#27 A Symposium for Moderns

 

Every time I decide to start taking better care of myself, I somehow find myself making the same resolution—drink less. It’s almost automatic. 

The phrase “Let’s grab a drink” carries a lot more weight than it seems. We say it when we’re celebrating something, when we’ve lost something, when we’re frustrated, or just want to get closer to someone. 

Alcohol often gives us the courage to open up. It turns thoughts we’ve swallowed down—those “Ugh, I shouldn’t talk about this” moments—into stories we casually drop into conversation. It could be as small as asking, “I had this weird dream—what do you think it means?” That alone can spark a strangely meaningful, meaningless conversation.

It lets us confess hidden feelings—resentment, admiration, affection—that we couldn’t quite voice in sober moments. And even if we’re not tipsy enough to spill our secrets, there’s something about sharing a few drinks that softens the edges. With each glass passed, we start exchanging thoughts too. And in that quiet connection, we begin to understand one another.

 

Symposium

If we trace the history of alcohol as a social tool for courage and connection, we eventually arrive at the symposium. Today, we use the word to describe formal seminars and academic panels. But its roots tell a different story—syn- (together) + posis (drinking) = “drinking together.”

In ancient Greece, a symposium was an evening of wine, poetry, music, and philosophical debate. Plato’s Symposium, written around 370 BCE, is a legendary example—a dialogue that explores love, desire, and truth over the course of one wine-soaked evening.

The scene: A poet named Agathon throws a banquet to celebrate winning a tragedy contest. After a heavy drinking night the day before, one of the friends, a doctor named Eryximachus, suggests they drink in moderation and instead share speeches in praise of Eros, the god of love. The topic lights a spark, and the group takes turns reflecting on love—what it is, what it means, what it reveals about us.

It goes far beyond romance. The discussion dives deep into the nature of human longing, the pursuit of truth, and the philosophical drive that shapes our lives. And the wine? It’s not just there for background ambiance. It loosens tongues, breaks down barriers, and creates space for vulnerability and philosophical imagination.

Through this lens, Symposium isn’t just a classical text—it’s a study in epistemology*, showing how people seek truth through dialogue. No wonder it remains a philosophical classic, centuries later.

*Epistemology: a branch of philosophy that explores how humans come to know truth.

*Plato [Symposium] (link)

 

And if we revisit the dialogue with wine-tinted glasses, we’ll find something familiar: even 2,400 years ago, people avoided overdrinking, enjoyed a light buzz, and found themselves drawn into deep conversations about life and love. It’s almost comforting—proof that in some ways, humans haven’t changed at all. You could even argue (with a smile) that maybe true humanity is found in a little tipsiness.

So maybe, just maybe, that one night in your neighborhood bar—the one where you and your friend spiraled into an hours-long conversation about life—was a kind of symposium too.

 

The Modern Symposium

I’m no ancient philosopher, but I believe we need symposiums more than ever today. We should be gathering and asking: What does AI mean to us as humans? What does it really mean to meet a “good partner”? Why does life feel so hard sometimes? In a world overflowing with choices and blurred boundaries, a night of thoughtful joy feels not just refreshing, but essential.

So, for today’s modern symposiums, here are a few modern drinks to pair with modern life questions.

 

➊ WHISKY

Made by distilling fermented grains like barley, corn, and rye, whisky is then aged for years in oak barrels to create that rich, brown hue. With bold ABVs (usually above 40%) and layered notes of vanilla, caramel, and smoke, whiskies come in many forms: Scotch from Scotland, Bourbon from the U.S., and Irish whisky from Ireland.

Unlike more casual drinks, whisky demands presence. Its depth helps us slow down, think before we speak, and savor the moment.

If you’re looking to go beyond the usual Glenfiddich or Johnnie Walker, here are a couple of characterful whiskies: 

Ardbeg 

From the Islay region in Scotland, Ardbeg is a cult favorite among peat lovers. It's intensely smoky with earthy, salty, and charcoal notes. Beneath that boldness lies a swirl of vanilla, coffee, and citrus.

Recommendation: Skip the food pairing and drink it neat with ice. Ideal on rainy days with Lou Reed or LP playing in the background—suddenly, you’re in the Peaky Blinders.

*Peaky Blinders is a crime drama set in 1919 Birmingham, England, following the rise of a ruthless gang and its ambitious leader, Tommy Shelby.

Arran

Not a fan of smoky whiskies? Try something softer. Arran whisky, produced on the Scottish Isle of Arran, leans fruity and citrus-forward. It’s a reliable pick for whisky newcomers.

Recommendation: When in doubt at a bar, go for an “Arran on the rocks.” It’s like choosing vanilla flavor at a new ice cream shop—you won’t be disappointed.

 

➋ WINE

Wine has always been a shared drink—from ancient symposiums to modern social dinners. Whether you’re into bold reds, crisp whites, or fizzy bubbles, there’s something for every mood. Know your favorite grape or winery—that’s always a good start.

A quick refresher:

• Red wine: fermented with grape skins, high in tannins (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot)
• White wine: fermented without skins, bright and crisp (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling)
• Sparkling wine: bubbly! (Champagne, Prosecco, Cava)
• Rosé: pink and playful
• Orange wine: made like red wine but with white grapes, giving it a bold and funky twist

Here are two bottles that recently wowed me:

Le Coste’s Bianchetto (link)

A vibrant orange wine from Lazio, Italy, made primarily from Procanico grapes. It tastes like apricot, peach, orange zest, dried basil—and has an unforgettable, slightly fizzy edge. 

Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py 2022 (link)

Made from Gamay grapes in France’s Morgon region. Think bright cherry and blueberry notes with a smooth ruby-red body. If you like fruity reds that don’t feel too light, this is a sure bet.

 

➌ BAIJIU (白酒)

Baijiu, China’s traditional grain-based spirit, is usually distilled from sorghum, wheat, or rice and hits up to 60% ABV. It’s not about subtle aroma—it’s a straight shot of clarity. While whisky lingers across your tongue, baijiu hits you fast and sharp, hot, and clean.

Here’s one baijiu that has accompanied me the most during my recent symposiums : 

 

Dream Blue (夢之藍, Mengzhilan)

Fermented in earthen pits and aged in ceramic jars for over 20 years, this 52% spirit is deceptively smooth with a lingering floral-pineapple finish. It's categorized into M3, M6, and M9 by aging—M6 strikes a great balance between price and taste.

It’s a go-to gift in my family for moments worth remembering.

 

 

Drinking too much can be harmful...

The ancient Greeks mostly drank wine, but today, we’re lucky to have many options for our modern symposiums. For the quiet thinker, whisky. For celebration, baijiu. For warm nights with friends, wine. For letting go, beer. For spiraling into existential dread, soju. And when in doubt, maybe... all of the above.

Sure, moderation matters—but if a little alcohol can lead to a great conversation, a laugh, a moment of understanding—why hold back?

Not every conversation needs a conclusion. Sometimes we talk about things that have no answer—like a strange dream or a vague longing—and somehow, that brings us closer. Empathy and solidarity start with that shared space. This isn’t about indulging in personal sentiment. It’s because I truly believe we still need modern-day symposiums—spaces where we might find solace in the idea that the complicated world is, at times, not so complicated after all.

(Drink responsibly.)