A few years ago someone told me that all mammals, including humans, have a lifespan of a billion heartbeats. I believed him, didn’t question the number, assumed that he knew what he was talking about. Some time later I decided to check the numbers, to work out how many heartbeats there might be in a… Continue reading How many heartbeats?
Earlier this month I wrote about Micromorts and Microlives, referencing a New Scientist cover feature from May 2015. Since then I have read the book mentioned in those pieces, “The Norm Chronicles: Stories and numbers about danger” by David Spiegelhalter and Michael Blastland). It’s an entertaining and detailed look at risk and the different ways… Continue reading More about Micromorts and Microlives
Mean, median, mode: does an understanding of these statistical terms count as Universal Knowledge? Can most adults be expected to know the difference, and why you would use one statistical measurement rather than another? In my experience, probably not. We can conclude that plenty of people are unfamiliar with basic statistics because the word “average”… Continue reading Mean, Median, Mode
We were talking at the weekend about the concept of “micromorts” and “microlives”. I had read about it sometime over the last year in the New Scientist and have just dug out that copy of the magazine. I was surprised to find that it was nearly a year ago (the 30 May 2015 edition). I… Continue reading Micromorts and Microlives (an introduction)
In a recent TV news item about the junior doctors’ strike the presenter spoke about operations being cancelled. The presenter said, “Routine operations, such as hip replacements and knee replacements” were being cancelled. My immediate thought was, “Since when has a hip replacement been routine?” but maybe I’m just not familiar enough with medical terminology.… Continue reading “Routine Operations”
Here’s a theory for you. The ideal dietary regime for you is linked to your blood type. If your blood type is O you should follow a high protein diet (and eat meat); if your blood type is A you should follow a high carbohydrate diet (and be vegetarian). It’s a theory, I must emphasize… Continue reading Eat right for your type
My wife has a significant birthday today, one that ends in a zero. I won’t tell you how old she is, but if I did you could repeat the words she has been hearing in the last few days, leading up to the big day: “Really? You don’t look it. How do you do it?”… Continue reading Big Birthdays
Some things are high maintenance and some things are low maintenance. Maybe this doesn’t bother you. If you have a car that needs constant attention you might be the kind of person who enjoys tinkering with cars, so that’s just fine. I prefer it if things just work and don’t need to be tinkered with.… Continue reading Low Maintenance, High Maintenance: Baby Milk, Beards and Smoking
How many changes would you make to increase your chances of a long and healthy life? Would you eat oily fish (sardines or mackerel for example) twice a week? Maybe you already do. Would you drink more water and drink less beer or wine? Again, maybe you already have the balance right there, keeping your… Continue reading Oily Fish
Today I had a lengthy dental appointment, having an old crown replaced. On the way I pondered just how old the previous crown was. It was definitely from the 1980s. When it was fitted Margaret Thatcher was still prime minister, Ceaucescu was still president of Romania and the Berlin Wall was still standing. And I… Continue reading A newly acquired fear about injections
The Compartments 