- The Evolutionary Advantage of Depression – Brian Gabriel – The Atlantic
The Evolutionary Advantage of Depression – Brian Gabriel – The Atlantic:
It turns out that depression may not be a mere trade-off for a vigorous immune response. Dr. Miller suggests that depressive symptoms like social withdrawal, lack of energy, and a loss of interest in once enjoyable activities were actually advantageous to our ancestors. For example, a loss of energy might ensure that the body can leverage all of its energy to fight an infection. Also, social withdrawal minimizes the likelihood of being exposed to additional infectious agents.
Interesting, if not entirely convincing. More evidence needed, etc.
- The fiscal cliff: Are cliffs very dangerous? – Slate Magazine
The fiscal cliff: Are cliffs very dangerous? – Slate Magazine:
About 76 per year. Between 1999 and 2009, 761 Americans died falling from cliffs, according to the CDCâ€™s magnificently detailed data. Thatâ€™s a relatively small number. If commentators wanted to scare the public, they might have called the looming economic crisis, the â€œfiscal anvil,â€ because falling objects killed nearly 10 times as many people as cliffs between 1999 and 2009. Or they might have gone with the â€œfiscal cobra,â€ as venomous plants and animals killed 856 people in the same 10-year period. Another option would be the â€œfiscal hansom cab,â€ since 1,201 Americans perished while riding on an animal or in an animal-drawn vehicle.
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