages in the 90s. This surpasses the optimal alcohol range for beneficial effects and increases the risks associated with alcohol consumption. It is important to recognize the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and to promote responsible and moderate drinking habits.
Alcohol and Creativity
Alcohol has long been associated with creativity, with evidence showing that it enhances our ability to think laterally and make creative connections. This improvement in creativity occurs at a blood alcohol content of about 0.08, which is equivalent to about two drinks. By relaxing the control exerted by the prefrontal cortex, alcohol allows us to see unusual things and make unique connections, which are crucial for creativity. This is why artists, poets, and even successful organizations like Google have recognized the benefits of alcohol in enhancing individual and group creativity.
Alcohol as a Cultural Technology
Alcohol can be seen as a cultural technology that allows us to temporarily regain the mind of a four-year-old while still retaining our adult capacities. By down-regulating cognitive control, alcohol helps stimulate creative thinking and the sharing of ideas. This is why it is important to have designated spaces, like Google's whiskey room, where individuals and teams can momentarily relax their cognitive control, engage in informal exchanges, and come up with innovative solutions. However, it is essential to use alcohol responsibly, ensuring moderation and avoiding risks such as drunk driving and excessive alcohol consumption.
Do we have alcohol to thank for civilization? The answer, according to Edward Slingerland’s new book, “Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization,” is a resounding yes. Edward, who’s a professor at the University of British Columbia and self-proclaimed “philosophical hedonist,” says that far from being an evolutionary fluke, our taste for alcohol is an evolutionary advantage — one that we’ve relied on for millennia to help us lead more social, creative, and pleasurable lives.
(This episode first aired in July 2021.)
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