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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Drunk summary
How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization
33 mins
Brief summary
Drunk by Edward Slingerland explores the cultural and evolutionary origins of alcohol consumption, delving into how alcohol affects our behavior, emotions and cognitive abilities. It proposes a balanced approach to drinking based on mindfulness and social connections.
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Drunk
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Why do we get drunk? Hijack or hangover?
So we know that drinking can have devastating effects. Because of this most scientists agree that our taste for alcohol is an evolutionary accident, a sort of misstep on nature’s part, a behavior that has stuck around even though it offers no real benefit to the species.
But why would such a behavior even exist? Well, as you probably know, there are other behaviors like this – things that humans do even though doing them serves no purpose or, in other cases, maybe used to serve a purpose but doesn’t really serve that purpose anymore.
These behaviors fall into two categories: hijacks and hangovers.
Let’s start with hijacks. A hijack is a behavior that reaps a reward that was originally meant to be generated by another behavior. A great example of a hijack is masturbation.
The act of masturbating serves no evolutionary purpose. It’s pleasurable, and it can lead to orgasm, but orgasm evolved to reward an entirely different behavior – sex, which does serve an evolutionary purpose; it’s how we pass our genes down to the next generation and perpetuate the survival of the species. We human beings – clever creatures that we are – figured out that we could hijack this pleasure, that we could have orgasms without engaging in a species-perpetuating behavior.
So that’s what a hijack is. A hangover, in contrast, is a behavior arising from a drive that was once adaptive but isn’t anymore. For example, we love fatty, sugary snacks – things like french fries and potato chips and candy bars: junk food. The jolts of pleasure we get from eating junk food were originally meant to motivate our hunter-gatherer ancestors to go forth and find sustenance. The problem is that, today, you’ll still get those jolts of pleasure from eating sugar and fat, and this might cause you to overindulge even if you’ve got plenty of healthier food at your fingertips. In short, you’re hungover – acting in a way that benefited people thousands of years ago but doesn’t necessarily benefit you.
So – hijack or hangover? Or could our fondness for intoxication best be explained by another theory altogether?
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What is Drunk about?
Drunk (2021) is a scientific and historical inquiry into the evolutionary reasons why humans started getting drunk. Drunk examines how inebriation helped our ancestors evolve into creative, communal, cultural beings, and considers whether or not alcohol is an appropriate tool for the modern age.
In the audio version of these blinks, you'll hear "Also Sprach Zarathustra," composed by Richard Strauss, made available under a Creative Commons Attribution license by Kevin MacLeod. Thanks, Kevin!
Drunk Review
Drunk (2014) by Edward Slingerland is a fascinating exploration of alcohol and its impact on human society and culture. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- The book offers a unique blend of history, science, and personal stories, providing a comprehensive understanding of alcohol and its effects.
- By examining various cultures and time periods, it sheds light on the ways alcohol has shaped societies, highlighting its role in social interactions and rituals.
- With its engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking insights, the book ensures that exploring the world of alcohol is anything but boring.
Who should read Drunk?
- Anyone who drinks
- People curious about human behavior
- Anyone interested in evolution
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Drunk FAQs
What is the main message of Drunk?
The main message of Drunk is that alcohol can enhance creativity and social bonding when consumed in moderation.
How long does it take to read Drunk?
It takes a few hours to read Drunk in its entirety. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Drunk a good book? Is it worth reading?
Drunk is worth reading for its fascinating exploration of the cultural and historical significance of alcohol, as well as its potential benefits when consumed in moderation.
Who is the author of Drunk?
Drunk is written by Edward Slingerland.
What to read after Drunk?
If you're wondering what to read next after Drunk, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
- How to Eat to Change How You Drink by Brooke Scheller
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- Quit by Annie Duke
- Never Enough by Judith Grisel
- Stress Resets by Jennifer L. Taitz
- This Is Why You Dream by Rahul Jandial
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- Brain Wash by David Perlmutter
- The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr