Malcolm Gladwell

[rockytop9808]

Right, according to common notions; according to scientific studies, though, football might well be just as dangerous or more dangerous than drinking and smoking.

I was halfway through replying to your last post before I got a call.

I think above a certain age (13-14ish, early high school) most people are aware of the risks of certain actions. I don't have issues with lower drinking or smoking ages, just like I don't have an issue with drug use. As long as one is not infringing on somebody else's basic rights, what does it matter?

 

[therealUT]

I was halfway through replying to your last post before I got a call.

I think above a certain age (13-14ish, early high school) most people are aware of the risks of certain actions. I don't have issues with lower drinking or smoking ages, just like I don't have an issue with drug use. As long as one is not infringing on somebody else's basic rights, what does it matter?

I agree that it does not matter; I also have no issue with lower drinking ages. I am challenging the views of those who do feel the need to keep adolescents in school, away from alcohol and cigarettes, and yet hold the view that these same individuals should be allowed to make high risk decisions.

They are either children who should be protected, even from themselves; or, they are adults who can make their own decisions.

 

[volbeast33]

Right, according to common notions; according to scientific studies, though, football might well be just as dangerous or more dangerous than drinking and smoking.

That study has not shown it to be dangerous to anyone's future health.....I know several people that alcohol or smoking has adversely affected their life....I have had a few concussions and know people that have had concussions....and I know several people that has played high school people and can't name a single person that has been adversely affected by it.

 

[therealUT]

That study has not shown it to be dangerous to anyone's future health.....I know several people that alcohol or smoking has adversely affected their life....I have had a few concussions and know people that have had concussions....and I know several people that has played high school people and can't name a single person that has been adversely affected by it.

That is why studies do not simply rely on anecdotes from your life. The Purdue study makes the same claims, that you call inconclusive, that studies do regarding adolescent binge drinking.

 

[rockytop9808]

I agree that it does not matter; I also have no issue with lower drinking ages. I am challenging the views of those who do feel the need to keep adolescents in school, away from alcohol and cigarettes, and yet hold the view that these same individuals should be allowed to make high risk decisions.

They are either children who should be protected, even from themselves; or, they are adults who can make their own decisions.

Then I guess your argument's not with me.

 

[volbeast33]

That is why studies do not simply rely on anecdotes from your life. The Purdue study makes the same claims, that you call inconclusive, that studies do regarding adolescent binge drinking.

No you are reading the report wrong....they are showing people are having subcocussive effects even when not showing outward effects of a concussion.....they are not showing or proving any long term damage.

 

[therealUT]

No you are reading the report wrong....they are showing people are having subcocussive effects even when not showing outward effects of a concussion.....they are not showing or proving any long term damage.

And, the reports regarding alcohol consumption in minors only show effects for binge-drinkers (which, in this discussion could be the analogue to concussion as opposed to moderate drinkers which might be the analogue to subconcussive) and they do not prove a causal link to any long term damage (only high correlations because that is all that studies like this can prove).