derf, i just dont like wars and guns and stuff (except in games, then it rules ) so even as a guy i'd be opposed to mandatory military. I'm not dumb enough to think wars etc will ever be gotten rid of, but doesn't mean i have to be a part of it

on the pub thing: in theory yes, it'll be more staggered, but it wont really. binge drinkers (ie teenagers/young adults, you know the type. students etc) will just stay out til half an hour before their next lecture or something. and i dont see how it will solve anything really. just means instead of being forced to go out from 9 - 2, you can go out between 12 - 5, or whenever you want. Probably wouldn't be so bad if it was just pubs open, as usually people go to pubs for just a couple before they go home or go on to the club. It's more relaxed (in general), whereas in clubs the whole point is drink as much as possible, as fast as possible. As long as I don't get drunk prats coming near me they can do whatever the hell they want. Gah I hate drunks.

so far I'm liking Satis' island theory. But I disagree, I think we give them all guns and let them play 'last one standing'

You know whats funny. People who do it, dont seem to realise the damage they do to their brain. I was with four 3rd year lads at a house in uni last year, and i would dare to say they were severely....slowed by all that drinking they had been doing.

I think that the closing times play a big factor as well though.

If i see what you (english) guys (and girl) are saying about the kind of people that get really hammered, i don't see any difference with for instance belgium. We have big alcohol consumption in belgium as well, i knew several people will stop in a local pub after a hard day work as well.
Closing hours just don't work well.

Btw i don't think that the effect on the brains is that severe Derf, i know i've been drinking heavily (sorry Pev) in my first 4 years at uni. And i don't think i'm a retard now
I'm not saying it wasn't very unhealthy though, got to agree on that, but those bits of braincells that died won't make that much of a difference.

Then perhaps would you say it has altered your character, rather than your brain-cells directly?

Well my character has changed from when i first got to Uni, but i wouldn't link that with my drinking habits (but for instance being away from home the whole week). It's pretty normal that you're not the same person anymore when you turn 22 as when you were 18 i think.

And i don't think my character changed in a negative way either.

But do you think your character changed even partially as a result of heavy drinking?

I binged other things. I don't think it changed my character or made me stupid either. I'm just thinking that anyone that drinks the way pevil describes probably isn't very smart to begin with.

Hehe...I'm in the J and Satis camp: as long as you don't do it in EXTREME quantities or develop a habit you'll be just fine. Really, those 3-4 years of my life were not wasted. Like J said, the change in character if any is more due to me growing up than anything else.

At a given moment (well it's not so much a moment as a general sentiment) you just stop seeing the fun of getting drunk/stoned all the time. As a purpose, I mean. I go out way less than I used to, and I watch my money now...even tho the circumstances haven't changed a but (still in uni, still single, still a moron).

Of course, I still get drunk from time to time, but that's more of a side-effect than the actual goal these days. And it gets rarer.

rofl j, dont gotta apologise to me, just dont come near me drunk hehe.