11 Comments

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.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
author

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.

Expand full comment
Jul 15Liked by Tom Wark

Thx for another great read.

For me, all (well... most) things in moderation.

Whatever result that is...I'm good with.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
founding
Jul 15Liked by Tom Wark

Gimmie that wine, gimmie that wine, gimmie that wine, cause I can't cut loose without my juices!

Expand full comment
Jul 15Liked by Tom Wark

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! 😏🍷🍸🥃🥂🍹👍🤫

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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."

Expand full comment