Were Early Modern People Perpetually Drunk? (2016)

Re:Were Early Modern People Perpetually Drunk? (2016) by wtbob on Tuesday January 31, 2017 @10:53PM (#13538077)

> If the ground-state of the human mind is tipsy, then is sobriety functionally an abnormal state we're maladapted for?

I vaguely recall reading that the ancient Persians would make decisions twice: once sober, and once drunk. If their decisions were the same, then they knew that they'd decided correctly. Of course, they ended up being conquered by a bunch of teetotallers …

No reference, I'm afraid. It could be very well be total bunk.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Were Early Modern People Perpetually Drunk? (2016) by martinpw on Wednesday February 01, 2017 @02:23AM (#13539012)

Apparently it is a quote from Herodutus, so the reference dates back a long way but that does not necessarily mean it is true:

http://skepticalphilosopher.blogspot.com/2009/09/persian-str...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Were Early Modern People Perpetually Drunk? (2016) by pm90 on Wednesday February 01, 2017 @01:28PM (#13543418)

To be fair, they held on their own for centuries of constant warfare with Greco-Roman civilization, which at certain times consisted of the largest, most powerful political entities.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Were Early Modern People Perpetually Drunk? (2016) by FabHK on Wednesday February 01, 2017 @10:28AM (#13541399)

Pity today's Iran is rather more strict about it. In Teheran, can only get alcohol legally in the Armenian community centre, AFAIK: red wine, white wine, or vodka.

[ Parent | on HN ]