http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8411329.stm
Well they're at it again. Apparently the secret of long life is to look young for your age. That seems like a simple thing to say, but the way the article above is worded has very dangerous undertones. For instance (and yes I know I'm banging on here), consider these two statements:
1. If your body's cell-reproduction system is good, you will live a long life. You will also appear to age slowly.
2. If you look young for your age, you are likely to live a long life.
The first statement is a bald statement of fact.
The second statement is a subtle spin, which invites the weak-minded to put the cart before the horse and conclude that the secret of long life is to look young. Don't laugh, it happens. They might then rush out and buy up their local Boots' stock of skin creams, or book into the local health spa, having once again been convinced that the problem of ageing and dying can be overcome if they just throw enough money at it.
I'd like to know who put the spin on this article. I'm betting on the journalists. I can't believe any decent scientist would allow their findings to be used in this way. The horrible thing is, once the headline has been swallowed, the actual research can be presented as evidence, and the illusion is reinforced.
Better go, I'm getting far too upset about it.
Be good.
Well they're at it again. Apparently the secret of long life is to look young for your age. That seems like a simple thing to say, but the way the article above is worded has very dangerous undertones. For instance (and yes I know I'm banging on here), consider these two statements:
1. If your body's cell-reproduction system is good, you will live a long life. You will also appear to age slowly.
2. If you look young for your age, you are likely to live a long life.
The first statement is a bald statement of fact.
The second statement is a subtle spin, which invites the weak-minded to put the cart before the horse and conclude that the secret of long life is to look young. Don't laugh, it happens. They might then rush out and buy up their local Boots' stock of skin creams, or book into the local health spa, having once again been convinced that the problem of ageing and dying can be overcome if they just throw enough money at it.
I'd like to know who put the spin on this article. I'm betting on the journalists. I can't believe any decent scientist would allow their findings to be used in this way. The horrible thing is, once the headline has been swallowed, the actual research can be presented as evidence, and the illusion is reinforced.
Better go, I'm getting far too upset about it.
Be good.
Calm down, calm down old fella, you don't need another frown line.
ReplyDeleteNo. That would take at least a year off my life expectancy. Blimey now I'm frowning more. It's getting wors..........(slumps over keyboard.)
ReplyDeleteResearch sponsored by Oil of Olay.
ReplyDeleteAnd BBC news let the work experience kids write their web content I think.
Ra ra ra, my license fees, ra ra ra.
You bring up a good point - BBC website and its overall quality. I always go back to it, but that's because I know of no alternative news source that isn't US-based. This article is one among many that don't really live up to the normally excellent BBC standard.
ReplyDeleteI notice that if one is silly enough to click on a video news item, the video is always preceded by an advert, which can't be fast-forwarded. Annoying.