Shame

A group of scientists from the University of Bristol has published a paper on the effects of acute alcohol consumption on ratings of attractiveness of facial stimuli in the August 2008 edition of the Oxford Journal of Alcohol and Alcoholism. In layman’s terms, they were studying the phenomenon of the beer goggle effect.

While there was certainly no surprising information generated by this seemingly already self evident study, I did find it interesting to see that alcohol didn’t only increase the perception of attractiveness of the opposite sex, but also of members of the same sex regardless of sexual orientation.

Attractiveness ratings were higher in the alcohol compared to the placebo group… but there was no evidence that this differed between males and females or was selective for opposite-sex faces.

Another behavior that was observed was the fact that men tended to retain the beer goggle effect longer, but only when looking at women. I chalk this up to that fact that study was conducted on college aged males, and let’s be honest; with this group even farm animals aren’t safe after a hard night’s drinking.

Since its Friday, I have amassed a few humorous beer goggle videos posted below the fold (ribaldry warning). I do however feel obliged to be a killjoy first by pointing out that while a funny subject , the loss of inhibition and resulting actions are the cause of much misery including infidelity, STD’s, unplanned pregnancy, and sometimes just plain old fashioned shame and embarrassment. Stay safe and stay sober this weekend, now on to the videos.

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A United Press International (UPI) press release reads as if describing a modern witch trial with the headline “Lynda Carter Confesses to Alcoholism”. This story is just wrong in so many ways I have to wonder if it wasn't actually written by a computer that rolls relevant data into so-called breaking news stories. Hopefully no flesh and blood (but obviously no heart) journalist has beclowned themself by writing such a thoughtless piece.

First of all, one confesses to a crime or a sin... not a disease. This headline is absolutely insulting and the first line of the story follows suit as if Mrs. Carter in revealing her addiction has committed some crime. It is written as if she should be very ashamed now that she has been convicted of alcoholism.

WASHINGTON, July 5 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Lynda Carter of "Wonder Woman" fame has publicly admitted she is an alcoholic

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Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi made good on a promise to publish the names and faces of everyone charged with DUI in his county over the Memorial Day weekend after one of his officers was critically injured when an intoxicated driver rammed his patrol car. The police officer, Kenneth Baribault, was already on the side of the road processing a different drunk driver.

Mr. Suozzi’s actions have many discussing the legal and ethical merits of using shame as a deterrent to those that would drive under the influence; with good arguments to be made on both sides it makes for a good debate topic. I myself have spoken out against similar tactics, but really I have mixed emotions on the subject- especially when someone is injured or dies.

When I think of this brave officer and the fate of his little boy on one hand I think every possible means should be used to combat DUI, but on the other I wonder if the embarrassment and trauma may make a drinking problem worse insuring even worse future problems. Of course if I had a third hand I would say what doesn't make a drinking problem worse... when I was drinking I could turn sand in my shoes into an excuse for a four day bender.

Ergo, my mixed emotions.

In reality neither shame or license revocation is going to stop a problem drinker and may even worsen the situation, but what of those normal people for which it may prove an effective tactic- maybe even preventing a DUI or slide into addiction?

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