The Economist : Sperm count declines in the Western world

The Economist has a video going around for the past few weeks with the title “Sperm counts in the Western world are in rapid decline. But nobody knows why.”

The video message is a relay of a Reuters report published in the Scientific American last year.

“Sperm counts in men from America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand have dropped by more than 50 percent in less than 40 years, researchers said on Tuesday.
They also said the rate of decline is not slowing. Both findings — in a meta-analysis bringing together various studies — pointed to a potential decline in male health and fertility.” -Kate Kelland, Scientific American

In contrast, no significant decline was seen in South America, Asia and Africa. The researchers noted, however, that far fewer studies have been conducted in these regions.”

Quote of the Day: “Once it starts coming clear to her, again, that these people are all twisted freaks, she starts to notice other things about them. For example, the whole time, no one ever looks her in the eye. Especially the men. No sex at all in these guys, they’ve got it pushed so far down inside of them.” -Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson

No lack of combatant spirit in this TV interview tonight

Fox News host Tucker Carlson “interviewed” lawyer Michael Avenatti on his show tonight.

Here are some general comments:

1. Generally on a show, unless the questions have been agreed upon previously, the host holds the prerogative of which questions to ask.

2. Tucker gives **his own opinion** of what an “act of war” means. An opinion is irrelevant. An act of war could mean taking another country’s citizen prisoner, or posting 5 soldiers on the border as much as posting 100,000 of them.

3. If there were “conditions” of the guest coming on his show, those conditions were not respected.

4. Tucker says his guest did not answer his questions when in fact he did (except one of them, Q2, What effect do you think that has?) You did not answer my question is a common gaslighting accusation bosses say to their employees.

5. This “I feel sorry for her” is the preview to Tucker’s claim that she is “exploited” by his guest.  It is a common tactic to distract and obfuscate. Somebody could have answered :”It’s not important how you feel.”, and pick up on your counterpart last words.

6. If some asked me “What is the injury to her?” I might have said: “There is no injury to her…and continue from than on.

7. Tucker plays the line “you’re the protector” while she works in strip malls. “You’re a little moralizer now.” Evidently this is not an interview, and it hasn’t been since minute number three.

8. When Tucker said “Slow down” he’s begging and has lost it.

This types of  “interviews” is what school masters have with their janitors. Bosses do that.