Title: A Critical Look at "Drunk Flies and Stoned Dolphins"
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Topic
There’s a well-known adage about certain individuals: when asked for the time, they'll explain how to create a watch. In "Drunk Flies and Stoned Dolphins," Oné Pagàn raises intriguing questions about animal behavior concerning intoxication. However, much of the book is dedicated to the fundamentals of pharmacology, which may frustrate readers eager to dive into the core subject matter.
"This is a classic case of bait and switch; readers are left searching for the main content."
Pagàn, a passionate pharmacologist, shares his fascination with chemical structures throughout the book, including numerous illustrations. He delves into how plants develop toxins, the reasons behind these adaptations, and their ecological interactions. Notably, he emphasizes Neanderthals' potential discovery of alcohol and its effects, detailing the fermentation process that makes ethanol accessible to various species typically not associated with intoxication. While he covers a wide array of substances, from nicotine to ecstasy, the focus on the mating habits of insects and birds seems excessive. This information may be captivating for some, but it largely strays from the topic of animal intoxication that most readers likely seek.
Chapter 2: The Overemphasis on Background Information
Unfortunately, the extensive groundwork spans an astonishing 160 pages. Readers encounter the frustrating phrase “But first…” as Pagàn often veers off-topic, further delaying the exploration of animal behavior related to intoxication. After this lengthy setup, readers are rewarded with only 80 pages that briefly cover the actual subject matter, much of which involves scientists administering drugs like LSD to animals for observation—an act that raises ethical questions.
At around page 165, Pagàn finally transitions to discussing animals and their interactions with intoxicants. By this point, readers are eager for relevant insights and can finally begin to take notes. Here are some of the highlights from the book:
- Honeybees show improved cognitive function after consuming caffeine and can handle alcohol better than humans, requiring an extreme amount to match their tolerance.
- In contrast, bumblebees can become drunk and erratic, with guard bees sometimes driving them away from the colony.
- Chimpanzees indulge in fermenting fruit enthusiastically, enjoying the intoxicating effects despite potential hangovers.
- Drunk horses lose their balance and poise, while cows, being grazers, take longer to experience intoxication.
- Ethanol makes male fruit flies hyperactive, whereas females become sedated, leading to unusual mating behaviors among drunken males.
- Male birds, turned down for mating, often resort to drinking as a form of coping.
- Elephants, despite their massive size, are lightweight drinkers, becoming easily intoxicated, which can lead to dangerous situations.
- Giving LSD to elephants can lead to severe distress, while dolphins show no interest in the drug, which is unavailable in their underwater habitat.
- Flatworms react to alcohol by contorting, and octopi become more social with Ecstasy, although they do not actively seek out such substances.
- Cedar waxwings may consume fermenting fruit until their livers fail, leading to fatal consequences.
- Zebra finches display slurred singing when intoxicated, and spiders may act erratically if consuming toxins-coated insects.
Despite the wealth of information, the payoff for all the preceding groundwork feels inadequate. The conclusion is surprisingly brief, merely offering a few paragraphs of gratitude and farewells.
Chapter 3: The Author's Style and Overall Impression
Pagàn's conversational tone is punctuated with corny jokes, including repeated attempts at humor that may not resonate with all readers. His aim was to create an accessible dialogue throughout the book, incorporating footnotes and pop culture references. However, the overall structure feels disorganized. This is disappointing not only because Pagàn is a knowledgeable scientist but also because many fans expected a more coherent exploration of the book's intriguing premise.
David Wineberg (Drunk Flies and Stoned Dolphins, Oné Pagàn, November 2021)
The video titled "Got rotten fruit? Here is what you can do with it" provides additional context on how overripe fruit can lead to fermentation, impacting animal behaviors.