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Small-Scale Question Sunday for November 24, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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fireinabottle.net has some really interesting posts about historical calorie consumption. One I remember was about consumption in New York. I don't know if it ever got to 5000 calories, but it was certainly a high number. And he's also written about body temperatures declining over time. He attributes it to increased PUFA consumption from vegetable oil.

Annoyingly, the site seems to be down now, so I can't point to any actual posts.

One I remember was about consumption in New York

I don't have a link handy, but I seem to recall it being demonstrated to my satisfaction that what the Fire in a Bottle guy and the Slime Mold Time Mold guy were presenting as evidence of high historical calorie consumption failed to account for food wasted rather than eaten. Like annual production divided by number of people or something.