Thank you for all you do to communicate science based truth. Any other like minded folks that you suggest following? I personally love Dr. Jen Gunter and her Vajenda newsletter.
One thing I’ve been reflecting on when it comes to the things people hyper fixate on versus proven unhealthy things that get ignored—how much is related to what people feel they can change as individuals monitoring their consumption versus what would require broad systemic change and regulation? I see people focusing on the former and although it’s frustrating, I feel a lot of compassion because we often feel like big change is impossible, so fixating on small things to feel safe in an unsafe world makes sense as a coping response. Along with good marketing, I believe we need to teach people about the ways in which collective action has and can lead to improved regulations that could make us all healthier and safer in the long run!
What makes this so fascinating — people are losing it over a surgeon general warning on alcohol (no bans, just more information). This is something quite simple and easy to implement (drink less alcohol), is $ saving (drinks are expensive) and is shown to be very good for your health (drinking less alcohol). Rather than applauding the Surgeon General… we are getting accusations of conspiracy theory.
Agreed that mocking people stops the conversation in its tracks and doesn’t lead to progress. Need less of that and more measured takes. Algorithms push polarized content so it’s also true that we aren’t seeing the many balanced takes out there because they just don’t get picked up. That being said people are floating getting rid of the Polio vaccine, it’s ok for those that trust in science to get frustrated. It’s getting dangerous out here.
Ugh I hadn’t had the specific alcohol conspiracy theory on my radar until your article! Amongst many other explanations (some more understandable than others), I can’t help but think so many Americans have truly unhealthy dependence on alcohol and Ed are seeing people try to justify continued addiction 😔😔😔
Related to the question of how to change this troubling dynamic in “wellness”, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the benefits of finding things to validate in someone’s worldview instead of just coming from a place of judgment/“im the expert and you’re stupid”. Validating the fears people in particular wellness communities have, including the ways that they have experienced the very real failings of our current health system and experts, is a first step in rebuilding trust and moving people to a place where they can think critically about whatever TikTok wellness trends they are exposed to. I see a lot of hyper polarized discourse (laughing with glee at the idea someone might get sick from raw milk) that feels really ineffective.
Thank you for all you do to communicate science based truth. Any other like minded folks that you suggest following? I personally love Dr. Jen Gunter and her Vajenda newsletter.
One thing I’ve been reflecting on when it comes to the things people hyper fixate on versus proven unhealthy things that get ignored—how much is related to what people feel they can change as individuals monitoring their consumption versus what would require broad systemic change and regulation? I see people focusing on the former and although it’s frustrating, I feel a lot of compassion because we often feel like big change is impossible, so fixating on small things to feel safe in an unsafe world makes sense as a coping response. Along with good marketing, I believe we need to teach people about the ways in which collective action has and can lead to improved regulations that could make us all healthier and safer in the long run!
What makes this so fascinating — people are losing it over a surgeon general warning on alcohol (no bans, just more information). This is something quite simple and easy to implement (drink less alcohol), is $ saving (drinks are expensive) and is shown to be very good for your health (drinking less alcohol). Rather than applauding the Surgeon General… we are getting accusations of conspiracy theory.
Agreed that mocking people stops the conversation in its tracks and doesn’t lead to progress. Need less of that and more measured takes. Algorithms push polarized content so it’s also true that we aren’t seeing the many balanced takes out there because they just don’t get picked up. That being said people are floating getting rid of the Polio vaccine, it’s ok for those that trust in science to get frustrated. It’s getting dangerous out here.
Ugh I hadn’t had the specific alcohol conspiracy theory on my radar until your article! Amongst many other explanations (some more understandable than others), I can’t help but think so many Americans have truly unhealthy dependence on alcohol and Ed are seeing people try to justify continued addiction 😔😔😔
Related to the question of how to change this troubling dynamic in “wellness”, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the benefits of finding things to validate in someone’s worldview instead of just coming from a place of judgment/“im the expert and you’re stupid”. Validating the fears people in particular wellness communities have, including the ways that they have experienced the very real failings of our current health system and experts, is a first step in rebuilding trust and moving people to a place where they can think critically about whatever TikTok wellness trends they are exposed to. I see a lot of hyper polarized discourse (laughing with glee at the idea someone might get sick from raw milk) that feels really ineffective.
And and and Dementia/ Alzheimer's - let's not forget about that! Alcohol consumption plays a part in that as well.