<p>^I see a correlation. Alcohol and some drugs [like pot] tend to occur fairly often in social settings. Interesting people are invited to/go to these gatherings and parties, and are therefore more likely to partake. Boring people are in general less socially successful and end up at these gatherings less. </p>
<p>Obviously that’s nowhere near a hard-and-fast rule, but djamieson acknowledged that.</p>
<p>^I don’t doubt that there is some correlation. However, the way djamieson expressed his point indicated a correlation far stronger than I would have expected (‘the people who I know who drink are the most intelligent and interesting people I know’). Any given person knows thousands of people and hundreds of those thousands quite well. It just doesn’t make sense to me that even the majority of drinkers that someone knows are the more intelligent people. It’s so different than my personal experiences (and many of my friends’). Though I guess it’s possible–just very shocking.</p>
<p>I don’t do neither but I have no aversion to the idea of trying alcohol when I reach the legal drinking age. </p>
<p>Drugs – I come from a society where it is tabooed, so I still feel very iffy about it, but I’ve learned over the years to be open minded and realize that a lot of the drug users have their own reasons. In moderate, controlled amounts I think it could be an interesting thing to experiment with. Honestly if I were to try them, I would do my research to become unbiased as possible. </p>
<p>All in moderation. I guess that is the hard part.</p>
<p>Hmm…how much do I have to drink before I become interesting?</p>
<p>I can’t say I’ve done much of either. The way alcohol consumption gets treated these days is very superficial. You can’t be cool unless you drink alcohol, but nobody wants to see you drinking if you’re not cool. Well, I can’t succeed in that environment. So, I guess I’ll stick to Coca-Cola. It tastes better anyway. </p>
<p>If weed becomes legal, I’m investing in it. I’d never try it though. Basically, it makes you act like an idiot and I still have some dignity left in me.</p>
<p>The problem that I have when it comes to drinking and teenagers is that we drink to get drunk, plain and simple. I’ll probably start drinking in moderation when I get to college, but nothing heavy like what you see in American Pie or something, lol.</p>
<p>I won’t do drugs, and that’s a fact.</p>
<p>Quick side-question: If your doctor or lawyer smoked weed, would you still let them handle your case? Just wondering.</p>
<p>I stand by what I said. Remember I stated that these are just my experiences, but yes I’d say the most intelligent bunch of people I know also drink alcohol. </p>
<p>StudiosMaximus - Yes, there are people people who drink who also get some of the worst grades at school, I didn’t say this wasn’t the case. Maybe there is also a greater drinking culture where I am compared to you, it is implicit here that late high schoolers/college kids should be able to go out on weekends and have fun, doing things that won’t necessarily be able to do when they are older.</p>
<p>If I had to give a reason as to why there is this correlation between those who are most intelligent out of my peers and the fact that they also drink, I guess it might because they are well rounded people who not only thrive academically but socially too. They are also intelligent enough to realise that alcohol is not the devil and can in fact enhance your life and relationships if you treat it with respect.</p>
<p>I think a few more people need to realise this, alcohol can enhance your life if you treat it with respect. It can let you become involved in activities which are a hell of a lot of fun along with meeting new people and strengthening existing relationships. I know one could very easily put a negative spin on each thing I just stated, but then that’s just pessimism.</p>
<p>I do not drink, I do not smoke, and I don’t do any drugs what so ever, and I plan on never doing any drugs.</p>