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In some situations, not following the behavior of the crowd has an effect. I've been at parties where people were passing round a bong or whatever and declined and it definitely separates you from the group for better or worse.

I'm old and stubborn enough now to know that if I don't want to do something, being outside of the crowd is no big deal. But it's still something that occurs, and some people are particularly sensitive to the effects of going against the flow or find it very difficult to do that.

Hmm, I don't care if people stop drinking. I care that it's such a huge part of the atmosphere and identity of so many events. This part: For conferences: don't plan elaborate drinking parties and put them on the itinerary. Some people who want to go out to the club can still do so, they don't need you to schedule it for them.

It's link bait, or ego bait, pure and simple. See how he extrapolates "We have free beer on Fridays" with "Non-drinkers need not apply." Ludicrous.