On a less directly depressing note, I find it amusing that nearly all cultures of the world and in history, many entirely on their own, found some way of producing alcohol.  Vodka from potatoes, rum as a part of sugar production, whiskey from rye, sake from rice, wine from grapes, beer from barley...

I propose that it is an interesting statement on the human condition that essentially all the people of the worlds, by hell or high water, have developed alcohol, out of some kind of need or desire.

... I need to edit this entry for voice and post it to SRWUG as Alex.