links for 2009-12-22

• In defence of booze « Prospect Magazine
  Donaldson instead seemed to be arguing there was no evidence for the proposition that introducing children gradually to alcohol made them less likely to become binge drinkers or alcoholics. That may be true as far as it goes, but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, and there is at least plenty of anecdotal support for the idea that bringing up children to drink responsibly, however that is defined, is better than prohibition. It is also true that some people are predisposed to become problem drinkers whatever regime their parents impose, but since alcohol is part of our social fabric, it surely makes sense for most parents to build up a little familiarity and tolerance in their children while they still have some influence over them.
  (tags: cmo alcohol)

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