The <off topic> thread

[Daniels]

Did he happen to mention that Asians are enduring a tsunami of diabetes in the Western world?  Definitely something in our lifestyle (diet) doesn't agree with their metabolism.  See the same thing in Pacific peoples here in New Zealand. 

He did not, but that is an interesting fact. Just looked at some statistics: the percentage of Asian-Americans is about 1% higher than for white Americans (as of 2011). It's about 4% higher for African-Americans. It's all these processed foods we consume. If our diets consisted of fruits, veggies and fish, we would be tons healthier. Unfortunately, the processed foods taste better... 

[david.atwell]

WARNING: DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK

 

http://threesjs.com/

 

If you have ANYTHING important to do, if you have ANY desire to be productive for the next three hours, DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK!

[Daniels]

Oh, David... what have you done... I should have heeded your warning....  

[RedBeard]

Unfortunately, the processed foods taste better... 

 

Processed foods are also cheaper, which is a major selling point in this economy.  It's sad that saving money takes precedence over good health, but that's the way it is for a lot of us.

[Kemaru]

That might be true, but I do wonder if the difference in the price of "real food" and processed stuff is really too big.

Only marginally related to the discussion, but: I've been doing a lot of budget planning, because, well, I love planning — implementation is a problem, on the other hand — and I could do with a bit over 3€ a day for food and still eat very healthy, and do consider that Finland is ridiculously expensive. Buy in bulk, buy in season, less meat and dairy (or none), grow your own spices and herbs if living conditions allow.

 

I guess the biggest problem of all isn't really the cost of food, but ignorance and laziness. I guess those who really have to decide between buying 3 cheeseburgers or buying lettuce, lentils and carrots have no idea why they should not choose former. Also, generally having a healthy lifestyle requires commitment and actually taking the time to cook and exercise; many are not ready to change their priorities to accommodate to those changes.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Kemaru

[david.atwell]

My wife and I have done a decent amount of research on the healthiness and relative price of food in the western world, and what it seems like is: the price of processed food, like it's ingredients, is artificial.  Companies artificially lower the price on processed food by paying their suppliers and employees very low amounts, and sometimes even taking a loss on some of their products to get you in the door, build brand loyalty, etc.  If food were to cost "what it really costs," the prices would normalize and your lettuce, lentils and carrots would adjust to cost less than those three cheeseburgers, as they should.

 

Why is that?  Because right now, the free market wants cheap, crappy food.  Economically speaking, that's what the demand is.  Instead of going to the delicious Punch Burger in Indianapolis, which serves all-local beef and beer and quite frankly makes the best hamburger I've ever eaten but charges ~$6 for a burger (which is actually a pretty good price), people would rather go to McDonald's and eat a burger simuloid (what I call a 'burger-flavored food item'*) for $1.00.

 

Until people get their priorities switched around and prefer health over price, this won't change.

 

 

*kind of a like a 'grape-flavored candy' - it reminds you of the flavor, but it isn't really the right flavor.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

When you grow your own food you realize what you have been missing.  It tastes better fresh from the garden.

 

If I could only convince my partner that rabbits taste nice....

[DrewDale]

If I could only convince my partner that rabbits taste nice....

And turkey tastes "foul"

[Ego Eram Reputo]

...and people taste Ok with a few fava beans and a nice Chianti! Muhahahahahaha......

[DrewDale]

As Homer Simpson may say.......MMmmmmmm People

[skullbonz]

With all the toxins and radiation in the air,water and everyday chemical products used by millions I believe foods are the least of our worries. I don't eat fast foods and very rarely go out to eat. I eat veggies everyday along with meats of all kinds. I have not eaten fish for quite awhile now because our waters are polluted, especially the oceans where billions of toxins are dumped in daily around the world and in recent years radiation from Japan. Also drugs prescribed by doctors can't be trusted either. I am almost 60 years old and if it wasn't for 44 years of smoking I would be in perfect health. 

Edited March 14, 2014 by skullbonz

[david.atwell]

Also drugs prescribed by doctors can't be trusted either. I am almost 60 years old and if it wasn't for 44 years of smoking I would be in perfect health. 

That's a dangerous and untrue blanket statement.  Some of them, maybe, but not all (or even most).

[david.atwell]

This is super well done and kind of heartbreaking.  Also really important.  Take a minute to think about what's going on in other countries besides your own.

 

[Kemaru]

Eating people could be one solution to both world hunger and overpopulation!

 

 

Ordered this backpack today:

[david.atwell]

Eating people could be one solution to both world hunger and overpopulation!

Actually, the carrying capacity for the Earth is estimated to be around 14-16 billion people...we're at about 7 billion right now, and rate of population growth has actually been decreasing for the past 30-40 years. At the pace we're going, we're likely to hit an equilibrium at around 12-14 billion. Since there's an estimated 13 billion square kilometers of arable land on Earth (a number that has been steadily increasing over the past few years), and each square kilometer can feed 3-5 people per year, we're really in no danger of overpopulating. In fact, at that equilibrium population, we'd be producing 3-5 times as much food as we even needed!

How about water? Well, the Columbia River's daily capacity is almost exactly double the amount of fresh water that Earth's entire population needs right now. And that's a relatively small river on the world scale!

Power would be an issue, right? No, not really. Solar and wind energy has been increasing exponentially in efficiency in the past few decades, and shows no signs of slowing that roll yet. Fusion is all but certainly viable within the next dozen years or so - just a few months ago, researchers were able to produce a fusion reaction that gave off more energy than it used. Making it self-sustaining, and then inexpensive, are now the only hurdles - ones we already know how to solve in theory, we just have to do the research to make it happen. Once we are able to produce clean, safe energy with fusion, we will be able to completely satisfy all of our energy needs with no problem or ecological impact.

What about quality of life? Well, if all 14 billion people lived in a single megacity with the same density as New York City (not even the most densely populated metropolis), we would fill an area about the size of...the American Southwest. Basically, two Texases. And while I live in more sparsely-populated Indianapolis, I don't think my quality of life would decline that drastically if I had to live in a place like New York.

So, don't worry! Overpopulation is unlikely. And even if those equilibrium numbers are wrong...well, that's more incentive to build colonies on the Moon and Mars, isn't it?

[Kemaru]

I wasn't aware of those numbers, interesting statistics!

psst: <link removed>

Edited March 22, 2014 by pyrochild
That's not an appropriate link for this forum

[david.atwell]

It's true.  Hopefully as the population continues to grow industries will continue to pop up to employ them.  I mean, my industry didn't even exist 20 years ago.

[TheVoid]

Hello.

[Sozo]

Hello.

Long time no see.

[david.atwell]

Hello.

Woah!  Good to see you again!  :-)

[Ego Eram Reputo]

We exhibit voidlessnessless  Welcome back!

[TheVoid]

It's been a looooong time. I'm actually surprised I remembered the password for this account.

[david.atwell]

I feel like you've been gone since before the migration.  Back when we were on Forumer.

[pdnnoob]

I feel like we've never met and I've missed out

...so welcome back!

[david.atwell]

@pdnnoob - I classify you in with the "second wave" of people who joined the forum.  TheVoid was part of the first, along with usedHONDA, The_Lionhearted, Myrddin, Crazy Man Dan...

 

Some of them are still around, of course.  Me, pyrochild, BoltBait.  Rubrica comes around every once in a while.  But I've been around for coming up on ten years.  After a while, it feels like I'm one of the "ancients..."  :-)