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Jonathan_Graehl comments on Advice for a Budding Rationalist - Less Wrong Discussion

7 Post author: atucker 19 November 2010 03:10AM

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Comment author: Jonathan_Graehl 19 November 2010 06:51:31AM 1 point [-]

I would only advise that a person choose rationally how much alcohol to consume (i.e. gain experience predicting the effects and aftermath of drinking, and make decisions about how much to drink before becoming inebriated). I don't see any strong evidence that moderate and steady (as opposed to binge) drinking is helpful or harmful to health.

If someone wants to always optimize their rationality-in-the-moment and has no social or emotional needs, then I guess it's safe to never get drunk. It certainly hasn't helped me become smarter or more rational to do so. I just think it's stupid from a hedonistic perspective to absolutely avoid it.