Will history butt out?
February 20, 2009 11:14 AM Subscribe
Does anyone else see social smoking as just a small blip in human history?
It wasn't practiced socially until around the the 1600's, and wasn't common until about a century after that. From its inception it has been controversial, with bans on smoking going back to it's early days (first smoking ban in London Alehouses enacted by King James I, 1604, also outlawed in Russia at the time, and the Pope came down hard against it promising excommunication to anyone who smoked in a holy place).
There does not seem to be much positive about this drug, other than it makes you look cool to a small group of people while you're doing it.
With smoking becoming more socially unacceptable in the west, will the east (I'm thinking mainly of China here) ever follow, and will this strange human habit disappear?
I'm trying to think of some kind of historical trend that appeared relatively briefly (dueling? men in heavy makeup?) to compare it to, and failing.
I'm also trying to think of another habit that we as a society partake in that is seen as acceptable that encroaches on the personal space of and affects those who happen to be near us at the time. Talking on cellphones, lack of personal hygiene, children running wild, all somewhat fit the bill, but aren't exactly the same, either.
It wasn't practiced socially until around the the 1600's, and wasn't common until about a century after that. From its inception it has been controversial, with bans on smoking going back to it's early days (first smoking ban in London Alehouses enacted by King James I, 1604, also outlawed in Russia at the time, and the Pope came down hard against it promising excommunication to anyone who smoked in a holy place).
There does not seem to be much positive about this drug, other than it makes you look cool to a small group of people while you're doing it.
With smoking becoming more socially unacceptable in the west, will the east (I'm thinking mainly of China here) ever follow, and will this strange human habit disappear?
I'm trying to think of some kind of historical trend that appeared relatively briefly (dueling? men in heavy makeup?) to compare it to, and failing.
I'm also trying to think of another habit that we as a society partake in that is seen as acceptable that encroaches on the personal space of and affects those who happen to be near us at the time. Talking on cellphones, lack of personal hygiene, children running wild, all somewhat fit the bill, but aren't exactly the same, either.
This post was deleted for the following reason: This is ranty chatfilter dressed up with a perfunctory question. Do not do this here. -- cortex
10 LET X = "SMOKING"
20 PRINT "WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH [X]? [X] SUCKS, AMIRITE?"
20 INPUT A$
posted by dersins at 11:23 AM on February 20, 2009 [3 favorites]
20 PRINT "WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH [X]? [X] SUCKS, AMIRITE?"
20 INPUT A$
posted by dersins at 11:23 AM on February 20, 2009 [3 favorites]
30 FAIL
posted by dersins at 11:23 AM on February 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by dersins at 11:23 AM on February 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
If you view it as simply one example of social drug use, I don't think it's a blip at all.
posted by grobstein at 11:24 AM on February 20, 2009
posted by grobstein at 11:24 AM on February 20, 2009
i suggest trying the drug before rushing to judgement. then you'd understand why this is a pointless question.
posted by lester's sock puppet at 11:24 AM on February 20, 2009
posted by lester's sock puppet at 11:24 AM on February 20, 2009
Best answer: Most drugs that become illicit drugs follow a path similar to this. Consider Opium use.
Although, maybe the unique thing about tobacco is that it was vilified, then it was popular, and now it's being vilified again.
posted by schyler523 at 11:24 AM on February 20, 2009
Although, maybe the unique thing about tobacco is that it was vilified, then it was popular, and now it's being vilified again.
posted by schyler523 at 11:24 AM on February 20, 2009
What about talking on cellphones while dueling men in heavy makeup?
posted by box at 11:25 AM on February 20, 2009
posted by box at 11:25 AM on February 20, 2009
What about people standing on other peoples' lawns? I ask you, what is to be done?
posted by Bromius at 11:27 AM on February 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Bromius at 11:27 AM on February 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
You seem to be thinking of "bacon" and not "smoking".
Cigarettes are just fine; you can pry them from my tobacco stained fingers when I am dead (from lung cancer).
posted by mesh gear fox at 11:28 AM on February 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Cigarettes are just fine; you can pry them from my tobacco stained fingers when I am dead (from lung cancer).
posted by mesh gear fox at 11:28 AM on February 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
There does not seem to be much positive about this drug, other than it makes you look cool to a small group of people while you're doing it.
So, so wrong.
posted by electroboy at 11:28 AM on February 20, 2009
So, so wrong.
posted by electroboy at 11:28 AM on February 20, 2009
The Americas weren't popular with Europeans until the 16th century. Tobacco is a New World plant, and was used socially and in religious ceremonies among native American tribes on both continents for centuries before Europe got addicted and made it a trade item.
posted by steef at 11:30 AM on February 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by steef at 11:30 AM on February 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
For the record, I only smoke when circumcising declawed Palestinian cats.
posted by joe lisboa at 11:31 AM on February 20, 2009
posted by joe lisboa at 11:31 AM on February 20, 2009
What about people standing on other peoples' lawns? I ask you, what is to be done?
It's Friday, and I'm in love.
posted by DWRoelands at 11:32 AM on February 20, 2009
It's Friday, and I'm in love.
posted by DWRoelands at 11:32 AM on February 20, 2009
Best answer: Nicotine is an absolutely incredibly drug. It improves memory and mental dexterity, fights the symptoms of dementia and Parkinson's disease, and staves off Alzheimer's. Nicotine is the ultimate "smart drug".
posted by mr_roboto at 11:32 AM on February 20, 2009
posted by mr_roboto at 11:32 AM on February 20, 2009
40 WHILE THREAD$="OPEN" GOTO HELL
50 GOTO HELL
60 WEND
posted by dunkadunc at 11:34 AM on February 20, 2009
50 GOTO HELL
60 WEND
posted by dunkadunc at 11:34 AM on February 20, 2009
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and
I'm also trying to think of another habit that we as a society partake in that is seen as acceptable that encroaches on the personal space of and affects those who happen to be near us at the time.
equals
chatfilter with a side of moral indignation? Toss this one, mods.
posted by joe lisboa at 11:19 AM on February 20, 2009