I don't know if anybody scanned thru as many as I did, but does anyone else notice a peculiar trend toward an almost Downs-like facial deformity? (particularly around the nose/eyes) Whether this is a particular ethnic group and/or genetic anomaly, I can't recall, but it seems odd that so many would be homeless alcoholics.

Pale, I scanned through almost 750 (I'm a nut for sicko candids) and I noticed a few trends.                                                                 first, many of the drunks pictured have the kind of end stage alcoholism physical maladies you don't often see in this country. (most end stage alcoholics in this country are in the hospital or nursing home by that time.) facial edema, dementia, weird bone issues, advanced liver disease-all are pretty much textbook  and on view in the pics. Also, I saw some fetal alcohol syndrome adults in the pics-adults who were exposed in utero to the demon rum or worse. Finally, I saw a few eskimo/sino-asiatic folks, who do have a lethal, genetically passed tendency towards severe alcoholism.

Reminds me of the homeless in Tokyo - however the Japanese homeless are a bit more proper and tidy.

icangetyouatoe wrote:

first, many of the drunks pictured have the kind of end stage alcoholism physical maladies you don't often see in this country. facial edema, dementia, weird bone issues, advanced liver disease-all are pretty much textbook  and on view in the pics. Also, I saw some fetal alcohol syndrome adults in the pics-adults who were exposed in utero to the demon rum or worse. Finally, I saw a few eskimo/sino-asiatic folks, who do have a lethal, genetically passed tendency towards severe alcoholism.

I just can't decide if I'm seeing 'Sino-Asiatics,' a chromosomal anomaly, or both. As for better digs in the US, you're right (repub here if the NYT won't let you see it w/o registration). 'Weird [abuse-related] bone issues' would not account for that degree of deformation (erosion yes, but Uma Thurman-esque eye distance, no).

Whatever it is, I guess my curiosity lies in why this is not a recognized 'national health issue' for Russia as diabetes and alcoholism are for Native Americans...but I suppose I answer my own question there. We can return to belittling them to make ourselves feel better, now.


4Choad: If that were so, then I have both the 'Russian' (white, mostly European) and latent Asiatic genes, but not that--as Fnord might put it--mongoloid quality. Nor a difficulty with processing liquor. ICGYAT makes some extremely insightful observations that I wanted to respect, but folks here tire quickly of such depth, so I think I'll drop it.

priapism wrote:

...assuming of course I didn't have to smell them and nobody would ever find out. Sometimes you find lust in the strangest places.

Too true...for everyone.

I read a great book on the culture of alchohol in Russia and Eastern Europe. After the wall came down the russian expat writer went on a tour to visit all the great drinkers, manufacturers, drinking resorts, and rehab centers.

He started out very motivated, but after a few months got so depressed by it all he gave up drinking.

Forget about cheap Vodka, most people behind the curtain couldn't get it or afford it. They had some really vile sounding concoctions instead.

A favorite part was the author's reunion with a friend who had become the respected psychiatrist head of one of Moscow's big rehab programs. To try and secure favored treatment, the expected bribe by an alcoholic's family members  was a bottle of decent booze for the director.

To make ends meet in the lean times of the post soviet era, the hospital ran the liquor store on the corner which would fill orders via patients lowering a basket out their windows.

Oh and the story of the chaos ensuing in a local town's population after a vodka maker had such a large spill it formed a lake was pretty funny. For days they could not get anyone to go to work or attend to even the basic needs of society as nearly everyone was lapping it up.

Last edited by Johnny Rotten (2008-01-19 01:25:23)

icangetyouatoe wrote:

Pale, I scanned through almost 750 (I'm a nut for sicko candids) and I noticed a few trends.                                                                 first, many of the drunks pictured have the kind of end stage alcoholism physical maladies you don't often see in this country. (most end stage alcoholics in this country are in the hospital or nursing home by that time.) facial edema, dementia, weird bone issues, advanced liver disease-all are pretty much textbook  and on view in the pics. Also, I saw some fetal alcohol syndrome adults in the pics-adults who were exposed in utero to the demon rum or worse. Finally, I saw a few eskimo/sino-asiatic folks, who do have a lethal, genetically passed tendency towards severe alcoholism.

Maybe a course of this fine product could help...
http://www.drnatura.com/picture_gallery.html

Either that, or them Kinoki foot maxi-pads they've been advertising on the telly lately...

pALEPHx wrote:

I don't know if anybody scanned thru as many as I did, but does anyone else notice a peculiar trend ...

Some other trends - inability to utilize public benches properly, sleeping in landscape planters and potholes, and puppies.