Cute article in the New York Times, entitled “10 Things to Scratch From Your Worry List.” In it, John Tierney, the excellent science writer for the Times, details 10 things that he “I wouldn’t spend a nanosecond of my vacation worrying about.” I think he sort of ran out of steam (especially 9 and 10), but it is still worth the read. Here’s the list, with my editorial comments thrown in.
1. Killer Hot Dogs
This is the big one for me. For years, we’ve been ping-ponged back an forth with regard to what is healthy to eat. First we needed to eliminate fats, but then just saturated fats. Carbs were first a good substitute for too much meat, now carbs are, to put it simply, death. What do these strictures have in common? They were all based on meager (to be generous) data.
People who know me are sick of my harping on this, but ever 2000, when I read “The Soft Science of Dietary Fat,” I have approached much of these guidelines with a pillar of salt (I guess that is my Lot in life. Get it?). Anyhoo, follow the links in the Tierney’s article to see the latest research that once again fails to show any link between dietary fat and serum cholesterol.
2. Your car’s planet-destroying A/C
Once again, I am right. I have argued with my spouse for years about this issue. I have always contended that using air conditioning on the highway (with the windows closed) actually saves gas because it allows for a more aerodynamic trip. I was told that I was simply using this theory to justify my comfort. This may be true, but now there is at least data to support me.
3. Forbidden fruits from afar
Others have pointed out that shipping produce locally sometimes leaves a bigger carbon footprint than shipping from across the globe because longer distance shipping is mostly by boat, which is better than planes and trucks. Interesting, nonetheless.
4. Carcinogenic cellphones
Am I worried that some neurosurgeons are suggesting to the physicians in their department that they stop using cell phonees? I just got an iPhone. I’ll give you my iPhone when you pry it from my cold, dead ear.
5. Evil plastic bags
Apparently it takes more energy to produce paper, as opposed to plastic, bags. This is news to me. Although paper takes up more space in the landfill, I wonder if it still degrades faster than plastic. I seem to recall reading somewhere that most landfills are packed so tightly that nothing degrades.
6. Toxic plastic bottles
As they say down in Texas, I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I know people who do. I guess it is OK that manufacturers are taking BPA out of their products, but I suspect that Tierney is right, and that this is yet another big scare that is based on weak data.
7. Deadly sharks
One fatal shark attack in the world last year. Enough said.
8. The Arctic’s missing ice
This was another surprise to me. I guess it is good news that the melt this year was not as great as expected, but the worry about the long term health of the planet is still probably worth considering.
9. The universe’s missing mass
I don’t know nothing ’bout birthin’ no universe.
10. Unmarked wormholes
I got nothing.