Obesity has been on the rise since the 19th century, and the recent uptick since the 1980s is just a continuation of a long-term trend. The puzzle of why Americans have been gaining weight over the past decades is not actually a mystery – it’s a result of the increasing availability of food, its tastiness, and our general affluence. The food security issues of the past have been replaced with a new focus on food insecurity, which is defined as having access to food but not being able to afford enough of it to avoid disruption to eating patterns. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
