Wednesday, July 18, 2018
30-second proof
Via Eurekalert, a rare study on diet that actually PROVES causation. The researchers started with an accidental observation. Bipolar folks often reported eating lots of beef jerky and similar high-nitrate processed meat just before a manic episode that caused hospitalization. The researchers explored available data and found a pretty decent correlation.
So far nothing special. Just the usual interesting but dubious correlation. THEN they tried adding nitrates to the diet of rats, and the rats promptly displayed hyperactivity similar to mania. Now we've got CAUSATION.
Well, let's check. Googled "Elon Musk diet", found the Elon Musk Training Diet.
= = = = =
Later thought: Mixed causation is also possible. Hot dogs aren't a typical low-budget food choice, and beef jerky isn't an especially common snack. Do manics prefer nitrate-rich meat because it increases their mania? The decision wouldn't have to be conscious.
¶ 7:09 AM
Via Eurekalert, a rare study on diet that actually PROVES causation. The researchers started with an accidental observation. Bipolar folks often reported eating lots of beef jerky and similar high-nitrate processed meat just before a manic episode that caused hospitalization. The researchers explored available data and found a pretty decent correlation.
So far nothing special. Just the usual interesting but dubious correlation. THEN they tried adding nitrates to the diet of rats, and the rats promptly displayed hyperactivity similar to mania. Now we've got CAUSATION.
Well, let's check. Googled "Elon Musk diet", found the Elon Musk Training Diet.
As he explained to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in an episode of Tyson's StarTalk Radio podcast, "So I was like, 'Oh, okay. If I can live for a dollar a day — at least from a food cost standpoint — it's pretty easy to earn $30 dollars in a month, so I'll probably be ok."Bingo.
He passed his own test, living mainly off hot dogs and oranges for 30 days.
= = = = =
Later thought: Mixed causation is also possible. Hot dogs aren't a typical low-budget food choice, and beef jerky isn't an especially common snack. Do manics prefer nitrate-rich meat because it increases their mania? The decision wouldn't have to be conscious.
¶ 7:09 AM
