Tom, as someone who both has a few years on you and enjoys his daily ration of wine, I think you over-simplify this discussion. It's not just the either / or duality of trading away a "handful of days" for the pleasures of alcohol, but consideration of the complex health issues that can manifest over many years, and significantly impact the quality of one's life -- whatever its length may turn out to be.
It really is such an odd question to ask. Put another way, does the doctor ask you if you want to add 6.75 more days to your life by doing push-ups every day? Rarely do they ever ask such questions. It's absurd to "surgically" cut out a few glasses of wine a week and tell a patient that they can extend their lives by doing so. The statistics do not add up in any way.
I agree, I have over simplified it. But for a reason. The attachment of specific days of life to a glass of wine is itself so patently ridiculous and simplified, I was called to go with it.
I'll double down. Does the doctor ask how much processed or refined sugar the person eats? Do they ask about vegetables they eat? Unprocessed meats? All of those things are far stronger health indicators.
I believe it’s essential to show and follow your passions to your children. You demonstrate the importance of pursuing what you love and supporting them as they grow up. This not only enriches your life but also imparts valuable lessons to your kids. Isn’t this a vital part of parenting and leading by example with responsible drinking, meaningful conversations, and understanding the origins of products? After all, the quality of time spent and the passions shared with our children often outweigh the mere quantity of days.
My father passed away last weekend so I've been thinking about this a lot. The whole idea of saying give up this to get that is childish and over simplified. I suppose if you give up driving you'd live even longer. tack on a couple weeks for giving up meat too. So where does it end?
At times like this I like to reflect on the sage words of Dennis Leary "It’s the worst years, it’s the ones at the END. It’s the wheelchair, adult diaper, kidney dialysis f*cking years. You can have those years; we don’t want them."
This post presents an absurd and irresponsible argument, prioritizing fleeting pleasures over basic health and longevity. You trivialize well-established scientific findings—like Dr. Stockwell’s research showing alcohol’s role in shortening life expectancy—as a trivial calculation to dismiss. The audacity of implying that a few more years with one's child aren't worth giving up a glass of Chablis or a beer after golf demonstrates a shocking disregard for one's responsibilities and for the broader social cost of alcohol consumption. This romanticized view of alcohol masks a deeper issue: the privilege of those who can afford to ignore its dangers.
Moreover, the writer absurdly suggests that a handful of extra days or months isn’t a worthwhile tradeoff for quitting alcohol, seemingly overlooking that those extra days might be critical moments in a child's or family member’s life. Is a sip of wine more meaningful than precious time with loved ones? This short-sighted, hedonistic attitude grossly underestimates the long-term consequences of alcohol consumption.
In essence, this is not just an argument about lifestyle choices, but an irresponsible defense of indulgence at the expense of health, family, and society at large.
Tom, as someone who both has a few years on you and enjoys his daily ration of wine, I think you over-simplify this discussion. It's not just the either / or duality of trading away a "handful of days" for the pleasures of alcohol, but consideration of the complex health issues that can manifest over many years, and significantly impact the quality of one's life -- whatever its length may turn out to be.
It really is such an odd question to ask. Put another way, does the doctor ask you if you want to add 6.75 more days to your life by doing push-ups every day? Rarely do they ever ask such questions. It's absurd to "surgically" cut out a few glasses of wine a week and tell a patient that they can extend their lives by doing so. The statistics do not add up in any way.
I agree, I have over simplified it. But for a reason. The attachment of specific days of life to a glass of wine is itself so patently ridiculous and simplified, I was called to go with it.
Thx for another great read.
For me, all (well... most) things in moderation.
Whatever result that is...I'm good with.
I'll double down. Does the doctor ask how much processed or refined sugar the person eats? Do they ask about vegetables they eat? Unprocessed meats? All of those things are far stronger health indicators.
True. I believe the type of person that drinks wine is eating a healthier diet than someone who drinks Old English 800 and hard seltzers.
Gimmie that wine, gimmie that wine, gimmie that wine, cause I can't cut loose without my juices!
Having watched the final years, months, weeks, and days of parents and grandparents, I don’t feel I’ll be missing too much. I say Cheers! 😏🍷🍸🥃🥂🍹👍🤫
I survived ABVD chemotherapy and radiation- I already lost a lot of days thanks to that I am sure, I will keep my wine! Hehe
I believe it’s essential to show and follow your passions to your children. You demonstrate the importance of pursuing what you love and supporting them as they grow up. This not only enriches your life but also imparts valuable lessons to your kids. Isn’t this a vital part of parenting and leading by example with responsible drinking, meaningful conversations, and understanding the origins of products? After all, the quality of time spent and the passions shared with our children often outweigh the mere quantity of days.
My father passed away last weekend so I've been thinking about this a lot. The whole idea of saying give up this to get that is childish and over simplified. I suppose if you give up driving you'd live even longer. tack on a couple weeks for giving up meat too. So where does it end?
At times like this I like to reflect on the sage words of Dennis Leary "It’s the worst years, it’s the ones at the END. It’s the wheelchair, adult diaper, kidney dialysis f*cking years. You can have those years; we don’t want them."
This post presents an absurd and irresponsible argument, prioritizing fleeting pleasures over basic health and longevity. You trivialize well-established scientific findings—like Dr. Stockwell’s research showing alcohol’s role in shortening life expectancy—as a trivial calculation to dismiss. The audacity of implying that a few more years with one's child aren't worth giving up a glass of Chablis or a beer after golf demonstrates a shocking disregard for one's responsibilities and for the broader social cost of alcohol consumption. This romanticized view of alcohol masks a deeper issue: the privilege of those who can afford to ignore its dangers.
Moreover, the writer absurdly suggests that a handful of extra days or months isn’t a worthwhile tradeoff for quitting alcohol, seemingly overlooking that those extra days might be critical moments in a child's or family member’s life. Is a sip of wine more meaningful than precious time with loved ones? This short-sighted, hedonistic attitude grossly underestimates the long-term consequences of alcohol consumption.
In essence, this is not just an argument about lifestyle choices, but an irresponsible defense of indulgence at the expense of health, family, and society at large.