On Sun, 15 Jun 2003 03:19 Craig Coonrad wrote:

>On Sat, 14 Jun 2003, Keith Thomas wrote:

>> Human motivation is an incredibly complex phenomenon
>> and I don't think we should be looking for a simple,
>> mono-causal explanation of the high (disastrous)
>> levels of alcohol consumption in societies that
>> have recently become 'civilized' - I use 'civilized'
>> in the way Daniel Quinn uses it in his books.

<snip>

>Now, if American Indians and Australian Aborignes also lacked this same
>enzyme...well they would behave just like these Asians. They either
>wouldn't drink or only drink small amounts.
>
>The disastrous affects of alcohol on Indians and Aborgines is biochemical
>in nature IMO. I don't buy the "The Noble Savage" myth that they drink
>because of loss or remorse for their idyllic hunter gather way of life or
>because of the demands of 'snivelization' (as peter tosh would say).
>

That's what I thought, too - until I spent three months last year working
with Aboriginals.  It was a transforming experience for me.

Keith