Comments on: A Quick Thought on Drinking at Gatherings & Conferences

By: Eric Edelstein

Eric Edelstein — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 01:18:53 +0000

Hope you can make it tomorrow…

In Uruguay at the moment, so won’t be at this one, but know Tim will do a super job…

Let us know what you thought?

Eric

By: Nomad

Nomad — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:16:09 +0000

@ Dave - Thanks a mill for that tip, will definitely be checking that out. Glad to see there’s a space like this as well, and I’m quite a coffee connoiseur.

Have you attended any of these meet ups?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:24:27 +0000

Hey Nur,
You should checkout Open Coffee as an alternative - first Thursday of every month, 2-4pm at Origin Roasting (a coffee place): http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/1144/calendar/7157357/

By: Graham

Graham — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:50:17 +0000

Ethanol is just a toxin (hence “choose your poison”). It would be a lot more dangerous if not for the alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes in the liver converting ethanol into acetaldahyde (ethanal) , and the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme converting the hangover-causing and liver-damaging ethanal into harmless acetic acid (ethanoic acid), which is ordinary vinegar, also important in biochemistry. Ethanal biochemistry is associated with alcoholism. Hangovers are also influenced by impurities (congeners) in the beverage.

Ethanol is an agonist of GABA receptors (gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotramsmitter), making it a depressant of the central nervous system. In higher concentrations, it can cause temporary damage to the calcium channels and dendrites on neurons.

Bah, there’s too much to say, lots of on wikipedia. Not all of it’s bad though. Will leave the reasons /for/ consuming alcoholic beverages to others.

By: D-arb

D-arb — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:28:09 +0000

I don’t touch the filthy stuff, after I gave it up a few years ago. Heavy drinking at an event turns me off in a big way (and I definately avoid it). Light, and unobtrusive drinking doesnt cause me any troubles (I don’t have a religious reason to my non-drinking-non-animal-eating-non-sugar-guzzling).

There have been times when I have employed a hybrid model, in that I am aware there will be drinking, and I go to an event early, and leave when it is clear that alcohol has become entrenched in everyone’s brains.

I don’t think you can impose non-drinking on an event because of your beliefs, but I don’t think it is an absurd request. Being a Family man as well, I would much prefer to go to a light or non-drinking event than anything (and it is a factor which would come in).

Without a fervent religious reason to my non-drinking my tolerance to drinking/drinkers is not absolute, so deciding if alcohol at an event will be an issue is a complex decision for me, and not a ‘no’ the moment it has a presence at the event.

I hope that does take this further along