Ask HN: Why so many meat industry lobbyists on HN?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=679585

by grandalf • 17 years ago

3 7 17 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

There have been a few topics posted lately on the topic of nutrition. In some of these, various people have cited the work of researchers such as T. Colin Campbell and Michael Pollan.

In each of these threads, comments citing Campbell's work have been modded down mercilessly (and anonymously), and there have been very few comments articulating reasoned opposing views.

I would guess that it's because this issue is very emotional for people -- it's very hard to believe in something that is broadly rejected by most consumers and the food industry itself.

As a hacker I'm interested in figuring out what is the optimial diet for maximum vitality and longevity. Both because I am working on an entrepreneurial project along these lines, and also because I find that what I eat impacts my mental state and my ability to write lots of good quality code, etc.

Thoughts?

p.s. I'd be happy to discuss issues related to nutrition with any skeptics :)

frossie2• 17 years ago

I haven't seen the comments you mention (nutrition threads bore me) but:

As a hacker I'm interested in figuring out what is the optimial diet for maximum vitality and longevity

As a hacker, I'm interested in the optimal trade-off between effort and reward. My life expectancy is about 78 years of age. I am willing to engage in behaviours that would stop me dying at 50 (eg. I wear my seatbelt) but I am less interested in sweeping and often poorly substantiated claims that would make me live to 80 (eg. live on raw foods).

Also, as a scientist, I find many of the claims made in support of great nutritional benefits dubious and overrated.

spkthed• 17 years ago

Agreed. Many scientists can't even agree on the health benefits/drawbacks of foods like (cow) milk that we've ingested for centuries/millennium. Every other year for decades it's been called good or bad.

I have no interest in following health fads, until something is conclusive it's far too much energy (and indeed far too expensive) to try to play along. Most have a lifetime of a few months to a few years before they're discovered to be well-nigh worthless.

I'd rather invest time, energy, and money in my projects rather than trying to follow a diet. There's a lot of things to like in vegetarian diets, there's also a lot to like about meat (bacon anyone?)

grandalf3• 17 years ago

Good points. I was of the same opinion as you until I read The China Study... which is a large scale epidemiological study of nutrition.

I think it's worth reading b/c it could have a fairly drastic impact upon one's health.

And yes, the constant hubbub of opposite ideas is also frustrating. Sadly most of it is (in one way or another) intended to help sell a food product that someone hopes to make money on.

aristus• 17 years ago

Well I guess if I call vegans who eat fake steaks "crypto-carnivores", it's fair to call me a "meat industry lobbyist", so I'll bite.

It's not really a burning issue for most people I think. If the XYZ Diet works for you, use it. Trying to persuade other people on a hacker forum doesn't really make sense. The claims of "vitality" and longevity are not provable in any reasonable amount of time (right?), and quickly goes off-topic.

grandalf3• 17 years ago

I have no interest in persuading people to eat a certain way... I just find it odd that the subject of nutrition does not seem to be one on which people enjoy rational discussion...

Ask HN: Why so many meat industry lobbyists on HN?

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