College
– noun – [kol-ij]: "an institution of
higher learning, especially one providing a general or liberal arts education
rather than technical or professional training." Definition from here.
Many memories are formed and
hurdles jumped during this grand time of one’s younger life. Myself and I’m
sure many others reading this are experiencing how to combat the real world and
balance work, school, social lives and much more in the time that seems to
always be never enough. Today culture sees college as a time of learning how to
be an adult and on our own as well as enjoy the last part of being a young
adult. I’m sure there are many perceptions of the culture norm of college life,
but I’m only going to focus on one.
Freshman year and you are just leaving home and entering a big school, and what normally happens around this time? There are the rush events, the club events and the ever so famous (or notorious perhaps?) parties. At these ‘parties’ what is the normal atmosphere you would observe? Lots of people jam packed in a small area, beer pong going on in one corner, food in the other corner, a punch bowl full of who knows what and red solo cups everywhere. This is the party scene or the “college experience” some talk about, though less crowded are some, alcohol is a key component in a ‘good time’. “It’ll be fun!” –they said normally lands you with a headache the next morning at hopefully a residence you remember being at. People love the drunken feeling, the lack of care, the ability to be obnoxious and it is adored. This cultural perception of the norm college experience might soon be changed.
In a recent study a pill was found to decrease the blood-alcohol level in mice. So what does this mean? This pill, called the “nano-pill” is a capsule composed of three enzymes that speed up chemical reactions and aid the liver in breaking down alcohol. This by no means says it’s saving the liver, but it does give the idea that it can keep it a little safer. If this pill works out, it could sober up drunks before they need to drive, or even let people experience being drunk but eliminate the next day side effects. If this drug is successful and is eventually produced and released to the mass public, it could change the college experience culture drastically. Could this be a good thing though? Would this pill build up the idea that everyone can drink and eliminate the idea of a designated driver by just giving one the pill earlier before they leave? Would it just be used for hangover prevention? Would it be a huge relief or a huge burden on the lives of many? Would it make parties more fun and prevent the amount of forgotten nights? Would these good times be better?
You've posed some insightful questions about the effects that this "magic pill" might have on the average college student's experience in American culture. I wonder if the pill would be something that was available freely over the counter or by prescription only - and then, under what conditions would one be able to get a prescription?
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of such a pill and find it interesting to come across information of such thing in a blog. I like how you question the redefintion of culture and how it will affect our moral and individualistic behavior if this drug ends up in the hands of irresponsible students. One negative to this intriguing article is all the questions asked with no attempt to answer your own questions. Rhetorical questions should make the reader think, but then be answered to sway and side with the arguement or point your are trying to make. Overall, great take on cultural change and diversity.
ReplyDeleteWow. I really enjoyed reading this. Definitely sounds too good to be true, and I'm sure it would appear that way to man. Because who enjoys waking up with a hangover, and not being able to remember the night before? I definitely feel like people would abuse this, just like any other thing in this world. But I suppose this would be an interesting thing to have available.
ReplyDeletelet me say this, if they make that pill, ill be first in line lol. but the point you focused was great that it kept me reading. it would be intresting to see the effects that it would have toward the "typical" college life after something as significant and a "anti-drunk" drug were to be released.
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