Editorials

My One Straight Edge

By Jeff Ginger
Last Updated 12/13/05 with a new response as of 02/09

When people meet me they often times get two interpretations. The first, previously most common, was that I'm a strong Christian, possibly moderately conservative, who never drinks, smokes, swears, and wouldn't dream of having sex. The other 'take' people get more often these days, is that I'm one of those crazy liberals who probably goes out and parties with the best of them - a socialist, feminist, sexpert, semi-jock who plays volleyball constantly and rollerblades everywhere and neglects his homework.

Both, interestingly enough, aren't completely true. Just about everyone associates people who don't drink with strong Christian conservatives or people who've had a tragedy or alcoholic in their family. Or sometimes the social recluses who are really introvert, quiet, and withdrawn. None of these are reasons for me. I'm not even one of those people that carefully inspects every substance that enters their body with a 20 point checklist and comprehensive evaluation system.

I simply don't have the desire to drink. I mean first off nearly all of the shit tastes like... well shit, but that's not a primary reason for me at all, just a sealing deterrent. No the real deal is that I don't think I should need it or even want it. We all go through life having experiences, laughter, smiles, tragedies, whatever, it's a beautiful blend of emotion that truly tells us we're alive. I want all of that to be natural, pure, undiluted. Simply said, I think for me personally, my experiences of life are more authentic when they're not under the influence of any sort of alcohol (or drug). I don't need booze to release my confidence or sexuality. I deal with my depression with introspection, exercise, and going to friends, not a bottle. And I never would purposely drink so much of something that I'd have to throw up, all for the sake of being a certain silly age? Really, I can act drunk if I want to act crazy, or I can be excited and run around on my own natural motivation. My friend Tom runs around with a Vodka bottle filled with water at parties, and acts just as crazy or drunk as anyone I've ever seen.

Oh yeah, I also save a lot of money by not drinking. (You know, so I can fall prey to consumerism and buy a new video card)

I do want to make it clear, however, that I think the action of drinking is not right for me, and not the best choice or most authentic way to experience life. I'm not saying people who drink are evil or alcoholics or whatever. I do, however, think that almost no college students drink responsibly. What's drinking responsibly?

A glass of wine with dinner. A few beers while you kick back and play poker or watch TV with friends. A toast of Champaign at a wedding or on New Years. Drinking what people seem to think is a symbol of Jesus in church. You know, amounts of alcohol that give you a little rise, but aren't blowing your body out of whack.

My roommate Ben seems to be one of the best examples. He never drinks when he's depressed. His decision right there already reflects a maturity about it that many don't have. He watches how much he has and does his best to keep track of his level of intoxication as he goes. Yeah he might get buzzed but he won't ever get violent and he wouldn't ever dream of doing something as stupid as driving. He would never think about being more aggressive with girls or trying to take advantage of anyone (either by himself being drunk or by getting them drunk). Long story short, he's not becoming a different person with the aid of alcohol - or unleashing parts of himself that he wouldn't ever normally expose. [Edit for you Gid] That's probably the most important part. As an added bonus he's not tied to that whole penis wars who can out drink who bullshit.

I know we can all agree without question - driving drunk, or rape as a result of being drunk are irresponsible behaviors. I think they're downright terrible.

Before you say it, I do have a rebuttal. "Jeff how can you know it's bad if you've never tried??"

We all refuse to do things without trying them - if they look uncomfortable or undesirable we won't do them, simply put. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You've probably never walked to class on your hands. It looks like it could be a lot of fun. What, you don't want to? Oh right, yeah you'd look stupid and your head would hurt after you fell on it... it's not something that's particularly super dangerous and might even have some muscle building benefits - but bottom line it doesn't look to be something desirable for most of us. Thus we choose not to do it. Nothing wrong with that.

That being said I do think it's great to be brave and try things in life - in my opinion it's cooler to try the things that aren't as popular as drinking - like say actively and overtly caring about people... maybe try giving a person you know a non-appearance based compliment out of the blue.

Finally, is this last little tidbit on age. I'm 22 and I don't drink. *Gasp* yes I know such a rebel. Effectively for me it just means I can be at any party I want to, be holding alcohol or whatever and not have to worry about getting in trouble for it (unless I'm serving it to minors, fat chance). I think the drinking age should be 19, however. It already effectively is - at least on most college campuses. Once you can get into bars that covers the last alcohol provision opportunity in a college community (frats and apartments have no age limit). You're old enough to die or vote I think you're old enough to drink. We drop people in college with the intent to let them become independent people - why have this stupid rule about being 21 - I don't think it even acts as a deterrent for more than 5% of the population... if even that. The reason I say 19 and not 18 is because I don't want any high schoolers caught in the mix. I still do want to try to keep alcohol out of high school - a time that I don't really consider kids adults yet.

So this, is my creed. Here's to enjoying life in the purest.

And I know you're all going to respond back to me and explain how you don't drink all that much. Everyone always gets defensive in reaction to this stuff, funny little observation. I know you might not drink that much. I still don't think it's a wise decision, just like smoking or tanning. But then again I rollerblade dangerously through traffic. Pick your dangers, risks, and stupid things to do, I spose. Simply said I don't think you need alcohol and think my life is better off for it.

Though not in official text form Gideon did respond to this, exclaiming he thinks I was implying that people transform or become different people when they drink. Without a doubt it varies by person and circumstance, we all agree on that. But I really do think that it allows for parts of people to come to the surface that we normally never see. Not that they turn into a green goblin or something, just that many people, especially introvert passive ones, unlock parts of themselves not ordinarily seen by their peers. Some argue this is good - I'd just prefer these people learn to find this confidence without drinking.

Ben had an interesting comment on the biological impacts of alcohol on women:

Testosterone is manufactured in both the ovaries and adrenal gland of a healthy adult woman. Some of this hormone is retained an used as a signal throughout women's bodies, working on their brains and muscles for starters. The rest of the testosterone, however, is shunted to the ovaries where it is taken one step further and made into estrogen. This process is carried out by the enzyme Aromatase whose activities are slowed down by the presence of the ethanol (Barcardi). Therefore, after enough drinking, a female that would normally be producing mostly estrogen for the evening may find herself making more testosterone than she's used to.

And the side effects: Agressiveness, Emotional Upheaval, and Amorousness ("Where're my condoms?")

Thanks for stopping by Ben's Biology Bazaar.

An updated response, from Feb 2009.

I'm not even one of those people that carefully inspects every substance that enters their body with a 20 point checklist and comprehensive evaluation system.

Critical of others' standards in an essay about how no one should criticize you for yours?

Yeah I think you were the type of person I had in mind when I was writing that “20 point checklist” thing at the time. I do think it’s good to establish a balance of how much we stick to our ideals – like environmentalism is good, but to the point of killing all humans for the sake of saving the planet might be a poor idea. If I were to word it in another way, I see drastically critical regulation of substance intake as compromising of happiness – but for myself. At the time I would have said that keeping alcohol out of my body wasn’t inhibiting happiness. Now I’d say I’m not sure, and that if other people want to have a 20 point checklist, then great! So long as they don’t really hurt others or themselves…

I simply don't have the desire to drink. I mean first off nearly all of the shit tastes like... well shit, but that's not a primary reason for me at all, just a sealing deterrent.

Assuming you know by now that this is crap, how would you know "nearly all" of it tastes bad? Duh.

And yeah, you’re right, at the time I didn’t really know how it tasted. With a bit broader of an experience now I can say that most alcoholic beverages I’ve tasted have been pretty nasty, but I imagine that’s not true of all of them.

No the real deal is that I don't think I should need it or even want it. We all go through life having experiences, laughter, smiles, tragedies, whatever, it's a beautiful blend of emotion that truly tells us we're alive.

Experiences like seeing what different substances do to your system-- legal and temporary ones? Having altered sensory input is arguably a "beautiful blend" of sensation you'd otherwise miss out on the experience of.

I want all of that to be natural, pure, undiluted.

All? Not even a couple of hours out of your life? Do you drink anything with caffeine? I actually don't know this.

The whole argument about “naturally” experiencing life is probably bollocks. There is no definitive line. That said I still don’t think I’d be interested in drugs, maybe just because they may be reflective of a lifestyle I don’t wish to be a part of, or that I’m afraid of what might happen to me if I get into them. They’re (drugs, alcohol) generally not good for your health, which also makes me less interested.

I do drink Mountain Dew, unfortunately. I’d like to drink less, but this would require sleeping more. I don’t think the Caffeine in it impacts me much, but in a broader scope there are hormones in milk, sugar additives in the McDonalds I had a year ago, vitamins in my tap water, whatever, there’s no “natural” like I was talking about it then.

I deal with my depression with introspection, exercise, and going to friends, not a bottle.

As long as you mean when you're down, not referring to actual depression, because then you're implying people who are clinically depressed just need to pull themselves together, which is insulting.

And yes, I didn’t mean chronic depression. I don’t have a lot of understanding of it, though, because I have a lot of sway over my attitudes and feelings. I do think alcohol is a bad solution to chronic depression too, though.

I do want to make it clear, however, that I think the action of drinking is not right for me, and not the best choice or most authentic way to experience life.

You're actually saying two things-- that it's not right FOR YOU (legitimate) and then that anyone who does drink is not experiencing life authentically (judgment).

I'm not saying people who drink are evil or alcoholics or whatever. I do, however, think that almost no college students drink responsibly.

Including grad students? Including students at other colleges? In other dorms? What's your sample set?

My sample set at the time was the drinking I observed at the large universities that my friends and I attended. I think I’d still venture to say that there are some pretty strong social norms encouraging (what I’d call) unreasonable drinking at big universities in the US. I didn’t know a lot about grad student drinking habits at the time. I don’t think most of them partake in what I see as this sort of silly kegstand-“Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day” reactionary recklessness. Most grad students drink more than I’d like to see in my ideal peer group, but that’s okay, I’d also like to see people be better about answering email. There are social norms that aren’t quite what I like them to be but that aren’t enough to have a fit over.

What's drinking responsibly?

Why is this responsible drinking? These are interesting gauges. Are you choosing non-vulnerable situations? Amounts of alcohol that you assume are low enough for no one to get drunk or buzzed off of? It's interesting, because I would assume drinking responsibly is anything that doesn't harm yourself or others. That can be drinking three shots at a party or whatever other college trope you're looking at, depending on other factors. Also, fuck victim-blaming, so don't even try (which I wouldn't assume you'd try, but is the usual way this conversation would go).

Also, why is giving yourself a little rise responsible if the important thing is to live completely purely and authentically and not to need any influential substances? Wouldn't any level of intoxication be equally bad? I'm just being a jerk here.

I was attempting to give sort of easy-to-relate-to examples with my measures. I don’t think I could give a metric on a numeric scale, but instead tie irresponsibility to context. I’m not sure what you mean by victim blaming. Look, think of it this way – people make choices how to spend their time, based on priorities and value systems. I’d like to see alcohol and the extreme partying, violence, rape, drunk driving, and self-destructive behavior associated with it happen less (or not at all). I wish people prioritized other activities and better knew that they’re able to achieve/find many of the rewards and states they seek with alcohol without it. In short, I wish people believed in themselves more and saw more value in creation, creativity, helping others, etc… Not that any of those things are necessarily devoid of alcohol, just that the materialistic drunkenness-ridden world I see embodied in (big) college drinking life doesn’t really reflect them to me. It’s much the same way I wish social workers received more pay or more priority than big oil company executives. Our society has structured values and norms, and I often argue that they should be rearranged or renegotiated, much the same way I expect you do. But who knows – those same social workers might spend their weeks helping people and saving lives and then go get absolutely trashed and destroyed on the weekend. I think I’d still say that I think drinking is dumb and that I wish they did something else, like art.

This is bleeding into a larger issue to debate on another day – I do wish people had more of a consciousness towards helping others and interest in perspective sharing. I’m interested and invested in people producing social good, and I do have some defined ideas of what this means. This is a value and a bias and gets me into trouble.

Re: minor rise vs. totally authentic experience, I didn’t articulate it well – at the time I meant that I personally wanted totally authentic and thought that was ideal, but that responsible drinking as acceptable. Currently I don’t buy my authentic experience pitch, so…

My roommate Ben seems to be one of the best examples. He never drinks when he's depressed. His decision right there already reflects a maturity about it that many don't have. He watches how much he has and does his best to keep track of his level of intoxication as he goes. Yeah he might get buzzed but he won't ever get violent and he wouldn't ever dream of doing something as stupid as driving. He would never think about being more aggressive with girls or trying to take advantage of anyone (either by himself being drunk or by getting them drunk). Long story short, he's not becoming a different person with the aid of alcohol - or unleashing parts of himself that he wouldn't ever normally expose. [Edit for you Gid]

So instead you should keep negative parts of yourself and your character completely hidden or repressed forever? How can one identify essential problems (violent tendencies, for example) without recognizing them?

I still think Ben is a good example of a responsible drinker. I don’t know if I agree with that part about exposing parts that wouldn’t normally come out… though again I’d like people to feel empowered in many circumstances, not just when they’re drinking (or wearing makeup or in a suit or on drugs or whatever). Ben is a massively introspective individual, which may be how he can work to recognize problems. I don’t think you need alcohol to do this, though I agree, repression sucks.

Before you say it, I do have a rebuttal. "Jeff how can you know it's bad if you've never tried??"

These are valid points, I think the difference is you being moralizing to the people who do choose to do it. Your hypothetical situation isn't in the same context.

I wish I could walk to class on my hands.

Finally, is this last little tidbit on age. I'm 22 and I don't drink. *Gasp* yes I know such a rebel.

Oh man Jeff, you're so damn cocky in this entire essay. SO, so cocky. You are so incredibly proud of yourself, and it shows so much in your writing. I kind of love how transparent it is, though I doubt you even really feel this way.

Yeah I’m sorry about the ego. I’d say that it was my mentality and position at the time, which is in part true, but I also think I need to work on the cocky issue in general. At the time I took myself completely seriously. I most certainly don’t anymore. As it’s said, “Life is far too important to be taken seriously.” I’d say this stuff isn’t representative of my best writing, and it certainly isn’t, but then I’m not really sure what is. Maybe one of the ones where I’m going to town on Tom about religion or the premarital sex one (a little more updated?).

God I have to stop reading over these. How did someone not beat me to a bloody pulp with a baseball bat?

First of all, there are better arguments for a lower drinking age. Second, this is a weird topic to kind of stick on the end of a detailed-ly argued series of points, like you're doing it just to be clever and not connecting it with any previous points (you mentioned problems with binge drinking on campuses, for example, and then not addressing that here).

I agree, the drinking age 19 thing was barely flushed out. I think I’d still agree, though I’m not sure. That’s a pretty big decision to make, and I feel as if I’m not all that well qualified to make it. There was some effort to open up discourse on the issue in regards to college campuses – I think that sort of thing would be a better venue to come about a decision. (yes, key difference here between determining a policy vs. advocating for the way I would advocate others behave; law forces people to do things, perspectives convince or influence them, and even though these things are not strictly different [coercion] I think it’s a spectrum. Another good topic to discuss).

And I know you're all going to respond back to me and explain how you don't drink all that much. Everyone always gets defensive in reaction to this stuff, funny little observation.

Because you're not preemptively defensive AT ALL in this essay.

I know you might not drink that much. I still don't think it's a wise decision, just like smoking or tanning. But then again I rollerblade dangerously through traffic. Pick your dangers, risks, and stupid things to do, I spose. Simply said I don't think you need alcohol and think my life is better off for it.

The essay is indeed defensive. I do think there’s an underlying social norm going on there. When I’ve mentioned to people in the past that I don’t drink, they’ve often talked about how they don’t so much. Part of that might be an interest in getting along and being polite, but it also might be a little reflection of hidden guilt they have for such behaviors (embedded in them from media, parents, whatever). The same way some people feel guilty about premarital sex. There are also comfort cues. If I’m in a bar and someone has a drink and I don’t, it’s weird. People are used to glasses being strewn about, and we like to play with things with our hands. It might be nervousness or it might just be our multitasking generation, who knows. Either way I usually have a glass of water – it’s something to play with and sip between words.

Thought the update might be helpful, especially for those who remember how strongly opposed to drinking I've been in the past.