Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
Want to know how to lose weight, and keep it off, without surgery, supplements, weird diets or extreme exercise? The answer, for addressing weight gain and many other ills, lies in behavioural technology
Fascinating essay on willpower. Tests suggest it's a finite resource, not a skill. "Every time you exert control over the giant system that is you, that control gets weaker." Why? It just might be as simple as a lack of glucose
Most of us assume obesity is a bad thing. The media has conditioned us to see fat as the enemy. But it's not so clear cut; there are benefits to fat, just as there are drawbacks to weight loss. Time to revise our opinions?
Could philosophical beliefs have tangible effects on health? Dualists hold that mind and body are separate entities. Would this mean they are more neglectful of their bodies than others? A recent experiment suggests so
Fat people should pay more to fly. "The point of a surcharge for extra weight is not to punish a sin, whether it is levied on baggage or on bodies. It is a way of recouping the true cost of flying you to your destination"
Children are reaching puberty earlier and earlier in life. And yet these same children are adopting adult roles later and later. Which makes for "a good deal of teenage weirdness". Fine essay explains what's really going on
Turns out dieting might have a more complex long-term effect on our bodies than previously understood. New research suggests an unpalatable truth: "Once we become fat, most of us, despite our best efforts, will probably stay fat"
Brief look at research suggesting that "immateriality of mind is a deep illusion. Although we feel like a disembodied soul, many feelings and choices are actually shaped by the microbes in our gut and the palpitations of the heart"
The facts and fears surrounding Japanese sushi. In the US, FDA is accused of "inadequate inspections of seafood". Long-term effects of Fukishima on marine life? Who knows. But Japanese fish markets are in trouble
Over 30% of Americans are clinically obese but to date few practical solutions to the problem have been suggested. Could the answer be to incentivise consumers direct rather than to shame them from "on high"?
A century ago, "poison squads" were willing to eat formaldehyde on our behalf. The recent U.S Food Safety Modernization Act is less dramatic. Have we become resigned to food poisoning scares?
What goal do you set yourself when you're knocking on 50, north of 16 stone and wanting to lose weight? Writer aims to ride racehorse in proper race with professionals. Ten months and five stone later, he does it
