As IF Times

link Study links 180,000 global deaths to sugary drinks.

From all of the learned studies that keep appearing in the news, it looks as if science is well on the way to isolating and eventually eliminating all causes of death.  This is quite remarkable and evidence that science is good for things other than keeping test tube and Bunsen burner makers in business.  As has been discussed previously, the life span of humans may yet get extended to 150.

According to a recent U.S. Census report, the world’s population is just over 7 billion people as of March of 2012; 7.074 billion to be precise, although there may have some double counting in some countries and some under-counting in others.  We don’t know if the counts took place while some were away on holidays or if some were tabulated multiple times because they kind of looked the same.

So in the grand scheme of things, according to this story, 180,000 global deaths have been linked to sugary drinks.   I didn’t even know that there was a box to be ticked in this category in the cause of death certificate for this.  So let’s see, 180,000 out of 7,000,000,000… it borders on epidemic!   According to statistics compiled by the World Health Organization, the top mortality rates worldwide in the year 2011 are shown by the following table:

It’s possible that death by sugary drinks is included under the penultimate category, Diabetes mellitus, but based on the description of that statistic, I doubt it.    More interesting to note is that road traffic accidents are a much greater scourge than drinking a big gulp.   When a statistic is offered on mortality, the initial response is ” well we must do something about this tragic circumstance” until that statistic is more closely scrutinized.  If there was a category for sugary drink death, it may reside way down the list at about 12,625th. This headline purports to show that 180,000 world deaths are linked to sugary drinks.  If this isn’t telethon material, it should be.

It could be that the zealots have surveyed the list of the major causes of death and determined that all of the big ones have been taken; heart disease, cancer, AIDS etc etc.  All that was left over was sugary drinks.  It’s a bigger push to get sympathy for this one since pictures of zaftig people drinking Mountain Dew on a hot day doesn’t play to the sympathy crowd as well as a mal-nourished baby, a bed-ridden tuberculosis patient or the most recent high profile AIDS victim.  But, to paraphrase Dr. Seuss, a crisis is a crisis no matter how small.

We expect to see the usual bureaucratic path for this particular crisis.  A ban, which won’t work, because people who want them will get them; restrictions on access which will drive up the price of the product; to perhaps licensing of vendors complete with  a registration list of customers.  None of these campaigns work unless they are funded.  Once someone convinces government to bless the cause, the natural funders will be the very corporations that sell the noxious products, namely, Coca Cola, Pepsi and their like.  To paraphrase a line from the film “Apocalypse Now”, I love the smell of lawsuits in the morning.  Saving the world is such a process.

link Human beings are getting dumber | News.com.au.

According to this article, the progress of human evolution has stopped, at least intellectually.  Judging by what’s considered newsworthy in the world today, but mainly in the U.S., it may be hard to refute this assertion.  On any given day, a scan of popular ‘news’ sites will reveal as much general flotsam and entertainment fluff as there is hard news and analysis.   This is true for Google News, Bing News or Yahoo news (for those that still  use Yahoo).  Even the venerable Wall Street Journal will feature gripping stories about the latest Hollywood gossip.  We can’t even include newspapers anymore since papers such as the NY Times, Washington Post among others have long abandoned their pretense of being in the news business.

The commercial component to fame is greater than at any time in human history due to the ease of access to information and so the pursuit and monetization of fame has eclipsed the quaint goal of genuine work in popular culture.  Of course, in a free society, people can do as they wish; they can choose to take rigorous academic studies at school, or they can choose the far more glamorous route of pursuing their singing/acting/dancing/pro sports careers.  In fact, some may even have talent and deserve every success that may come to them.   Statistically, that is not the case for the general population.   The amount of American Idols are vastly outnumbered by those Americans that are idle.

The real downside that arises from the fortunate few achieving commercial success is that they are sought out for their opinions.  Since many individuals that make it commercially big these days are young, their exposure to life and intellectual development is likely undeveloped at best and misguided at worst.  How often do we hear about celebrity X making statements on Global Warming, or the plight of penguins on shrinking ice floes.  While they may be uber talented entertainers, asking their opinions of weighty issues is akin to asking a dancing bear his opinion on the Palestinian conflict.   Unfortunately, these opinions are absorbed as immutable fact by the adoring fan base who want to be just like their hero.   In any society, it is normal for the people to emulate those that are successful.  Let’s see, Justin Bieber, Ferrari; college degree, Hyundai, hmm…

Contrary to what the article implies, I think it’s more likely that people are allowed to be dumber or even encouraged.  In light of the numerous instances of uneducated people achieving fabulous success, it’s a hard case to make that a good education is worth the effort.  Combine that with standards that have fallen off precipitously in the public schools and as a society, we are allowing humans to become lazy in their cognitive and problem solving processes.  Anecdotal studies have shown that school systems focus more on passing students than they do on demanding competence.  At very young ages and right through to universities, students are steered towards worldviews which don’t always stand up to critical scrutiny.  But they go along to get along.  An old trading mentor of mine used to say that when you ask a 5 year old to explain why 2 plus 2 equals 4, he’ll say “because the teacher said so”.  In very simple terms, garbage in, garbage out.

In a study by the education firm Pearson, they illustrate the declining standard of schooling in America. The study shows that the U.S. is ranked 17th in the world for education systems,  http://thelearningcurve.pearson.com/the-report .  Compare that statistic with the those on this study: http://rossieronline.usc.edu/u-s-education-versus-the-world-infographic/  which shows that the U.S. by far spends the most money overall and per capita on education.  Clearly, the issue is not money.  Something must be wrong with both execution and expectations.  Finally, the following anecdote was sent to me, author unknown, which captures what has become of education in the U.S.  I am happy to credit whomever authored this:

The evolution of teaching math:
1. Teaching Math In 1950s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
2. Teaching Math In 1960s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1970s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math In 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math In 1990s
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living?
Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it’s ok. )
6. Teaching Math In 2009
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
7. Teaching Math In 2013 Who cares, just steal the lumber from your rich neighbor’s property. He won’t have a gun to stop you, and it’s OK anyway cuz it’s redistributing the wealth.