This is a ridiculous statement, and so is a lot of other poop we will read.
Especially now that we have so much digital information at our fingertips, we have to be really careful about what we believe and don't, what applies to us and doesn't, what is old information and new, what is biased and objective. The way information is presented and interpreted makes a world of difference. And knowing the date and the source of the information is critical.
When looking for information, most people just do a quick online search and read the first few listings that pop up. Remember that those listings are not listed by date or by level of truth or even by best match with our search request. The listings are not where they are by accident, either. People, organizations and companies pay good money to get their listings closer to the top so people will click on them. There are several ways this can be done, and there are experts who make it happen. It is a big industry/field of study and means big money for those who come up at the top. What that means for the consumer (us) is that we need to very carefully word our searches and be very selective of what we read.
There are dozens of opinions, as varying as you can imagine, on any topic you choose to research. Some of those opinions are backed by scientific research and some aren't. Seems like it would be fairly easy to distinguish between the two; just watch for the right title or reference, right? No. You have to consider several aspects of the referenced material: Is it worded and formatted in a way that is professional and objective? Who is sponsoring the research? Do they have a vested interest in the outcome, or are they a neutral party with a genuine interest in an accurate conclusion? Who is heading up the research? Is it always the same person or group, or are there others who have had the same findings? Do they have a reputation in the field, or have they created their own? Are they using titles or positions that are deceptive (they sound official, but aren't legitimate titles in the field)? Does the research involve a large sample population, or is it just a small group? Is the sample random, or do they have something in common that would influence the outcome? Was the research conducted over a long enough period of time? Is it recent enough, or are there newer findings? Every one of these questions should be answered before you draw a conclusion about an opinion or statement. And remember....just because somebody works in the industry and writes a book or hosts a website does not mean they are an expert.
Even after you are able to conclude whether a piece of information or an opinion is accurate or even fairly accurate, you still need to consider whether the information is applicable to you as an individual. You may be the exception to the rule. There are very few truths that hold true 100% of the time. It is always best to first act on the truths that have been scientifically proven, BUT, if that is not working for you, then maybe it just doesn't apply to you. If there is one thing I have learned in dealing with so much medical poop, it's that there are no absolutes. There are always exceptions. No two bodies are identical, and no two bodies will function or respond in the same way. You have to find what works for you.
At the same time, there are many pieces of information that are passed around as truths that just simply are not true and have no validity, yet they are passed along as such when there are several red flags flying high indicating that they are not. The statement that "margarine is just one molecule away from plastic" is a great example. Perform one search and you will realize this is a ridiculous statement. Yes, margarine and plastic share many similar molecular properties, but so do butter and plastic, and so do most other things in our universe. The reality is that, on a molecular level, most materials are made up of the same or similar molecules. The key is in how those molecules are arranged. The arrangement of the molecules determines the material formed more than the molecules themselves.
Our DNA is an excellent example. We know that even the slightest difference in the make-up of our DNA is what makes us all different. We humans are extremely similar, but we are all unique. My son has a rare genetic disorder called Dravet syndrome. It is caused by a gene mutation where only two amino acids, out of his entire genetic make-up, are switched. Nothing is missing, nothing is added, nothing is changed except the line-up of the amino acids. That one change causes his brain to misfire nearly constantly, causing seizures, disability and severe developmental delay. So, you could say that he is one molecule away from being normal, but he really is so very far away. :)
As a matter of fact, I am stuck here at my laptop today, rambling at you, because I am keeping my boy happy and entertained through a rough patch. Lucky you! ;) Anyway, I hope this was helpful for someone. Navigating through the mounds of information we have available to us can be a daunting task. Maybe this will help you on your journey!
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