Unfortunately, this segues directly into the conversation on how the western world handles substances. Particularly the absolute saturation of them in America, where 2/3 of Americans are on prescription drugs, and over-the-counter substances are not only rampantly used but socially propagated. Even if we reclassify sugar, nothing will change because we've built this house on the substance cornerstone.
Thank you for reading my work and commenting. It really does mean a lot, I should look to post something new soon.
I have to say, I always find it worrying when I hear Americans talking about medications. The average stateside person seems utterly fluent in pharmaceuticals, their attributes, reactions with other substances, side effects and withdrawal symptoms. It seems like the average person has a phenomenal amount of knowledge about them - can't be good.
I would say the same about how people can now "speak therapy" so well. Me 30 years ago wouldn't have a clue what some people say nowadays about mental health and therapy etc and how "healing" & "trauma" etc is so normalised. Very telling of where we are in society.
I didn't mean for this post to come across in any way preachy, but fear it does.
No worries, I didn't find it too preachy. I feel pretty much the same way about sugar and modern food in general, and am constantly perplexed by how people treat the situation. But hey, that's me. I've got eating problems.
Haha, Mind Pilot… your post had me smiling the whole way through! I love how you take us on the full rollercoaster—sugar as villain, sugar as hero, sugar as substance. There’s a real kindness in your honesty and in noticing the little details, like the tiredness of energy drink drinkers and the bees’ honey medicine.
It’s refreshing to see someone admit how cultural narratives shape our ideas about food—and then gently, humorously, flip the script. I think the takeaway (pun intended!) is that respect and awareness are everything: sugar isn’t inherently evil, it’s context, purpose, and moderation that make the difference.
Thanks for making us think, laugh, and reconsider our everyday substances all at once.
Unfortunately, this segues directly into the conversation on how the western world handles substances. Particularly the absolute saturation of them in America, where 2/3 of Americans are on prescription drugs, and over-the-counter substances are not only rampantly used but socially propagated. Even if we reclassify sugar, nothing will change because we've built this house on the substance cornerstone.
Thank you for reading my work and commenting. It really does mean a lot, I should look to post something new soon.
I have to say, I always find it worrying when I hear Americans talking about medications. The average stateside person seems utterly fluent in pharmaceuticals, their attributes, reactions with other substances, side effects and withdrawal symptoms. It seems like the average person has a phenomenal amount of knowledge about them - can't be good.
I would say the same about how people can now "speak therapy" so well. Me 30 years ago wouldn't have a clue what some people say nowadays about mental health and therapy etc and how "healing" & "trauma" etc is so normalised. Very telling of where we are in society.
I didn't mean for this post to come across in any way preachy, but fear it does.
I hope you enjoyed it anyway 🙂
No worries, I didn't find it too preachy. I feel pretty much the same way about sugar and modern food in general, and am constantly perplexed by how people treat the situation. But hey, that's me. I've got eating problems.
Haha, Mind Pilot… your post had me smiling the whole way through! I love how you take us on the full rollercoaster—sugar as villain, sugar as hero, sugar as substance. There’s a real kindness in your honesty and in noticing the little details, like the tiredness of energy drink drinkers and the bees’ honey medicine.
It’s refreshing to see someone admit how cultural narratives shape our ideas about food—and then gently, humorously, flip the script. I think the takeaway (pun intended!) is that respect and awareness are everything: sugar isn’t inherently evil, it’s context, purpose, and moderation that make the difference.
Thanks for making us think, laugh, and reconsider our everyday substances all at once.
Thank you so much for another thoughtful response!
I'm glad you enjoyed it and it put a smile on your face.
If you got a kick out of it, then that's more than good enough for me 😁