Joe Baker wrote:Doc, as a police officer do you ever encounter someone who drives better after drinking?
Dr. Phil did a New Year's Eve show in which they took a group of 15 or so and gave them an open bar; then the ones who claimed they thought they were still competent to drive, were given a driving test in a simulater. They all flunked really badly, killing pedestrians, running over dogs....bad stuff. The point was that your judgement goes when drinking, even a little bit, and that you have to have a "personal rule" that you won't drive, knowing before you start drinking that your judgment will be off.
MA, who agrees with Joe both that drinking doesn't help any coordination-required activity, and that adults are free to imbibe as much as they feel like as long as they're not behind the wheel. And who tried drinking and skiing once and just damn near killed herself WHAM on the slope.
Joe Baker wrote: everything about drinking alcohol would have a negative impact on performance as a musician. If someone is good enough to take a step downward and still sound great, more power to 'em;
Agreed with most of the post.
But I can see a few drinks helping one relax, and loosen up. Think about inhibitions, you might not talk to stranges well when sober, but after a few drinks, you'll tell your life's story.
Henry wrote:..its beyond debate that alcohol increases mental acuity. Perhaps a simple analogy will help. Herds of animals, left free of predators will- over time- develop severe problems as aged and infirm animals remain with the general population instead of being removed through predation. Just so the brain, composed of millions of brain cells, will over time suffer from worn out cells dragging down the overall performance level. Beer-alcohol in general, it is generally acknowledged, removes some brain cells when consumed. It stands to reason therefore that the sick, lame, and lazy cells go first. That's why you always feel smarter after a few cold ones.....
Wasn't this theory proven on Cheers? Let's see, Cliff Claven, I believe did the research. No, wait! I think that was with buffalos. My memory seems to be having some difficulty. May I have another beer, please?
