The other day I saw the movie Iron Man - and for those of you who have read my review - you know I loved it. For those of you who are thinking - "oh no, here comes more Iron Man worship" this entry is not going to be about the movie but about a subject which just got me thinking.
For those of you who have seen the movie you would no doubt have noticed that alcohol is very prevalent in it. I mean, comon, at the very start of the movie - Stark is sucking down some scotch as he is being escorted by the Military. He is drinking at his awards ceremony, he is drinking while on his way to a business presentation of the Jericho Missiles, he is drinking during (or right after) he gives his presentation, he drinks at home while working, he keeps hard liquor in his office, etc. etc.
Anyways - I know you're thinking who cares or what's the point - it's just a movie and he loves drinking...
A lot of movies often depict top management or CEO's as drinkers...often keeping bottles of the finest liquors in their offices and sucking back a shot or two while working or meeting. Usually this is no secret as their offices seem to have a little bar displayed for all.
I remember a time when I was a little kid and I was helping my dad with his Cleaning business and my job was to empty all the garbage's...I remember that out of all the offices we cleaned the top bosses offices always had huge bottles of Crowne Royal or some other type of nice hard liquor proudly displayed in their cabinets with shot glasses to match.
Now for those that know me - you know I am an avid fan of a hard alcoholic beverage, (preferably Rye or Vodka) but no matter how much I drink - I usually feel a nice buzz after a couple of hard shots or so.
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Which brings me to the point of my ramblings...if the top guys of companies are always drinking - does that mean to say that a majority of business decisions or ideas that come from the top level are actually made drunk? If so - that's fucking scary! Take the example of Stark in Iron Man...are all the weapons that he designs actually thought up of when he could very well be drunk? I know that when I get drunk I think of some pretty crazy shit - and if I had the means to make my ideas come true I would. I can picture Stark absolutely ripped and thinking of something like: "I want to create a missile that when launched - separates into many missiles and can blow up even more shit"...then starts production!
I can tell you - the other day I was drunk and wanted to make a homemade flamethrower just after looking at a bottle of lighter fluid...and I can honestly tell you that if the materials were readily available I would have made it!
Anyways, in reality how many business decisions are actually influenced by alcohol? If you have time check out this article about how drinking and work go hand in hand with each other. The basic point is that drinking makes you more sociable - which makes you more contacts - which makes you more money. I can't say I disagree with this.
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The only problem I see - is that I think more decisions that are made when under the influence would be emotional rather than reasonable. An example of this can be seen from my own brother. I know that if he is sober he will never let me borrow any money. But if I ask to borrow some cash when he has been drinking he has no problem - sometimes giving me more than I need! I guess my point is that drinking can really flip someone's mood upside down. Imagine if I'm the president and after a few drinks with my buds the conversation moved to bombs and I just happened to think it would be "kick ass" to bomb the Philippines - so I do...I'm sure the next day I'd regret the decision but who the fuck cares 'cause at the time it was fun!
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Of course I am going over the top with that example - but anyways just thought it would be fun to poke at...and for those of you reading your argument may be: "Hey they aren't drinking that much - it's not like they are drunk!" - well I know that - but my point is that even with that shot or two it's guaranteed to affect whatever mood they are in.
On another note - do you notice in movies that no matter how much people drink they always seem to be absolutely fine? With all the drinking Stark does in Iron Man I wouldn't think I would have the same reflexes and quick thinking he does like when getting shot at and stuff.
For all of those drinkers out there - keep on chuggin' and have one for me!
--End Communication--