Counterintuitive Fall 2024

are multivitamins dangerous?

It seems counterintuitive that Multivitamins are dangerous. But when used responsibly and respective way as directed, they are in general safe and beneficial for most people. They can help fill nutritional gaps in the diet and prevent deficiencies at the same time so don’t rush and start consuming without limits. However, excessive or improper use of multivitamins can lead to potential health issues and problems. It’s crucial to consult with a specialist before starting any new supplement regimen, as individual needs vary, and excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals can have adverse effects on health. In essence, multivitamins can be beneficial when used wisely, but they should not replace a balanced diet and should be approached with caution to avoid potential dangers. Always don’t forget that nothing can replace the real food so always focus on the great nutrition values has meat, chicken, vegetables, fruits, milk and always the most important advice is drinking water.

Better than fast food?

It seems counterintuitive that there is something better than fast food? Always we heard people saying that fast food is better than homemade food because it’s cheaper and easier to, but don’t forget that having this kind of food on a daily basis can end up in a big issues and impact on your health. So, all the money and time you save it you will end up spending it on your health like we say everything has a hidden cost ” A big mac doesn’t cost $3.99 it costs your health” Fast food is convenient but tends to be high in calories, saturated fats, and sodium, contributing to various health issues like obesity and heart disease. Preparing meals at home or choosing restaurants with nutritious offerings allows for better control over ingredients and portion sizes, promoting a balanced diet and improved overall health. While fast food may be tempting, prioritizing healthier food choices can lead to long-term benefits for physical well-being and overall quality of life. On the other hand, is still in each restaurant also the fast-food places they can still have some meals with good nutrients and having a good impact on the health for example Panera bread, chipotle and salad work.

Cancer sniffing dogs.

how is it counterintuitive for dogs to smell cancer? We assume that we can only detect cancer medical tests and machines to find out, but dogs can smell cancer and warn us. It counterintuitive because it’s not based on intuition but on a skill that the train k9 has. Dogs have shown remarkable potential in detecting cancer through their highly sensitive olfactory abilities. These trained dogs can identify unique odors associated with cancer cells, offering a non-invasive and potentially early diagnostic tool for various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer. While still in research and development stages, the use of cancer-sniffing dogs holds promise as a cost-effective and accurate method for early detection, complementing existing diagnostic approaches and potentially saving lives by detecting cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.

Why Keeping Girls Squeaky Clean Could Make Them Sick

It seems counterintuitive that that being clean could make them more likely to be sick. Girls for the longest time have been taught and expected to stay clean. They wear clothes that they are supposed to keep clean, they are held to a higher standard of cleanliness, they are told to stay out of the dirt, they are told that only boys are allowed to play in the dirt, and so much more. But all of this can cause their immune systems to be weaker because they are not exposed to enough germs. Without the chances for their bodies to be able to build up immunity, they run the risk of higher chance of getting sick and havening worse symptoms than others with the same illness.

Men Defining Rape

It seems counterintuitive that rape had such unfair and odd laws. During 1780 BC, The Code of Hammurabi defined rape of a virgin as “property damage against her father.” During this time, if you were raped while married, you were considered and adulteress and would be thrown in the river as punishment. Up until the l990s the U.S. had very questionable rules for rape punishments. Women of color were excluded from consideration as well. You were basically out of luck if you weren’t a virgin and/or white. Most states “had laws that held statutory rape wasn’t rape if the woman was ‘impure’.” Also, if a women wanted to try and accuse someone of rape she needed evidence, but men had trouble deciding how much evidence was needed. Rape was barely considered until recent times to be a major problem and has only recently become a crime

Is Extreme Parenting Effective

It seems counterintuitive that “extreme parenting” is a thing. These parents are very strict towards there children and prevent them from being ‘spoiled brats’ by not giving them access to whatever they want. They strip away their use of lots of privileges that most kids have that these extreme parents believe causes the rest of these kids to act in negative ways. These parents are also very strict with their children in many ways like only letting them get grades above an A and not even letting them talk to other kids outside of school or sports! They will also force them to spend all of their time learning instead of playing and having fun. A lot of people actually believe that Chinese mothers are superior when it comes to ‘Extreme Parenting’ as most of us know how strict they can be. But it seems to be pretty effective as we see many Chinese children are very smart.

Purposeful Summaries

Do multivitamins really work?

It seems counterintuitive that taking a tiny pill containing a variety of vitamins and minerals could have a significant impact on our health. However, multivitamins can indeed be beneficial for certain individuals. While they should not replace a balanced diet, needs, especially for those with dietary restrictions or medical conditions. Consulting with a healthcare professional is always a wise step before starting any new supplements to ensure they are suitable for your specific needs. 

There’s More to Life Than Being Happy. 

It seems counterintuitive that the pursuit of happiness may not be the ultimate goal in life. In Emily’s article There’s more Life Than Being Happy it explores the concept of a meaningful life and how it differs from a life solely focused on happiness. Drawing from the research of psychologist Viktor Frankl, she argues that finding meaning and purpose, even in the face of adversity, can lead to a deeper and more fulfilling existence. While happiness is often associated with pleasure and positive emotions, a meaningful life requires embracing the full range of human experiences, including pain and suffering. Smith suggests that by pursuing personal values, engaging in meaningful relationships, and contributing to something greater than oneself, individuals can achieve a more profound sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, transcending the fleeting nature of happiness. 

Unemployment Rates

It seems counterintuitive that the decrease in unemployment rates does not align with the additions of a mere 36,000 new jobs in the economy. In the article Unemployment Rate by Wright Bryan. This puzzling scenario raises concerns about the underlying strength of the job market and the overall state of the economy. Bryan suggests that it is essential; to delve deeper and analyze the quality of these newly created jobs, including factors such as wages and benefits. By doing so, a more accurate assessment of the job market’s impact on the economy and well-being of workers can be made. 

PizzaHut at the Pyramids

It seems counterintuitive to have a PizzaHut by the Pyramids. Pyramids is one of the many wonders of the world and one of the best man made structures in the world. It is filled with rich history that dates back centuries and even to this day we are still learning about the Pyramids and what is inside them. It seems counterintuitive that there are fast food places that surround the pyramids. At the very least it could’ve been Egyptian food to try or souvenirs that people can take home to be more immersed in the culture. It seems as if consumerism is still alive and well even in this beautiful place.

Extreme Parenting

It seems counterintuitive that extreme parenting and strict parenting actually leads to more issues for the child. Children with very strict parents find it hard to be themselves and be independent and express themselves. They are also more likely to rebel and actually disobey their parents. If the parents let their kids be more independent they can learn from their mistakes and actually grow up and struggling in the future. More likely than not by not letting your kid learn from their mistakes and hovering they are more likely to be more dependent for a longer time instead of being independent.

Why Keeping Girls Squeaky Clean Keeps Them Sick

It seems counterintuitive that girls are more likely to get sick than boys when girls keep themselves clean. This is very strange but because boys at a young age are outside more and get dirty more and exposing themselves with sickness early girls are staying inside and not developing the antibodies that the boys do. Girls are more likely to suffer from asthma for the rest of their lives while boys get asthma earlier but then recover from it later on.

When A pack of cigarettes cost $222

It seems counterintuitive that we, as a society, complain about the costs of everyday essentials yet pay so much for a cigarette. For example a main problem people have is the increasing price of gasoline. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Freakonomics creators, have consistently been doing tests and research and each one has the same response. There is less than zero health benefits of smoking cigarettes. It was discovered that the reason people keep buying cigarettes is they do not seem expensive. On average cigarettes take $8.00 out of your pocket each time you buy them. The problem is people are perceiving spending $70.00 on gas that can last one about 10 days where as cigarettes are only 8.00. Levitt and Dubner said things are only “cheap” because of our spending habits. The mind is perceiving that $8.00 is nothing coming out of our pockets on a day to day basis. They prompt society to have a more careful eye on spending habits.

Do Multivitamins Really Work?

It seems counterintuitive that multivitamins are not as good for the body as they claim to be. According to the data the people who get their nutrition from food should not be taking a vitamin everyday. People are under the impression that taking them help them, while they do, but they are not life savers. It is actually unhealthy for them to take in too many nutrients from both food and the multivitamins.

Extreme Parenting

It seems counterintuitive that parents are beginning to care more about their child’s academic status than the well being of the child. In many cultures, but primarily stereotyped in the Asian community, parents are pushing their children past their limits in order to do well in school. It seems counterintuitive that they are so focused on making their child excel, while limiting them throughout the rest of their childhoods. It is important to do well in the classroom, but it is also important for them to be physically and mentally healthy and well rounded.

Purposeful Summary Task

Pizza Hut, KFC, and the Great Pyramids of Giza

     It seems counterintuitive that it would be anywhere even remotely close to appropriate that a Pizza Hut, and a KFC would be placed in close proximity to one of the most fascinating and wondrous structures in the world from the time of antiquity. Scholars have long researched and uncovered artifacts and pieces of history that give us a birds eye view of life in ancient Egypt, which was an extremely advanced civilization. So in a way, putting these cheap, greasy fast food chains directly across the way from these structures that show the absolute power and magnitude of intelligence from the Ancient Egyptians, is disrespectful. I would say that nobody wants to spend time and money to go and visit one of the seven wonders of the world and their view be obstructed by a modern chain food restaurant (if you’d even call them restaurants). This really shows the depth in which mega corporations will go to capitalize on quite literally anything, tourism especially. But in reality, these structures should not be tainted by the after effects that come with the congestion of tourism like unhealthy, distasteful fast food chains.

Vancouver and Heroin     

It seems counterintuitive that people with drug problems should be handed heroin, syringes, and other paraphernalia inside the “drug goodie bags” that they are handing out in Vancouver. Heroin destroys lives, and somehow it is being looked at through a lens of “helping” a drug addicted person. Why is it that heroin can be handed out free of cost, but insulin (a life sustaining drug to diabetics) can cost hundreds for a single vial without insurance. Maybe instead of spending time and money giving out free heroin to those who chose to live that life (even though addiction is an illness as well), they should be giving out free insulin, chemotherapy, and other life saving drugs to those who have no choice but to live life with an illness that could very well kill them without the proper care and/or treatment. These drug addicted people are real human beings who deserve real help and intervention. They are individuals who have families or once had families who loved them and frankly, it is inhumane and immoral to be exploiting them with the very thing that is dragging them down and preventing them from living healthy lives.

Men Defining Rape

     It seems counterintuitive that men are given a platform to speak on the rape of women. Now, historically men and their word have been valued more than women but some men still to this day have a medieval mindset when it comes to what they deem as rape or sexual assault. For example in the Code of Hammurabi, if a virgin were raped, it is property damage against her father. Yes that’s right, it wasn’t deemed as damaging to her, but to her father. This demonstrates a mindset that a lot of men think of women as property to do whatever they please with. Something comparable to this would be the GOP’s meditation on what’s really rape. In this, different types of rape are nitpicked and pulled at, all to try and deem what is really rape by you guessed it, men. If there is not spoken, clear, and concise consent (which can be withdrawn at any time for any reason) from an individual who is over the age of eighteen then it is rape. It is absolutely abysmal that certain types of rape would not be deemed criminal. Although rape isn’t just exclusive to women and many men are victims of rape and sexual assault as well, according to statistics, 91% of victims of rape and sexual assault, are women. Of these statistics, only 2% of rapists are convicted and imprisoned. Going off of these statistics alone, men (especially the men in power today) should not have the platform that they do to speak on the issue of rape and sexual assault. 

We Should Give Addicts Drugs Like its Medicine

It seems counterintuitive that a nurse giving heroin addicts heroin for free, multiple times a day could be an effective way to combat a drug epidemic, but that’s exactly what’s happening in Vancouver. Those with little desire to get off of heroin are given a different type of treatment for their addiction, where their addictions are being fulfilled on a daily basis.

As it turns out, the problem with heroin users in a society isn’t the high that they are receiving from it. When heroin addicts don’t know when or where the are going to get their next high, they experience changes in their behavior that makes them more likely to commit crimes and eventually drop dead on the street. The security from the police and the consistent ability to get heroin at these safe zones improve the behaviors of the addicts, and give them more of a chance of living normally. One man who utilized these sites explains how he was even able to keep a job as a result of this consistent and safe heroin.

Some argue that these sites are just delaying the inevitable death of those who utilize them. While these programs may not be effective at getting people off of heroin, they at the very least give addicts a shot at as normal a life as they can get. If the people in these sites are going to die anyway, then it seems logical for these addicts to die in a way that is least intrusive to the rest of society, and in the most ethical way possible.

If Your Country Finds Oil, Run

It seems counterintuitive that finding oil, one of the world’s most valuable resources, is one of the worst things that can happen to a country. Despite the fact that oil brings a lot of wealth to a nation, citizens in countries where oil is struck often become poorer as a result of how that wealth is managed. Oil takes jobs away in the country and negatively impacts the exchange rates of all other goods that aren’t oil. Leaders of these countries are often bribed for the oil and corruption ensues. Oil dependent nations are also able to finance themselves without taxes which means they feel as if they have no responsibility to look out for the people.

Luckily, solutions for finding oil do exist. Alaska is bound by law to invest 25% of oil revenues, and for the payoff to be given to Alaskan citizens as taxable revenue. This helps stimulate the economy, so much so that poverty in the poorest Native populations of Alaska have gone down. Unfortunately similar programs in other countries have had their money raided by their leaders, so this solution is not full-proof. However, nations who have used an oil-to-cash program to put money in the pockets of their citizens are often more well off than those who don’t. If your nation has the displeasure of striking oil, it seems that giving some of that oil money to the citizens is more effective than using it for more traditional government projects.

What We Don’t See Matters

It seems counterintuitive that the most effective way to reinforce a fighter plane would be to further protect the areas that don’t have bullet holes. Why would you want to reinforce an area that isn’t getting shot at? Wouldn’t it make sense to reinforce the areas with the most bullet holes. Well let’s think about it from the perspective of Abraham Wald, the man who was tasked with reinforcing the planes. Wald was examing planes that had made it back safety from war. He cleverly realized that if these were the planes that made it back from war safely, then the areas with tons of holes in them were the areas that were already properly reinforced. He suggested that reinforcing the areas with no seen bullet holes would be more effective because the planes that were hit in those areas were the ones that crashed, not the ones safely parked in the hangar.

Nukes In Japan

It seems counterintuitive that Japan, the only nation to have endured nuclear attacks, would willingly place nuclear power plants in a region prone to earthquakes. Despite this paradox, humans, often referred to as “homo sapiens” or wise beings, have done just that. The author contends that locating nuclear reactors in earthquake-prone areas is inherently risky and questions the wisdom of this choice.

The author’s argument against nuclear power plants is straightforward. First, these plants have the potential to release substantial amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, akin to nuclear bombs. Second, it is prudent to avoid massive radioactivity releases whenever possible. Third, while the likelihood of a meltdown is small, it remains a real possibility. Fourth, the more nuclear plants we construct, the higher the chances of a meltdown occurring. Finally, the inevitable failure of a nuclear plant, especially in earthquake-prone regions, poses severe containment challenges. In contrast, coal-burning plants, though far from ideal, do not release radioactivity.

In conclusion, this article challenges the decision to build nuclear power plants in a country with Japan’s unique history and susceptibility to earthquakes. It raises critical concerns about the risks associated with nuclear energy, emphasizing the potential for catastrophic events that could have far-reaching consequences.

When A pack of cigarettes cost $222

It seems counterintuitive that we often consider fossil fuels and gasoline as cheap energy sources despite their well-documented environmental and health costs. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the minds behind Freakonomics, have consistently challenged conventional wisdom by uncovering unexpected reasons behind common phenomena. They argue that our perception of affordability is distorted because we don’t factor in the true costs associated with these resources. When we consider the ecological and health consequences of burning fossil fuels or the hidden expenses of driving a car, it becomes evident that these seemingly economical choices are not as cost-effective as they appear.

Levitt and Dubner’s work prompts us to question our understanding of what is genuinely “cheap” and highlights the importance of accounting for the full range of costs associated with our actions, challenging us to reevaluate our choices in the context of the Economy of Desire. In this counterintuitive world of freakonomics, we discover numerous surprising cause-and-effect relationships that reshape our perspective on everyday decisions.

Does CSI Make it Harder to Convict Criminals?

It seems counterintuitive that the popularity of procedural TV shows like CSI may have inadvertently made it harder to convict criminals in real-life courtrooms. While these shows have captivated audiences with their portrayal of swift, high-tech crime-solving methods, a joint investigation by NPR, PBS Frontline, and ProPublica called “Post Mortem” reveals a stark contrast between television fiction and the reality of death investigations in America.

The phenomenon referred to as “The CSI Effect” suggests that jurors, influenced by the unrealistic expectations set by these TV shows, now anticipate rapid DNA results and cutting-edge investigative techniques when evaluating criminal cases. Prosecutors argue that this effect has created challenges in obtaining convictions, as jurors increasingly demand the kind of ultra-high-tech evidence they have seen on TV before they are willing to declare a suspect guilty.

Interestingly, the producers of CSI contend that jurors are more discerning and sophisticated than to expect TV-level technology and instant results in actual trials. However, legal experts maintain that jurors often blur the lines between fiction and reality. As a result, prosecutors feel pressured to present exhaustive high-tech forensic tests to juries, not only to establish guilt but also to meet the unrealistic standards set by televised crime dramas.

This raises a thought-provoking question: Does the prevalence of The CSI Effect warrant credible research to better understand its impact on the criminal justice system? The tension between the public’s exposure to fictional crime-solving and the practical challenges faced by legal professionals in the courtroom raises concerns about the evolving dynamics of justice and the role of media in shaping juror expectations.

Pizza Hut at the Pyramids

It seems counterintuitive that one of the most fascinating man made structures on earth would share the spotlight with a fast food chain. In a video, we can see an average Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken, busy with customers merely feet away from the Great Pyramids of Giza. You’d expect this iconic historical site to be untouched by modern fast-food chains, the juxtaposition of a world wonder being set on the same stage as a fast food chain known for its unhealthy practices just might show that consumerism shows no boundaries.

Unemployment Rate

It seems counterintuitive that unemployment rates drop although the economy shrinks. In 2011 the rate of unemployment in America dropped to a low nine percent. This may seem like a good thing, but when put into perspective that the economy staggered and only provided 36,000 jobs nationally, something seems off. When the employment rate drops the most it has in 53 years, its uneasy to see that the reason for it is just simply that unemployed people have stopped looking for jobs. Part of the drop has occurred as many of those out of work gave up on their job searches.

Mormons Baptize Anne Frank

It seems counterintuitive that Anne Frank, known Jewish diarist who was tragically killed almost 80 years ago, is being baptized under the Mormon church. It stands out that someone who has passed away can be even considered to be baptized, let alone the fact that they were prominently known to belong to a different religion. It is stated that over a dozen times a proxy was approved to baptize Anne Frank from 1989 to 1999. “Mormon posthumous proxy baptisms for Holocaust victims or Jews who are not direct descendants of Mormons has continued, despite church vows to stop such practices.” This baffling scenario challenges the ideas of the fluidity of religion, and if one persons religion can live on long after death.