Summary: <p>Nearly a quarter of American adults reported drinking more at home to cope with their pandemic blues. This week, we take a deep dive into the ancient history of booze, how Americans normalized drinking alone, and how the media shaped the shifting reputation of red wine. Plus, can scientists cook up a synthetic alcohol with all its perks, and none of its dangers?</p> <p>1. Kate Julian [<a href="https://twitter.com/katejulian">@katejulian</a>], senior editor at the Atlantic, on America's long and fraught history with solitary drinking. <a href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/america-has-drinking-problem-on-the-media">Listen</a>.</p> <p>2. Iain Gately, author of <em>Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol, </em>on the ancient origins of our core beliefs about booze. <a href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/alcohol-ancient-times-on-the-media">Listen</a>.</p> <p>3. Robert Taylor, managing editor at <em>Wine Spectator Video</em>, on red wine's constantly changing reputation as a healthy substance. <a href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/red-wine-french-paradox-on-the-media">Listen</a>.</p> <p>4. David Nutt [<a href="https://twitter.com/ProfDavidNutt">@ProfDavidNutt</a>], psychologist at Imperial College London, on his alcohol substitute, once called "alcosynth," now rebranded as "alcarelle." <a href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/beyond-ethanol-on-the-media">Listen</a>.</p> <p><em>Music: </em></p> <p><em>When I Get Low I Get High - Ella Fitzgerald Tomorrow Never Knows - Quartetto D/Archi Dell'Orchestra Sinfonica Di Milano Il Casanova Di Federico Fellini - Solisti E Orchestre Del Cinema Italiano Option with Variations - Kronos Quartet/composer Rhiannon Giddens</em></p>
