Who is Edward Slingerland, the author of *Drunk*?

Edward Slingerland is a philosophy professor at the University of British Columbia and a distinguished scholar of religion and early Chinese thought. His prior book, *Trying Not to Try*, was acclaimed by *The Guardian* and *Brain Pickings*. In *Drunk*, he merges interdisciplinary research to decode humanity’s relationship with intoxication.

How does *Drunk* explain alcohol’s role in fostering creativity and cooperation?

By suppressing the prefrontal cortex (PFC), alcohol lowers inhibitions and boosts endorphins, making people more open and trusting. This “chemical handshake” facilitated bonds between strangers, enabling large-scale collaboration. Slingerland cites examples like Viking feasts and Japanese salarymen bonding over drinks, showing how intoxication dissolved social barriers critical for civilization.

What is the “chemical handshake” described in *Drunk*?

The “chemical handshake” refers to alcohol’s ability to enhance social bonding by reducing prefrontal cortex activity, which lowers social anxiety and increases empathy. This biochemical process released early humans from rigid self-control, allowing genuine emotional expression and trust-building—key steps in forming complex societies.

Does *Drunk* address the negative effects of alcohol?

Yes—while emphasizing alcohol’s historical benefits, Slingerland acknowledges its dangers, including addiction and violence. He contrasts alcohol’s role in social cohesion with its capacity to fuel conflict, using examples like Viking raids. The book advocates for balanced, mindful consumption rather than outright rejection of intoxication.

What historical evidence does *Drunk* provide for alcohol’s cultural impact?

Slingerland highlights Göbekli Tepe, where beer brewing may predate agriculture, and Roman bacchanals that strengthened political alliances. He also examines Japanese post-work drinking rituals and ancient Chinese wine-based diplomacy, showing how alcohol permeated global cultural practices to enable cooperation.

Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization* about?

*Drunk* explores alcohol’s pivotal role in human evolution, arguing that intoxication enhanced creativity, reduced stress, and fostered cooperation—key factors in building early civilizations. Edward Slingerland combines archaeology, neuroscience, and history to show that alcohol wasn’t an evolutionary mistake but a social catalyst, enabling tribal humans to trust strangers and collaborate on a large scale.

Q: Who should read *Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization*?

This book appeals to readers interested in anthropology, social psychology, or the cultural history of intoxicants. It’s ideal for those curious about how human behavior shapes society, offering insights for both casual readers and academics. Fans of interdisciplinary science writing will appreciate its blend of humor, case studies, and rigorous research.

Q: Is *Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization* worth reading?

Yes—Slingerland’s provocative thesis challenges conventional views of alcohol, presenting compelling evidence that intoxication was crucial to human progress. The book balances scholarly depth with engaging storytelling, featuring Vikings, fruit flies, and ancient rituals to illustrate its claims. Its fresh perspective makes it a standout in studies of human social evolution.

Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization

Edward Slingerland

3.81 (3022 Reviews)

Science History Psychology

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Discover why alcohol isn't just a vice but humanity's secret weapon. Slingerland's interdisciplinary masterpiece reveals how drinking shaped civilization by enhancing creativity and building trust. Wine expert Natalie MacLean calls it revolutionary - could our collective buzz actually explain how societies thrive?

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We could not have civilization without intoxication.

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Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization

Edward Slingerland

3.81 (3022 Reviews)

Science History Psychology

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Исследуйте Свой Способ Обучения

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We could not have civilization without intoxication.

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Ключевые выводы

The Intoxicating Dance of Human Evolution

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Imagine Mark Zuckerberg sealing a multi-billion dollar acquisition not with signatures on contracts, but with shots of tequila. This isn't just Silicon Valley eccentricity - it's an echo of humanity's oldest social technology. For thousands of years, from ancient Chinese emperors to medieval European guilds, alcohol has served as the lubricant of human connection. Our seemingly irrational love affair with intoxication isn't a design flaw but rather a sophisticated adaptation that helped transform selfish primates into civilization-builders. With over 2.4 billion active consumers globally, alcohol remains humanity's most widely used psychoactive substance. Archaeological evidence - from 20,000-year-old cave carvings to 9,000-year-old Chinese pottery with chemical traces of primitive wine - reveals just how deep this relationship runs. Why would evolution preserve a seemingly self-destructive behavior? The answer lies in alcohol's unique ability to temporarily disable our prefrontal cortex, enhancing creativity, alleviating stress, building trust, and enabling the cooperation that civilization requires.

The Three Cs and the Perfect Drug for Imperfect Primates

Uncorking the Muse: Intoxication and Creativity

In Vino Veritas: The Chemical Handshake

Beer Before Bread: Alcohol's Role in Civilization

Taming Dionysus: Finding Balance in Modern Times

The Enduring Power of Controlled Abandonment

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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Ключевые выводы

The Intoxicating Dance of Human Evolution

The Three Cs and the Perfect Drug for Imperfect Primates

Uncorking the Muse: Intoxication and Creativity

In Vino Veritas: The Chemical Handshake

Beer Before Bread: Alcohol's Role in Civilization

Taming Dionysus: Finding Balance in Modern Times

The Enduring Power of Controlled Abandonment

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Ключевые выводы

The Intoxicating Dance of Human Evolution

The Three Cs and the Perfect Drug for Imperfect Primates

Uncorking the Muse: Intoxication and Creativity

In Vino Veritas: The Chemical Handshake

Beer Before Bread: Alcohol's Role in Civilization

Taming Dionysus: Finding Balance in Modern Times

The Enduring Power of Controlled Abandonment