NationStates Jolt Archive

I know some straight-edgers, but not very good. I do not intend to talk you out of it; I just want to understand why. So I direct my question here:

What made you choose to be straight edge?

I don't call myself "straightedge" but I don't drink alcohol or smoke or abuse drugs.

I don't call myself "straightedge" but I don't drink alcohol or smoke or abuse drugs.
Why (not, whatever)?

That shit is not for me. Body = temple.

How much soda do you drink?

That shit is not for me. Body = temple.
I assume you've tried. Did you have an extremely bad experience? Or did you just decide your quality of life did not improve of it?

being punk and nude and surfers...........well its just more fun when your NOT straight! ;)

How much soda do you drink?

None, actually. I mostly drink milk, water and orange juice.

I've smoked (a ciggarette) once in my entire life. I never will again. I have seen the effects of drug abuse (and alcohol) on my (former) friends. The whole binge/getting drunk culture isn't something that appeals to me. I know, it's possible to drink in moderation...I'd just rather not. From what my friends tell me, it tastes like shit anyway(?).

P.S.

I'm a Medical student. Once you get to see and touch a cancerous lung you'll think ciggarettes are the work of Satan for the rest of your life.

Can't say I agree that it tastes like shit, I find some good taste in some of the better made alcoholic drinks.

Kudos to you on the lack of soda tho, that stuff's just poison ^_^

"My body is a temple - the boots stay on the outside." - Dennis O'Leary

Ah, straight edge... The Gospel according to Ian. Basically, it's for people who can't handle their booze. It's a big fucking self-aggrandizing pose.

Do I consider myself to be straightedge because I do not drink or do drugs? Yes

Am I one of those shitty SxE scenesters? No

I dont drink or smoke or abuse drugs. I have tried smoking, and drinking up to some amount, but I didnt enjoy it particularly and I just decided, why bother. Its money wasted, and I know this is cliché, but I do have fun without it :)
Besides, it's so fun being the only one who isn't hung-over the following day :p

Besides, it's so fun being the only one who isn't hung-over the following day :p

AMEN!

Straight-edge?

I'm either too old, too unfashionable or too British to have heard this expression.

I assume from the other responses that it's a term for someone who doesn't drink or do drugs.

Yeah, I am straightedge

Yeah, while my brother and his friends were lying in comatose states around my house and missing the first hours of their pitiful blue collar jobs, I was up at six am and dressed to kill, heading out for interviews for my Public Relations internships.

There's something to be said for moderation,

God! You dammed "straigh edgers!" I live in Utah and you guys are all over the place and it never fails to see them going to seminary and all that shit. The only reason they are sXe is to rebel without making their parents mad. It's so easy to be sXe I mean you don't have to earn it you practically just have to do nothing.

Granted there are some real ones out there I know that but, most of the ones here are just fake little mormon kids who wanna rebel without pissing their parents off.

Is there a middle ground? I drink sometimes, smoke cigarettes rarely, and other things very rarely.

I enjoy all of the above but recognise how bad they are for me personally, hence the moderation. I know lots of people who hold down excellent jobs while toking their nights away. Moderation is finding your own limits, imho.

Do the abstainers here think that abstinence is the only way?

Do the body=temple people also ban sugar, saturated fat, red meat, dairy products yada yada from their diet, or does "my body is a temple" really mean "my body is an expression of my religion - i only put into it things i believe are right" ?

Do the body=temple people also ban sugar, saturated fat, red meat, dairy products yada yada from their diet, or does "my body is a temple" really mean "my body is an expression of my religion - i only put into it things i believe are right" ?

I do not eat meat but I haven't banned sugar or dairy. I just don't have them in excess. Isn't milk brilliant?

I don't smoke or do drugs, and I have never tried, either. I have had some alcohol sometimes, but it is a rare thing for me. I do believe in that minimum level of self-respect.

I wouldn't consider myself to be a straight-edger though, because that's an American-specific thing, and they dress all-nu-metal and listen to crap rock bands and stuff. Not my scene.

The only reason they are sXe is to rebel without making their parents mad. It's so easy to be sXe I mean you don't have to earn it you practically just have to do nothing.

Granted there are some real ones out there I know that but, most of the ones here are just fake little mormon kids who wanna rebel without pissing their parents off.

The best reason I've ever heard from a straight-edger - "'coz I don't want to be a fucking **** like my dad." You can't argue with that.


Go here for the SxE hall of shame:
http://howsyouredge.com/edgebreak/

I guess people would consider me straight-edge. I'm not for putting any sort of burning crap into my lungs under any circumstances, and although I'm not against alcohol I rarely if ever drink (I think it's more fun to be sober and I am normally driving). I just don't think the stuff is right for me.

Isn't the correct term teetotaler? not straightedge?

Isn't the correct term teetotaler? not straightedge?

Nah: a "teatotaler" only covers someone that doesn't drink alcohol - it says nothing about whether they smoke tobacco or do other drugs.

Roger that, thanks

Straight Edge = Wasted Life

Straight Edge = Wasted Life

Nah:

"Straight Edge" = song by Minor Threat released in 1981.
"Wasted Life" = song by Stiff Little Fingers released in 1978.

Straight-edge? I consider myself a basically responsible person, if that's what you mean. I don't smoke anything because that stuff screws up your body, and I don't drink mostly because it would be illegal, and I try to obey the majority of laws the majority of the time. When I'm old enough, I'll probably drink every once in awhile.

Nah: a "teatotaler" only covers someone that doesn't drink alcohol - it says nothing about whether they smoke tobacco or do other drugs.

The origin of the word teetotaler comes from golf, where the person who was the least drunk would add up the golf scores.

It doesn't mean they don't drink, it just means they don't drink to the excessive amount that blurs judgement and higher reasoning.

I am a teetotaler. I have never had the constitution to consume large amounts of alcohol. I learned early that more than two drinks, and someone has to hold my hair back while i puke. Alcohol is a poison. In small doses it has benefits, like digitalis. In large quantities it is a death wish.

I am NOT a straight-edger. I am for the legalization of marijuana. The worst thing i have ever seen someone do smoking pot is to raid the refrigerator, or stop at green lights, or wait for a stop sign to change. I think the use of marijuana might decrease road rage and domestic violence, because when i am high, the assholes aren't assholes any more, just poor, misguided souls. :D

Nah:

"Straight Edge" = song by Minor Threat released in 1981.
"Wasted Life" = song by Stiff Little Fingers released in 1978.


:D :D :D :D

"Straight-edgers"... this is the first time I've even read the term. I looked it up, and I guess it has something to do with a music scene of some sort too? I don't know the first thing about that, but I don't drink, smoke, or use any sort of narcotics. I have no desire to, either. Maybe that fits your definition of the term, but I'm not part of any group or community (as I understand some of the "SxE" has to do with??), and I don't make any moral judgements on other people. I just don't like alcohol, mostly.

the term straight edge is narrowly connected to hardcore (hardcore punk, not the techno shit). Mainly because of Minor Threat

The origin of the word teetotaler comes from golf, where the person who was the least drunk would add up the golf scores.

Interesting. Thanks for that.


EDIT: I accepted that story for 15 minutes and then decided to check up on it. I can't find any evidence for your explanation, instead it seems to have been coined in 1833 by the English abstinence campaigner Richard Turner, an advocate of total avoidance of alcoholic drinks. It seems that the word is probably the product of "total" with an added duplication of the initial 'T' for emphasis. Thus it seems that not only is your story erroneus, but also your claim that it means someone who may drink alcohol, but not to excess. You may of course have evidence to the contrary, which I would be interested in seeing.

No alcohol, sure.
No cigarettes, sure.
No drugs, sure.
Hard-core instead of oi punk, NO WAY (and now I didn't even mention the meat)!

Actually I don't know anyone who is "edger", how big is sXe outside US?

No alcohol, sure.
No cigarettes, sure.
No drugs, sure.
Hard-core instead of oi punk, NO WAY (and now I didn't even mention the meat)!

Actually I don't know anyone who is "edger", how big is sXe outside US?
Not as big as in the US

Not as big as in the US

OK, roughly, how many people are straite edge in US?

I guess it's more common among people who listen to hardcore/punk in the UK, but definitely labelling yourself as "sXe" is not too common here. And thank God for that.

Actually I don't know anyone who is "edger", how big is sXe outside US?


The phrase is not "X is an edger", but "X has the edge", at least in these parts, most often said with either a slightly mocking or an ironic tone of voice. Ireland has maybe 15 or 20 that I now of in the North. As far as Dublin and all points south goes, I'll admit that I don't know, but the main scene there is still a crusty one. I get the feeling that England has more of a straight-edge scene than Ireland.

Hard-core instead of oi punk, NO WAY (and now I didn't even mention the meat)!

Soy not Oi!*


____________
* 5 shiny new punk points to whomsoever gets the reference.

Interesting. Thanks for that.


EDIT: I accepted that story for 15 minutes and then decided to check up on it. I can't find any evidence for your explanation, instead it seems to have been coined in 1833 by the English abstinence campaigner Richard Turner, an advocate of total avoidance of alcoholic drinks. It seems that the word is probably the product of "total" with an added duplication of the initial 'T' for emphasis. Thus it seems that not only is your story erroneus, but also your claim that it means someone who may drink alcohol, but not to excess. You may of course have evidence to the contrary, which I would be interested in seeing.
the oxford english dictionary agrees with you

God! You dammed "straigh edgers!" I live in Utah and you guys are all over the place and it never fails to see them going to seminary and all that shit. The only reason they are sXe is to rebel without making their parents mad. It's so easy to be sXe I mean you don't have to earn it you practically just have to do nothing.

Granted there are some real ones out there I know that but, most of the ones here are just fake little mormon kids who wanna rebel without pissing their parents off.
it must suck to be a teenager in utah

how in the world does abstaining from alcohol, cigarettes and drugs qualify as rebellion?

I'm, er, from the US. Assuming that it means no drugs, I almost pass that. I take no drugs except caffeine, because, well, I'm a student. I pull all-nighters, it's what we do at my school.

Drugs mess with your brain; and when you're planning to go into a career in academia, you want to keep all the brain you have left over from 1) touching your head against an electric fence in 1st grade and 2) always beating your head against the walls. So I don't plan on ever doing anything, ever.

it must suck to be a teenager in utah

how in the world does abstaining from alcohol, cigarettes and drugs qualify as rebellion?

Well they listen to punk-music, if you have conservative parents that counts. If you then have some real individual opinions during the teen-rebellion I just think it is good.

it must suck to be a teenager in utah

how in the world does abstaining from alcohol, cigarettes and drugs qualify as rebellion?

Especially if they're mormon? I thought mormons were, like, automatically straight edge..."I'm rebelling against you by being good?"




I'm straightedge, but I'm not all preechy and such; my friends know that I don't do that shit, I know they do, and we're all fine. They can call me boring behind me back, and I can call them fucking idiots behind theirs :p

As to why, there's a few reasons. One, I've seen what it does. That really should need no explaining.

Two, it's a self control thing. I used to be a cutter, and I'm really, really uneasy about anything that takes away my judgement. I really do not like it when I'm not in control of my own body.

Three, I'm a bit like Epicurus in believing that life should be experienced with all five senses open. Getting drunk doesn't bring delight to the senses-it just makes somene "blissfully ignorant." Another point for being straightedge :p

Here's the last thing: I really don't need to smoke, drink, or do drugs to enjoy myself. I've seen people who do, and I find it rather sad that they have a requirement in order to have fun. So for me, I guess a better question would be: why SHOULD I do any of it?

how in the world does abstaining from alcohol, cigarettes and drugs qualify as rebellion?

How doesn't it?

It's not as if these things aren't freely available and are used only by a tiny minority.

As to why, there's a few reasons. One, I've seen what it does. That really should need no explaining.

Two, it's a self control thing. I used to be a cutter, and I'm really, really uneasy about anything that takes away my judgement. I really do not like it when I'm not in control of my own body.

Three, I'm a bit like Epicurus in believing that life should be experienced with all five senses open. Getting drunk doesn't bring delight to the senses-it just makes somene "blissfully ignorant." Another point for being straightedge :p

Here's the last thing: I really don't need to smoke, drink, or do drugs to enjoy myself. I've seen people who do, and I find it rather sad that they have a requirement in order to have fun. So for me, I guess a better question would be: why SHOULD I do any of it?

So you don't need to be a vegetarian?

So you don't need to be a vegetarian?

Some take it to that extreme yes, and also abstain from "promiscuous" sex. Imagine Ned Flanders if he listened to Earth Crisis and had a black X drawn on his hand and you'll have some idea of what it's all about.

Mmm...I eat red meat, drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, do assorted drugs, and have pre-marital sex. You straightedgers don't know what you're all missing.

Imagine Ned Flanders if he listened to Earth Crisis and had a black X drawn on his hand and you'll have some idea of what it's all about.

Or possibly listening to Vegan Reich with the X tattooed.*



_______

* A sure sign of someone about to break the edge, getting a sXe tat.

Mmm...I eat red meat, drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, do assorted drugs, and have pre-marital sex. You straightedgers don't know what you're all missing.

Speaking as a smoker myself - don't do it kids.
It fucks you then it kills you.

What's sad is that someday all you edgers (I don't give a fuck how you're really supposed to refer to it) are going to die someday (of nothing) and will face the gods and be held accountable for all the fruits of the world you refused to enjoy.

Go live, you little twerps .... LIVE!

I don't call myself "straightedge" but I don't drink alcohol or smoke or abuse drugs.
Same...personal choice here. I have an addictive personality, I realize that, and I stay away from things that could cause it to come into play.

Speaking as a smoker myself - don't do it kids.
It fucks you then it kills you.


I don't smoke cigarettes. I smoke a pipe.

My brother is dying of smoking and alchohol abuse.

I will not take that path.

I know some straight-edgers, but not very good. I do not intend to talk you out of it; I just want to understand why. So I direct my question here:

What made you choose to be straight edge?

I think the main consideration is that I do not want to ever be out of control of my own mind. I don't want to approach things from a diminished capacity and end up making more stupid mistakes than I would normally make. Some of those sorts of mistakes that can be made can cost one's life, or the lives of others.

I've also observed addictive behaviors in family members, and I know those sorts of tendencies can be passed down through families. Knowing this makes me even more risk-averse. I'm not going to gamble, knowing full well that I likely inherited the same propensities to get out of hand. I do not even want to find out if I did or did not--and if I do not take in such substances, I will never HAVE to know.

I've also seen the damage that intoxicating substances can do to people, or to the lives of others, quite closely. Cigarettes have wrecked the health of my grandmother, killed my great uncle (I attended the funeral, and I saw what cancer and its treatments do to the body), and damaged others in my family. Alcohol has caused problems for an uncle, who is doing better now. I also knew a girl who was my best friend for several years, whose mother was killed by a drunk driver when she was 6, and saw the scars that had left on her heart even years later.

Another point about alcohol...the smell. I absolutely can't stand it, even in mixed drinks and wine and so on. If I can't stand the smell of it, I sure as heck can't drink it. Cigarettes and weed are a similar story, except that in this case the secondhand smoke gives me a massive headache like nothing else can. Knowing this, I sure as heck don't want to deliberately take that stuff in my body. I can only imagine THAT headache.

Illegal substances have similar reasons to cigarettes and alcohol, with the added elements that many of them are even MORE addictive and more dangerous to judgment and health.

The only substance that ever got me "curious" was LSD. But why do that, when you can lucid-dream? Yes, lucid dreaming requires a lot more effort, but it's fun and 100% safe when you can get it to work.

I'd say I covered most bases here. ;-)

Re: all the responses about how people who abstain "don't know what they are missing". I don't care. I know more about a great variety of topics than alot of people, but I don't go around preaching about how people who are ignorant about these topics don't know what they're missing. Different people enjoy different things. If it makes me boring that I do not enjoy what you enjoy, then I can only lament the sad state of your humanity.

Re: all the responses about how people who abstain "don't know what they are missing". I don't care. I know more about a great variety of topics than alot of people, but I don't go around preaching about how people who are ignorant about these topics don't know what they're missing. Different people enjoy different things. If it makes me boring that I do not enjoy what you enjoy, then I can only lament the sad state of your humanity.
Yea... not many people know about the black plague... guess we just don't know what we're missing.

Use Your Mind - Extreme Noise Terror

I can't stand I can't think
I've had too much to drink
Forced down my pills and I can't wait
Gonna be fucked, don't wanna be straight!
Your view is restricted, so is your mind
You've got to break down the barriers and use your mind
I drink to much but I've nothing to lose
You stick to your fashion and I'll stick to my booze
Watching you preach has become rather bland
What do you expect to change with an 'X' on your hand?

My menu for a long and healthy life (assuming i don't die in a car wreck or something):
NO MEAT! poor animals. And no dairy or poultry that has been fed any sort of hormone. That's disturbing, and unhealthy, if not for me, then to the poor little critters. And, no smoking, as I am asthmatic(YA HEAR THAT, MS. NEXT DOOR??!) and not enough alcohol to get hung over. TADA! I'm heart healthy. Plus, it's ever so much more fun to watch people be drunk than it is to BE drunk. At least you can remember it when when you're sober. And operate a camera...

Re: all the responses about how people who abstain "don't know what they are missing". I don't care. I know more about a great variety of topics than alot of people, but I don't go around preaching about how people who are ignorant about these topics don't know what they're missing. Different people enjoy different things. If it makes me boring that I do not enjoy what you enjoy, then I can only lament the sad state of your humanity.

I've found in my experience that straight-edgers are the preachiest sort of people out there, constantly reminding me that drugs and alcohol are destroying my body, as if I've somehow missed the omnipresent reminders in daily life. And the "I can only lament the sad state of your humanity" sounds quite judgemental, if I may say so.

let's see... checklist form.

i drink
i smoke pot
i have sex

i take tylenol for really bad headaches (i don't use it on normal ones 'cause i don't want a tolerance to them)
don't drink much pop
don't eat meat
try to eat healthy

and i exercise now and then.

i think i'm in good shape. moderation is the key.

i think i'm in good shape. moderation is the key.

It may be brutal of me to say, but I think abstinence is just an excuse for people too weak-willed to enjoy things in moderation.

I've found in my experience that straight-edgers are the preachiest sort of people out there, constantly reminding me that drugs and alcohol are destroying my body, as if I've somehow missed the omnipresent reminders in daily life. And the "I can only lament the sad state of your humanity" sounds quite judgemental, if I may say so.

yeah, soem straight edge people are so preachy and annoying...

though i find that the kids who learn from their guidance councellors that one hit of pot will leave you mentally retarded and then insist you have brain damage to be more annoying.

It may be brutal of me to say, but I think abstinence is just an excuse for people too weak-willed to enjoy things in moderation.

What if a person (for instance) was aware that they have or are likely to have a genetic predisposition that would make them very vulnerable to overindulgence, such as becoming an alcoholic or being addicted to something else? Wouldn't that person be exercising STRONG will by being rational enough to realize that they should not put themselves in what they know to be a potentially VERY dangerous situation for them, and following through on that understanding? For instance, I can very readily observe such things on my father's side of the family. It's a very prevalent trait, enough to give me definite pause. I even see the tendencies in myself, on lesser behaviors that do not include drugs and so on. Based on this, I believe that it could be extremely easy for me to become immoderate with those things even with a major exertion of willpower. Thus, I do not wish to even put myself in a situation where that could happen. Believe me, in some areas, this is not easy and I must exercise a great deal of restraint to carry this out. On the grounds of this, my own experience, that's why I say I think you're jumping to conclusions here.

What if a person (for instance) was aware that they have or are likely to have a genetic predisposition that would make them very vulnerable to overindulgence, such as becoming an alcoholic or being addicted to something else? Wouldn't that person be exercising STRONG will by being rational enough to realize that they should not put themselves in what they know to be a potentially VERY dangerous situation for them, and following through on that understanding? For instance, I can very readily observe such things on my father's side of the family. It's a very prevalent trait, enough to give me definite pause. I even see the tendencies in myself, on lesser behaviors that do not include drugs and so on. Based on this, I believe that it could be extremely easy for me to become immoderate with those things even with a major exertion of willpower. Thus, I do not wish to even put myself in a situation where that could happen. Believe me, in some areas, this is not easy and I must exercise a great deal of restraint to carry this out. On the grounds of this, my own experience, that's why I say I think you're jumping to conclusions here.

I'm not saying I respect anyone any less if they do decide to abstain from alcohol or drugs. In fact, if they're intelligent enough to understand their predisposition to alcoholism or drug abuse and therefore avoid those vices, then I'd probably respect them more for possessing that sort of wisdom. But being genetically predisposed to anything doesn't necessarily mean you will fall to a similar fate. That's a very defeatist attitude: that alcoholism or drug abuse in your genes, so it's inevitable that you will succumb to them. I'm not saying that it's bad that they choose to abstain, but I do think that it's an excuse on their part because they don't believe in themselves enough to overcome whatever predisposition might be in their genes.

It may be brutal of me to say, but I think abstinence is just an excuse for people too weak-willed to enjoy things in moderation.

it's not always the case, some people get addicted to things easliy and thus avoid them. former alcoholics know what happens when they drink, and they know it's a bad thing, they've been down that road and know what's there. there are some who can drink on occasion and be fine, but many won't take that chance. it's not necesarily a matter of being weak-willed...

however, there are people who are just scared that they'll become addicted and avoid it completely. some people don't give themselves enough credit, i find.

then there's also the possibility that they don't like those sorts of activities. there are people who don't like booze, or cigarettes et c. though i find those people don't tend to be like "oh i'm sXe! look at me!"

I'm not saying I respect anyone any less if they do decide to abstain from alcohol or drugs. In fact, if they're intelligent enough to understand their predisposition to alcoholism or drug abuse and therefore avoid those vices, then I'd probably respect them more for possessing that sort of wisdom. But being genetically predisposed to anything doesn't necessarily mean you will fall to a similar fate. That's a very defeatist attitude: that alcoholism or drug abuse in your genes, so it's inevitable that you will succumb to them. I'm not saying that it's bad that they choose to abstain, but I do think that it's an excuse on their part because they don't believe in themselves enough to overcome whatever predisposition might be in their genes.

It doesn't mean it's inevitable, I know--however, it makes the risk and the probability greater, and given what I have seen these things do to others in and out of my family, it's not something I am willing to gamble with.

I have had to deal with other "predisposed" behaviors that DID wind up becoming expressed (something similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder), and I can tell you firsthand that it takes an extraordinary amount of courage and willpower to overcome something like that without the aid of medication. I have had reasonable success in my efforts, and for that I am very grateful. But to me, my current battle serves as a clear warning that running a major risk of adding more addictive-type behaviors, especially when I am finally making substantive progress on a different front, would be a very bad idea.

it's not always the case, some people get addicted to things easliy and thus avoid them. former alcoholics know what happens when they drink, and they know it's a bad thing, they've been down that road and know what's there. there are some who can drink on occasion and be fine, but many won't take that chance. it's not necesarily a matter of being weak-willed...

Like I said, I respect someone MORE if they realize their weaknesses and fight to avoid succumbing to them. But I still see it as their lack of willpower to overcome their weakenesses


however, there are people who are just scared that they'll become addicted and avoid it completely. some people don't give themselves enough credit, i find.

Absolutely. I find people put far too little trust in the human spirit. People really ought to trust themselves and trust humanity more. That's one of the big reasons I dislike religion so much, but that's a different argument for a different time.

then there's also the possibility that they don't like those sorts of activities. there are people who don't like booze, or cigarettes et c. though i find those people don't tend to be like "oh i'm sXe! look at me!"

I don't know if you've ever experienced this, but these sort of attention-whore straightedgers are just like the people in my high school who would pretend to be gay/lesbian (usually girls pretending to be lesbians) just so people would pay attention to them. They'd claim they were gay, but they never so much as kissed other members of the same sex, and the few that I've run into since graduating are back to dating members of the opposite sex. Attention-seeking people like that really irritate me.

It doesn't mean it's inevitable, I know--however, it makes the risk and the probability greater, and given what I have seen these things do to others in and out of my family, it's not something I am willing to gamble with.

I agree, and like I've said I respect those who understand their weaknesses and work to avoid succumbing to them. It's all just part of a larger view I have that people need to learn to believe in themselves alot more than most do these days.


I have had to deal with other "predisposed" behaviors that DID wind up becoming expressed (something similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder), and I can tell you firsthand that it takes an extraordinary amount of courage and willpower to overcome something like that without the aid of medication. I have had reasonable success in my efforts, and for that I am very grateful. But to me, my current battle serves as a clear warning that running a major risk of adding more addictive-type behaviors, especially when I am finally making substantive progress on a different front, would be a very bad idea.

I suppose I've never had to deal with the struggle because I've never had addictions to battle. I even smoked cigarettes, pack a day, for 3 years. I quit cold turkey and never looked back. I didn't even have any of the withdrawal symptoms that you often hear about. I can see how I might not understand the struggle some people might have with these sort of vices.

WOW!
I really whish i was drunk right now, but I guess i'll just give a sober response. From what I obtained you never even had a drink. Maybe you should add some vodka and kalouha to that milk to kick it up a notch and try a white russian if ur too big of a woman to drink a beer. If you are going with the whole medical reason with the fucked up lung i can see that so don't smoke when you drink you have a spaire kidney and your liver, that on of a bitch can take alot actually it gets bigger and stronger over time. But in all siriousness drinking is somthing that should be tried in my personal opinion and all that about your friends saying it tastes like shit they are either wrong or all ten years old.

Absolutely. I find people put far too little trust in the human spirit. People really ought to trust themselves and trust humanity more. That's one of the big reasons I dislike religion so much, but that's a different argument for a different time.

you've got to wonder if that's why we don't trust others (as a species) i mean, if you can't trust yourself, if you don't believe in yourself, then how can you believe in a total stranger? or hell, even a close friend? you know yourself better than you know any of them (usually)
perhaps if everyone practised some self-love more often the world would be a better place.
*hugs self* well said. :) (i'm getting on the whole appreciating myself thing now... if you couln't tell)

I don't know if you've ever experienced this, but these sort of attention-whore straightedgers are just like the people in my high school who would pretend to be gay/lesbian (usually girls pretending to be lesbians) just so people would pay attention to them. They'd claim they were gay, but they never so much as kissed other members of the same sex, and the few that I've run into since graduating are back to dating members of the opposite sex. Attention-seeking people like that really irritate me.

hmm... my highschool wasn't too bad at that. as far as i know, there was one straight edge kid and you'd never know it, i can't even remember how that came up. there was a lesbian couple in the music room all the time, they made out in the hall one day and it was this huge deal, meanwhile the opposite sex couples make out everywhere (hell, i gave a handjob on school property once, though not in the middle of a hall) they weren't so much attention whores about it though. i never knew either were lesbians until i noticed that they were hugging an awful lot all the time. there was one gay guy (again, that i knew of) and one of my friends went through the sexuality spectrum a couple of times... i think he's figured out that he's gay...

but yeah, i encounter the annoying straight edge kids online more than anything. perhaps us canadians are more mellow about things like this?

or maybe i just block out people who annoy me.

try a white russian if ur too big of a woman to drink a beer.

Hmm.

Vodka = 40% alcohol by volume.

Beer = 8% alcohol by volume.

But beer is a more manly drink? Why? Is it because it takes a real man to down all that water without getting bloated?

Hmm.

Vodka = 40% alcohol by volume.

Beer = 8% alcohol by volume.

But beer is a more manly drink? Why? Is it because it takes a real man to down all that water without getting bloated?

yeah, but mixed drinks don't have 40% alcohol/volume.

and isn't american beer considerably less alcoholic than that? hell, average canadian beer is around 5% or so...

I agree, and like I've said I respect those who understand their weaknesses and work to avoid succumbing to them. It's all just part of a larger view I have that people need to learn to believe in themselves alot more than most do these days.

It's not for lack of belief in myself...trust me on this. It's actually because of belief in myself, I think, that I have done what was necessary for me to deal definitively now with my current struggles (well...actually, ongoing for 9 years or so), and even to make the progress that I did in earlier days before I took my most recent, and most aggressive committment to self-improvement. While I don't want to talk about the particulars on this forum, I can say that I've seen and heard of others dealing with the same thing, and not that many seem to really make major progress against it--in many cases because people give up and decide that they're incapable of taking the steps they need to to have real change. :-(

I suppose I've never had to deal with the struggle because I've never had addictions to battle. I even smoked cigarettes, pack a day, for 3 years. I quit cold turkey and never looked back. I didn't even have any of the withdrawal symptoms that you often hear about. I can see how I might not understand the struggle some people might have with these sort of vices.

You were very fortunate indeed...I've seen people who did have the withdrawal symptoms and difficulties with cigarettes. :-/

It's amazing that the term 'straight-edger' hasn't popped up here in Australia yet. From what I've read here, I'm not one.
I don't smoke, drink, or take recreational drugs (medical ones don't really count, there's a good reason to take them.) Sounds a bit like most straight-edgers I hear about on this thread? Well, here's a jolt: I don't take the opiate of the masses either. I am an atheist, and will remain so.

My reasoning for my choices is that I look at the mistakes other people have made, and try to prevent making those mistakes myself. I have had alcohol in the past, but the taste stopped appealing to me by the time I was 11; and I heard more about my grandfather, who was a violent alcoholic.

you've got to wonder if that's why we don't trust others (as a species) i mean, if you can't trust yourself, if you don't believe in yourself, then how can you believe in a total stranger? or hell, even a close friend? you know yourself better than you know any of them (usually)
perhaps if everyone practised some self-love more often the world would be a better place.
*hugs self* well said. :) (i'm getting on the whole appreciating myself thing now... if you couln't tell)

Perhaps. It just rubs me the wrong way when athletes or musicians or actors credit all of their success to God. They need to learn to appreciate what they've put in. Maybe you can think God granted you the talent, but any athlete will tell you it takes infinitely more than just talent to succeed. I just wish they'd give themselves credit for all the blood, sweat, and tears they've put in to achieve what they have. That's what I mean about the human spirit thing. People need to believe in themselves more.



hmm... my highschool wasn't too bad at that. as far as i know, there was one straight edge kid and you'd never know it, i can't even remember how that came up. there was a lesbian couple in the music room all the time, they made out in the hall one day and it was this huge deal, meanwhile the opposite sex couples make out everywhere

There was one girl that I worked with when I was 17 or so. She styled herself as a lesbian, but I ran in to her this summer. She's engaged to some guy now.



(hell, i gave a handjob on school property once, though not in the middle of a hall)

Interesting.... Makes me wish I went to your high school. ;)


but yeah, i encounter the annoying straight edge kids online more than anything. perhaps us canadians are more mellow about things like this?


You're Canadian? I always had you pegged as British. Hmm.

yeah, but mixed drinks don't have 40% alcohol/volume.

and isn't american beer considerably less alcoholic than that? hell, average canadian beer is around 5% or so...

You are correct. 4% by volume. 8 proof. I made a mistake.

But even a mixed drink is more booze than a beer. Especially American beer.

I've found in my experience that straight-edgers are the preachiest sort of people out there, constantly reminding me that drugs and alcohol are destroying my body, as if I've somehow missed the omnipresent reminders in daily life. And the "I can only lament the sad state of your humanity" sounds quite judgemental, if I may say so.
And yet the phrase "straight-edgers are the preachiest sort of people out there" is so much more tolerant, isn't it?

And yet the phrase "straight-edgers are the preachiest sort of people out there" is so much more tolerant, isn't it?


I've found in my experience that straight-edgers are the preachiest sort of people out there, constantly reminding me that drugs and alcohol are destroying my body, as if I've somehow missed the omnipresent reminders in daily life. And the "I can only lament the sad state of your humanity" sounds quite judgemental, if I may say so.

I didn't make a broad, sweeping generalization. I just commented that the ones that I'VE met are the preachiest sort of people that I'VE met.

Perhaps. It just rubs me the wrong way when athletes or musicians or actors credit all of their success to God. They need to learn to appreciate what they've put in. Maybe you can think God granted you the talent, but any athlete will tell you it takes infinitely more than just talent to succeed. I just wish they'd give themselves credit for all the blood, sweat, and tears they've put in to achieve what they have. That's what I mean about the human spirit thing. People need to believe in themselves more.

yeah, i never get that. it's quite silly that people thank something they can't actually verify before trainers and managers. i mean, you've heard the saying, "god helps those who help themselves" and you know, i'm sure some other people must wonder why that is...

Interesting.... Makes me wish I went to your high school. ;)

well, it was just a matter of having a spare and a boyfreind in a class where the teacher didn't give a damn about the comings and goings of his class.

You're Canadian? I always had you pegged as British. Hmm.

hmm... nope, never even been over there, though i mean to someday.

But even a mixed drink is more booze than a beer. Especially American beer.

well, plus the other thing about mixed drinks is that you can't taste the booze so they go a lot faster.

and yeah, i think the water here almost has a higher percentage of alcohol than american beer.

q: what do american beer and sex in a canoe have in common?


a: they're both so damn close to water.

yeah, i never get that. it's quite silly that people thank something they can't actually verify before trainers and managers. i mean, you've heard the saying, "god helps those who help themselves" and you know, i'm sure some other people must wonder why that is...


Agreed. I've never understood it myself, knowing at least somewhat the kind of work you have to put into being a good athlete in any sport. Why credit God for all the hard work you put in? I can understand if you're religious and you believe God granted you the natural ability, but natural ability doesn't mean shit without the work. Credit yourself first for the will to succeed, then credit God for the natural talent.


hmm... nope, never even been over there, though i mean to someday.

Whereabouts in Canada?

q: what do american beer and sex in a canoe have in common?


a: they're both so damn close to water.

Nitpick:

Q: What do American beer and sex in a canoe have in common?

A: They're both fucking too close to water.

I didn't make a broad, sweeping generalization. I just commented that the ones that I'VE met are the preachiest sort of people that I'VE met.
And you seem very intolerant of straight-edgers, I didn't make a broad sweeping generalization. Im suggesting that you should practice the tolerance you seem to "preach".

Nitpick:

Q: What do American beer and sex in a canoe have in common?

A: They're both fucking too close to water.


that's it!

i knew it was somewhat off... glad you corrected me so i can tell the funnier version. :D

Agreed. I've never understood it myself, knowing at least somewhat the kind of work you have to put into being a good athlete in any sport. Why credit God for all the hard work you put in? I can understand if you're religious and you believe God granted you the natural ability, but natural ability doesn't mean shit without the work. Credit yourself first for the will to succeed, then credit God for the natural talent.

yeah, talent only ever takes you so far, the rest is hard work and determination.

Whereabouts in Canada?

ontario.

And you seem very intolerant of straight-edgers, I didn't make a broad sweeping generalization. Im suggesting that you should practice the tolerance you seem to "preach".

Why don't you keep what you percieve about me to yourself? I never said I am tolerant of anything. I said that the straightedgers that I've met are the preachiest kind of people that I've met, in response to the straightedger who replied that he was sick of being preached to by people who aren't. I didn't even say you made a generalization, I said I didn't. I'm not tolerant of straightedgers, and the ones I've met aren't tolerant of me.

ontario.

Ah, near me (relatively).

Why am I not a vegetarian? Well, for starters, eating meat doesn't delude any of my senses or cause me to lose control of myself. I'm not some ravenous carnivour :p. I actually don't eat a lot of meat (not through choice-because meat is expensive, and because I'm a starving college boy :p).

Once again, I don't preach to others-most people who do that usually ARN'T straightedge for any reason other then "Ha, now I have the moral high ground!" Just like most really good religious people don't flaunt it around.

As stated before, one of the other reasons I'm straightedge is because I detest losing control of myself in any way. Some people like to have a good drink, smoke, whatever to calm down. Me? At the risk of sounding cheesy and not unlike an after school special (you know, the kind where everyone meets in some pizza place in the end to talk about their "friendship" and what they "learned")-I just think positivly.

...Trust me, it really isn't that easy most of the time :p



For the record, I was "straightedge" before I even KNEW aobut it-I've never done drugs, smoked, drunk alcohol, or went sport fucking.

I've never come across any "preachers" here in Manchester (UK) and have only rarely ever seen anyone with X's all over them (even at gigs it's rare). I think it's because people are more laid-back here. If they're at a gig and someone is smoking (for e.g.), they'll just stand somewhere else. No point letting some f00 ruin the experience.