Culture - A History of Drugs - Interesting Commentary & Debate with Melvyn Bragg & Others

[babymakesbeats]

This radio show provides a fascinating insight into the history of drugs. It is 45 minutes long. see post below for link

An assumption in modernity seems to be that drugs are, and should be, illegal.

Melvyn Bragg however, with his selection of university Professors, shows how when tea, tobacco, coffee and cocoa were imported their consumption was considered very much taboo.

Only by developing cultural practices around these drugs (set times and rituals for smoking, adding milk and sugar to tea and cocoa etc) were they accepted as part of society.

Some interesting points are made about drugs function, a particularly interesting one being "without drugs, there is no creativity"

This programme shows how some of the most famous and influential thinkers of our time have been habitual users such as Rousseau, Coleridge & Wilberforce.

Food for thought indeed.

Comments & opinions encouraged !

Reputation Comments on this post:

Interesting video, thoughtful review

[babymakesbeats]

I've now added this audio to the archive, have a listen!

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/loc...tid=42&id=7299