In the olden days, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and everyone knew who Johnny Carson was, that's what we used to say about TV. I remember my Mom saying to me in all seriousness "If it's not true, they can't say it on TV." We know now how silly that was. But nowadays we see the same tendency with the internet.
Of course, I don't think there's anyone who believes my opening statement - "If it's on the internet, it has to be right -- Right??" We know there are quacks out there who are really only after our hard-earned money, and will make any claim to get it. Unfortunately, a lot of people see something on an internet website and believe it a little too easily. The internet, in that light, can be a trap.
However, the internet can also be a huge help.
Consensus
About 15 years ago, I worked for a company called Marui here in El Paso. Marui manufactures the plastic faces for car stereos, and they had a molding/painting/laser factory here that is now long gone. Marui was (is?) a Japanese company, and when I was hired I discovered they made many of their decisions based on consensus, and rarely allowed a single individual to make an important decision.
The lesson I learned there has been an important part of my life since then. Generally, if there is not consensus on an issue, I am more likely than not to dismiss the claim, or research it ultra-completely. This applies to what we can discover and research on the internet. For example, let's say we run into a website on the internet that claims that the sky is actually green, and not blue. That particular website cites studies (whether real or imagined) and really makes a convincing argument. Now of course all a person would need to do is take a glance outside to see a blue sky, but for the sake of the example let's say that is somehow impossible. Using search engines, it is possible to gain consensus and therefore "prove" that the sky is actually blue. The Giggle search results would show the single website with the Green claim, and 40 websites with the Blue claim. Through consensus, we discover what most likely is the truth.
Health and Weight Control on the internet is a zoo. There are a million claims and counter-claims, and I believe one of the worst mistakes we can make is to just believe what we read and apply it to our lives without doing proper research. There are multitudes of objective (non-profit oriented) sources for information and there really is no excuse for not doing the research. After all, if we start using a fad diet or a new wonder-supplement, our personal health is at stake! It is silly to blindly follow the claims of one or two websites without spending an afternoon studying.
When studying through an internet claim, place your emphasis on finding sources that are independent, objective, and have no financial interest. If a company is selling a new wonder-drug or supplement for weight loss, and they cite a study proving it works - but then an internet search uncovers a dozen other studies or testimonies that say it doesn't work, are you going to still make the purchase and try the product? That would be silly.
Many close family members and friends are trying out a few new diets and supplements. All I'm saying is that using these diets and supplements may have unintended and lasting negative effects on our health. And, they may not - they may be great. My point is to do your own research and study before you commit your health to any of these plans.
See you on the bike!
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