How best-selling nutrition & weight loss books use emotion to deceive us.

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Eddy Edson

Eddy Edson

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Entertaining!

 
It is quite funny.
And very true.
And I am pleased to say I have never bought one, and never will.

I'll confess to picking up the odd recipe book, but only because I like food.
(Otherwise it's travel books, and The Art of War by Sun Tzu)
 
There are all kinds of reasons for why quack diet books sell well versus real science-based ones, but IMO at root it usually comes down to just-so stories versus science.

Science arose because just-so stories are pretty bad at getting to the truth of things, but on the other hand people really like them. So if you tell a story with goodies and baddies, simple just-so explanations for why things are, virtue triumphing against adversity etc etc chances are it will be more engaging than science for many people, whether or not it looks anything like actual reality.

The vid is an entertaining exposition of this view: people like books by Gary Taubes, Nina Tecicholtz, Jason Fung etc etc with their spurious certainties, misrepresentation of evidence and the record, fallacious demonisation of Ancel Keyes etc etc because it all makes for good just-so stories, sprinkled with prophylactic science-y language to protect it against actual science.

Unfortunately, doesn't say much about how to improve things.
 
Eddy Edson said:
There are all kinds of reasons for why quack diet books sell well versus real science-based ones, but IMO at root it usually comes down to just-so stories versus science.

Science arose because just-so stories are pretty bad at getting to the truth of things, but on the other hand people really like them. So if you tell a story with goodies and baddies, simple just-so explanations for why things are, virtue triumphing against adversity etc etc chances are it will be more engaging than science for many people, whether or not it looks anything like actual reality.

The vid is an entertaining exposition of this view: people like books by Gary Taubes, Nina Tecicholtz, Jason Fung etc etc with their spurious certainties, misrepresentation of evidence and the record, fallacious demonisation of Ancel Keyes etc etc because it all makes for good just-so stories, sprinkled with prophylactic science-y language to protect it against actual science.

Unfortunately, doesn't say much about how to improve things.
Click to expand...

I don't think it can be improved.

As someone said on here recently, why take a hard option, when the problem can be fixed by an easy one?
If the world has lied to you, you're a victim, and the easy way out is painless, for some it's always going to be a winner.
And once you get that idea sold, well, anything else that happens must be a lie by "the scientists" too.
And that might be a book to sell as well.
So, sell a painless way to fix the way the world made you diabetic with carbs, rubbish the world again when the solution raises your cholesterol.
(although that in itself has been a real masterpiece of selling, both low and high cholesterol seems to be defended as good as results of the same diet book)
It will always run, snake oil has always been a best seller through time immemorial.
 
:rofl: I luvs a nutrition book or programme, I believe all. :rofl:
 
The sequel:

"The Big Fib", with a focus on how charlatan Nina Teicholz made up stories about Ancel Keys and how this slander has fed a generation of other charlatans & clueless "influencers".
 
Eddy Edson said:
The sequel:

"The Big Fib", with a focus on how charlatan Nina Teicholz made up stories about Ancel Keys and how this slander has fed a generation of other charlatans & clueless "influencers".
Click to expand...
More vegan propaganda?
 
bulkbiker said:
More vegan propaganda?
Click to expand...
He's not a vegan. More of a Pollan-esque "eat real food, not too much, mainly plants" type, like just about every non-fringe-dweller in the nutrition world.

I'm guessing you'd hate his piece on Bikman:
 
Eddy Edson said:
He's not a vegan. More of a Pollan-esque "eat real food, not too much, mainly plants" type, like just about every non-fringe-dweller in the nutrition world.

I'm guessing you'd hate his piece on Bikman:
Click to expand...
Yes a real professor being dissed by a biased extremist... obviously I know who I would believe...

from his about page in you tube..

"responding to critics who suggest that the family’s vegan lifestyle is making his children and grandchildren too pale and thin."

https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...fc6b-503c-4774-86f0-ece423b5edec_1378x332.png
 
bulkbiker said:
from his about page in you tube..

"responding to critics who suggest that the family’s vegan lifestyle is making his children and grandchildren too pale and thin."
Click to expand...
Oh, right. I've only heard him advocating the common real food, not too much, mainly plants thing. I suppose if you have a totally Manichean evil vegan vs pure carnicore worldview this would indeed discredit him.
 
Eddy Edson said:
Oh, right. I've only heard him advocating the common real food, not too much, mainly plants thing. I suppose if you have a totally Manichean evil vegan vs pure carnicore worldview this would indeed discredit him.
Click to expand...
I'm a tad more open minded but vegan gurus like Greger do have a tendency to lie through their kale smoothie so I treat them as guilty until proven innocent... it has worked pretty well in the past..
 
@Eddy Edson, it is back to what the original youtube point is.

If you can't argue against the points raised, rubbish and discredit the poster, invent media friendly phrases that can be easily repeated and your scooby gang can repeat it until a new truth forms, and the books sell again.

Professor Bikman?
It seems he's a philosopher, and keen on exercise by education.
Doctor of Philosophy, Bioenergetics, East Carolina University, 2008
Master of Science, Exercise Physiology, Brigham Young University, 2005
Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, Brigham Young University, 2003

Workplace?
Brigham Young University
A private research university in Provo, Utah.
It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
 
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travellor said:
@Eddy Edson, it is back to what the original youtube point is.

If you can't argue against the points raised, rubbish and discredit the poster, invent media friendly phrases that can be easily repeated and your scooby gang can repeat it until a new truth forms, and the books sell again.

Professor Bikman?
It seems he's a philosopher, and keen on exercise by education.
Doctor of Philosophy, Bioenergetics, East Carolina University, 2008
Master of Science, Exercise Physiology, Brigham Young University, 2005
Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, Brigham Young University, 2003

Workplace?
Brigham Young University
A private research university in Provo, Utah.
It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Click to expand...
Here you go.. a slightly more complete CV

 
Whereas Mr Plant Chompers...

ruthtalksfood.substack.com

YouTuber Makes Veganism Cool

Chris MacAskill points lens at family, nutritional experts and scientists for the answers
ruthtalksfood.substack.com ruthtalksfood.substack.com

Obviously no contest..
 
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