Ragnarohk
Caldari
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Posted - 2007.08.20 11:51:00 -
[1]
Edited by: Ragnarohk on 20/08/2007 11:55:36
Edited by: Ragnarohk on 20/08/2007 11:53:59
Well this thread long careered off the path of polite debate and erupted into a thermonuclear explosion when someone suggested free will should be eradicated.
 Originally by: Derovius Vaden
Edited by: Derovius Vaden on 20/08/2007 02:23:15
It may sound harsh, but most people lack the ironically coined "common sense" needed to make decisions for themselves. Most just want someone to tell them >what< to do.
Free will has allowed our species to flourish from its starting point. Many people want it easy, yes, but complete mind tyranny is simply a return to the Dark Ages. How much progress did humanity make in that period? Zilch.
Personally I'm of the opinion all substances should be taxed and regulated, coupled with extreme punishments for misuse. Alcohol can be used like food, which tastes nice, or a movie, which you watch to enjoy. For entertainment, fun and general enjoyment. I know a lot of people drink to "get ****ed/wasted" but you'll get those in any age group. Harsh punishments will deter their drunken antics affecting anyone else. Honestly, I don't care WHAT you do in your home, it's your freedom, as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone else's.
Recently I turned 18 meaning it's now legal for me to purchase alcohol in stores, however I have drunk plenty before as I have a lot older friends and we've generally been allowed to do what we want collectively since the age of 13 or so. However, I have seen a (tragic) shift in people when they reach the legal age of drinking enough times. From frustrated and mesmerised by this alcohol they're not allowed to have but everyone taunts them with. (Adults do it, adverts do it, it all shows off, "LOOK HOW GOOD THIS IS, O YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY, LOLLERCAKES", through rogue glamourisation.) So they end up wasting their money and self down in a bar or pub every night, because they never had any experience. It wouldn't be any different if you raised the drinking age, the same thing will happen. Some people are responsible, some aren't, and the ratios don't change all that much. How much personal debt are western adults often in nowadays? This is the height of irresponsibility. They must KNOW they'll struggle significantly trying to pay it back, and often it's simply a luxury item they borrow for. This is fundamentally irresponsible in an older adult and a severe lack of self discipline, as well as pure abuse if you have to support children whom rely on the income for clothing / healthy food / miscellaneous items.
In the end, I do think 21 is excessive, adding greatly to the rebel aspect of the alcohol. Do you honestly think 3 extra trips around the sun will fundamentally impact the nature of drinking? Especially when you know a continent just across the water has much more relaxed laws and seems to have less of a general problem? If it was instituted to combat drink drivers, well, toughen your tests. From an American corp-mate I heard you don't even have to go on the open road to do your test or any lessons what so ever, in case of suing. What insanity! If you chuck out pupils with 0 road experience, bad things will always happen. I'm unsure how valid this is, of course, since it's based entirely on hearsay.
Raising the drinking age simply aggravates anyone, excluding grumpy bar goers who want to keep late-teens out of their favourite hangout. So I say, lower it, it'll help in the long run. We're (The British) are often mocked for being prudish and reserved, but some topics in the US, are just so taboo to the extreme, for a nation that founded itself on free will and exploration...
-Rag
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