Friday has been tackling me. I've been down and out with a multi-day migraine I just can't kick. I can kind of focus my eyes today long enough to type something but I've otherwise been stuck in bed or on the couch. I hate the feeling of falling so far behind on everything but it's not like I can do anything about that... 😞

If you're in the "I've never heard of this" category and you want a decent beginner book, also available on audio, try The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells. https://www.amazon.com/Uninhabitable-Earth-Life-After-Warming/dp/0525576711/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FG95JU5L5DV1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7Cor-ItR_Da6ecHjoFF8dE9tDsNDuIa3byjxAM4kWerODyUuji6TgB5E_X2N5Jv5vNenVYsLn7wlGWRfoN8tBPWyghDk0LqWD26iXFRZT436i9vLBEG0bXUFvVk6PHcL3Gp-IrvFzrUYdD0YwBQlzqJuTu1liBhBfLmgXy41PwWupNoNooP7FeLOw2K_5MBLAYfmDT5GaHTd7UUTfiOKfHYMRb-2C1wq3RBnQ7_OSJk.2UAkNdTJQCx-Qgltd4nY4JbL4sKnuErv447bUl5BbZE&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+uninhabitable+earth&qid=1714169972&s=books&sprefix=the+uninhabi%2Cstripbooks%2C191&sr=1-1 Keep in mind that since the book has been written that new data has come out. Although it was published in early 2019, we've been experiencing huge, huge change since then. In 2019, no one thought AMOC was likely to collapse until the end of this century at the earliest. In 2023, we're much more concerned about that. Likewise, looking at sea temperatures and air temperatures--we're seeing actual numbers now that we were expecting around 2040-2050 in the 2019 mindset. ETA more resources: Why a degree of global temperature rise matters: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2865/a-degree-of-concern-why-global-temperatures-matter/ Note that this article talks about limiting global warming to 1.5C. That is no longer possible. We're there. Note in the article the differences they point out between 1.5C and 2C in rise. We're not looking at 2C rise on our current path. We're on the RCP 8.5 pathway on our current trajectory, which is about 4.3C by 2100. IPCC sixth annual report https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6syr/pdf/IPCC_AR6_SYR_LongerReport.pdf

IMO, having consumed a lot of scientific papers on climate change in the last 12 months after reading a couple of horrifying headlines: 1. consumption of natural resources continues to skew higher per capita---and demand for key resources still far outstrips even a much smaller population. Optimal population, according to Paul Ehrlich, is probably around 1.5-2 billion. We're currently at 8. 2. the decrease in birthrate we're seeing worldwide (not speaking to the US specifically) is largely because women are becoming more educated and have greater access to contraception---they are choosing to limit their family size and are starting to rise into the middle class, where their consumption demands will increase. 3. we're in absolute immediate danger, globally, of tripping into cascading domino failure where 2C temperature rise pretty much locks in 3C which locks in 4C = complete collapse---so attention is being spent there. We hit 1.5C rise last year, and it looks like we're tipping into 2C in the next few years if not this year.

I just settled in to read the latest edition of the Economist that came with today's mail. If anyone else subscribes, there's an article called "Emptying and fuming" p. 15-17 on how America is shrinking in places. Notably: *between 2010-2020, half of the country's counties lost population (p. 15)--this appears to be a rural emptying population shift to metros *In 2008, we fell below natural replacement rate for our population, the current reproduction rate is 1.67 (p. 15) *net immigration has been falling since the 1990s (p. 15) *community shrink creates cascading problems--housing values fall, tax base falls (affects schools and local infrastructure funding), and the tax base in the shrinking community must rise to continue to provide services (costs remain, they are just more per capita), and businesses leave as people supporting those businesses leave (p. 16)

You probably want something that has avocado or olive oil or sea buckthorn oil or murmuru butter as its base rather than beeswax, but none of those are going to last for hours. You do too much with your mouth (eat, drink, talk) for that to be the case. Silicone makes stuff slippery, petroleum bases help seal in moisture, as do waxes---when you move to healthier products, you just trade off that they don't last as long. The cheapest, cleanest thing you can do if all you're looking for is hydration is just to put some coconut oil or coconut butter on your lips a few times a day. If you're wanting a decent tint, look at Honest Beauty's products--but they don't feel super soft and lush to me.

Honestly, until you get a grip on what exactly it is you are reacting to, I would avoid restaurants altogether. There are too many weird things that go on. And, I say this as a person who grew up with almost no allergies and developed some very serious ones well into adulthood. Until you have epipens, only eat at home. You can go from fine to code blue worthy in as little as a minute, and if you don't have epipens, you aren't necessarily going to be ok waiting for an ambulance. I will also say that allergies can be like a bucket. I am much more likely to have serious reactions to foods when my overall allergy bucket is full. Right now is a terrible time for me, so I'm being very careful to eat at home to avoid even a slight contamination. (And, relatedly, lettuce cross reacts in people with birch allergies.) If you have a true and serious sulfite allergy, you need to know. Avoid grapes, dry gravies and most sauces, maraschino cherries, pickled onions, dried fruits, and a long list of other stuff (google for high sulfite foods) until you can get in for testing. I really hope you don't have a sulfite allergy, for real, but don't assume it is just lettuce until you get tested. Also, if you aren't well versed on food allergies, do a bit of reading. Anaphylaxis is very different from the standard sniffles and hives that a lot of people have with seasonal stuff. For the first few years, I really disbelieved I was having anaphylactic reactions. Like, my brain would not compute it. Dh would have to prompt me with epipens. I now know not to trust my brain but to look for the symptoms in my body. But, just on the off chance your brain places denial games with you also---do a bit of reading.

double post, sorry internet has been hiccupy today here

Chiming back in re: immigration---I mean, realistically, with the amount of global warming that is already baked into the system: Copernicus's sea temperature graph--look at the 2023 and 2024 numbers: https://climate.copernicus.eu/copernicus-february-2024-was-globally-warmest-record-global-sea-surface-temperatures-record-high the reality that we are currently on the RCP 8.5 climate change path, with AMOC signaling it is more likely to collapse in the next 10 years, and that that will bring with it significant sea level rise, coupled with the information from the fifth national climate assessment https://nca2023.globalchange.gov (funded by congressed, information processed by NOAA, we're not talking quackery science here) We're looking at some very serious issues. Agricultural yields are going to drop--probably by at least 30% globally---overnight temperatures aren't going to allow soy seed pods to form, or wheat to head in those key windows. Moisture levels are going to become more chaotic with longer stretches of drought and more intense rainfall. Saltwater infiltration as sea level rise causes freshwater tables to be infiltrated with salt water, making it unsuitable for people or plant or animal use.... Reduced ocean yields of food as we see more anoxic patches and food chain collapse Increased utility instability as demand for electricity goes---data centers aside, just sheer air conditioning demand as well as potable water shortages---but also problems along coastal areas from sea level rise, knowing also that the demand for transformers is pushing a couple of years out and that we're lacking key metals to be able to do a full green energy transformation increased hiccups in global shipping, particularly along river fronts and canal passages (Danube and Mississippi were both affected last year, as well as Panama canal), as well as ports that are going to be affected by sea level rise Like, it's a long and cascading list of failures we're tipping into.....we need reduced population numbers AND we need to try to maintain some sort of stability as well. I think, globally, we've been focused on all of the wrong things....and I think to some degree in a FAFO scenario, having FA for 40 years and not only not fixed our environmental problems but have made them exponentially worse we're going to have a really unpleasant FO era. Life will continue, but I'm not at all convinced that even half of human life is going to be around at 2100.

Peter Zeihan talks about demographics from a geopolitical perspective frequently. I dont agree with all of his ideas, but he has decent graphs and numbers.

What the US is experiencing is part of a global shift of demographics—China, Europe, and most of the rest of the world is experiencing this as well. Older people withdraw their capital from the market as they retire and begin spending it on care. That in and of itself is destabilizing. Benefit programs will struggle as large payments are made out but there are fewer workers paying in. (We need to raise corporate taxes but this doesnt seem likely.) We will have less demand for market goods and retail companies will take an especial hit. As governments have less money in their coffers, I expect continued lack of reinvestment into infrastructure, schools, etc. Demographically, we really need to allow moderated immigration to fill key industry positions with people who will pay taxes.

Apply and go from there. There are tradeoffs to whatever you choose, but your statement that you regret not seeing more of your dad seems like a gut check one. Would you want to be in that town even after your dad passed? Even if you dont get the job, can you rearrange life so that you have more time to travel—like a four day weekend?

Even public universities have bond ratings, liquidity of endowment reports, etc. It’s worth looking for financial reports if there are concerns. If you see significant losses, you know further cutbacks are likely. Most public universities are receiving much less funding per capita, adjusted for inflation, than they did in the 90s…particularly in red states where taxes have been cut on corporations and high wealth individuals. In addition, a lot of administrators have been keen to build buildings and take CEO-level salaries while shortchanging funding educators and departments.

Packaged lettuce is usually dipped in citric acid or aceitic acid or l-cysteine——restaurants use a spray with sulfites. If the gastro reaction is severe I am a bit worried it’s anaphylactic and you’ve just been lucky that it hasnt gone respiratory so far. I’d try to get in with an allergist for testing and epipens. My coconut allergy started off gastro only but did not stay that way.

So glad they did an investigative report and published findings to try to hold those responsible accountable. It was not only a disgrace, but it put so many into serious and real danger. Thanks for updating!

Hugs!

Continuing to think of you, OP.

Of the nonprescription stuff, for normal people, Sensodyne Pronamel is great. Biotene is awesome for people with dry mouth, gum issues, or other medical stuff going on. Rx fluoride toothpaste—Clinpro tastes better than Prevident, imo.

It’s really awesome news that her crp and sed rate are normal. I get that that doesnt resolve whatever it is that she is dealing with, but it does mean she’s not dealing with a huge swath of autoimmune diseases along with whatever is going on. You’re narrowing down a big picture of potential issues, and that *is* real and significant progress.

So glad they are doing a stat MRI.

Not all crimes are reported, but there are pretty good charts published about crime perpetrators by gender. About 90% of violent attacks by strangers are performed by men with male victims. Worldwide, women are the victims of about 85% of intimate partner violence, with women aged 16-24 the most likely to be attacked.

No manufacturer coupon anymore, and goodrx doesnt budge price much. Costco offers a 20% off if you dont bill insurance….which is still crazy expensive. IIRC, the trial and fail of a previous med doesnt take long…I know it seems pointless to re-fail a medicine, but do you have free time this summer for your kid to do it again?

How many of those attackers were female? People have mentioned that both men and women have been attacked…but how many were attacked by females?

We don’t actually purchase anything that has deposits. People just look through everyone’s bins on trash day and so ours get hit too.

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We have problems with both. The houseless raid our trash cans for recycling they can turn in for the deposit money.