Alcohol sales plummet! 

Alcohol producers are in chaos as consumers flee from alcohol toxicity!

Job losses mount as the alcohol industry is in free fall!

Now that I have your attention by hacking into the human brain’s negativity bias, penchant for hyperbole, and attraction to thumbnails, I want to draw your attention to a slight reduction in alcohol consumption in the USA, more pronounced among the youths.

Many will split on whether this is a positive or negative development. 

Those who enjoy the hazy ambiance of an Irish pub, the pulsating beats of club life, or even a glass of wine after a nice dinner likely wish more would share in the good times. The sober among us would point out the health benefits, reduction in alcohol-related accidents, and the simple joy associated with playing board games. (Though if they believe that, then they have never played board games with me)

To me, it all comes down to the intentions of those reducing their intake. Suppose the reduction stems from a decline in alcoholism (which would decimate the alcohol industry, btw). Or it could come from Huberman bros trying to optimize their health. In that case, you’d have to say the benefits would be immense despite alcohol producers trying to convince us of its positive health effects.

However, if it’s due to the continued uprising of the introverts demanding we all stay home, put on Netflix, and chill… Well, then, I am not so sure.

College football stadium capacities are being reduced as they cater to boujier clientele. Parking, hotel rooms, and restaurant prices have skyrocketed, further incentivizing the at-home experience. Social events are generally becoming cost-prohibitive, and their at-home alternatives are affordable and improving in quality.

Arthur Brooks, a happiness researcher I have referenced several times in this blog, made the critical point that pleasurable activities only contribute to your life satisfaction when they can be done with other people.

Scrolling the internet in your bedroom, eating a whole Domino’s pizza by yourself, and getting drunk alone are not on the Mount Rushmore of wholistic life choices.

If the younger generation substitutes alcohol for the attention-sucking solitude our culture is trying to lure people into, that would be a bummer. Alternatively, substituting alcohol for sports leagues, Settlers of Catan marathons, and quality time with friends could be quite the boon for social life. 

Life Update: Here is a picture of me and my work team at our end of the year party:

We tried to increase the alcohol statistics slightly.

It was nice to be in Orlando. I had a fun time with my fellow data nerds.

Happy New Years!