Italian Wine Podcast Ep. 2581 Why Humans Love to Drink with Professor Edward Slingerland | Book Club with Richard Hough
Welcome to the Italian Wine Podcast Book Club and Episode 2581 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with Professor Edward Slingerland about his book “Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization”. Amongst other things, this conversation explores Professor Slingerland’s academic background, his thoughts on effortless actions and the Chinese concept of Wu Wei, the Beer Before Bread Hypothesis, alcohol and creativity, how to emulate the Southern European drinking culture, the Evolutionary Hijack Hypothesis and Asian flush syndrome, as well as the rise of neo-prohibitionism and the importance of impactful first lines.
The Turkish archaeological site mentioned by Professor Slingerland is Göbekli Tepe. Archaeological evidence suggests it is one of the world's earliest sites for brewing beer, with massive stone troughs showing residue of fermented grain, indicating beer was central to large ritual feasts that may have spurred the development of agriculture.
The other book mentioned in the show was “Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity” by Professor Edward Slingerland.
The Book Review by Richard Hough:
“Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization” is a compelling and timely reminder of the central role that alcohol has played throughout the course of human history. Playful and entertaining, but also thought provoking and provocative, it explores, from an anthropological perspective, why we get drunk and even places alcohol at the heart of human evolution, making a powerful and persuasive case for the important role that moderate alcohol consumption can play in contemporary society.
About today’s guest:
Edward Slingerland is Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, with adjunct appointments in Psychology and Asian Studies, as well as Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Human Evolution, Cognition and Culture and Director of the Database of Religious History.
Professor Slingerland is the author of two trade books, Trying Not to Try (2014) and Drunk (2021), as well as multiple academic books, translations, and edited volumes. His work has been featured in major media outlets, and he has done numerous interviews on TV, radio, blogs, and podcasts, including NPR, the BBC, PBS, CNN, the CBC, and the Joe Rogan Experience.
Connect:
Website: https://www.edwardslingerland.com/
More about the host:
Richard Hough is the editor, translator and project curator behind The Art of Wine Storytelling, Wine Democracy and Vine and Prejudice. He has also published several books about life in Verona, chronicling the city’s history, culture and daily life, not forgetting, of course, its wine, including Verona Campione, published in May 2025. With a long-standing passion for whisky and beer, he’s a relative newcomer to the world of wine and is now desperately trying to make up for lost time! He is the host of Book Club on the Italian Wine Podcast.
Connect:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rickhough.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verona_campione
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhough/
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