Diet Soda.

[DTisme]

So I guess the gastroenterologist who told me aspartame is famous as a cause of irritable bowel syndrome was just a dupe. Cut out the diet drinks and fake sugar candies, and you will get rid of your IBS, he said. Worked for me, so I believe him. Just because you can digest it, doesn't make it safe for all of us.

[punafish]

@DTisme: please tell your gastroenterologist to consult wikipedia prior to giving such crazy medical advice. (Just teasing ya Paul! :-)

Seriously, for those who take wikipedia as God's truth, I suggest you read Freakonomics. The authors not only understand how wikipedia works, but debunk much of its content. And it's all backed up by lots of data.

[PaulW]

Good, feel free to get all your information off Freakomics then.

[punafish]

Oh Paul, I was just teasing ya! Surely you have a sense of humor and can laugh at yourself, no? So why the glib answer that incorrectly asserts that Freakonomics is where I get ALL my information. (FYI, I read lots of books and seek out different points of view--and believe it or not sometimes I actually agree with you; I just wonder why mature adults can't state their disagreements without being snarky.)

Just like you, I like to question information that folks put out there, including wikipedia. In this sense, we actually have some common ground. Let's embrace it Paul!

Now, keeping this thread on track and Puna related, I'm off to NOT drink diet soda, and instead imbibe in some delicious, purified Puna water!

[LeeE]

Punafish,

I'm raising a glass of that pure, filtered, Puna water to you as we speak.

Pura Vida & Salud!

[punafish]

@LeeE: kampai!

Hope we get the chance to someday toast in person!

[PaulW]

Who's getting "snarky"? You prefer a book/website written by two guys over a website maintained by thousands of volunteers? Be my guest!

Okay, this is how wikipedia works. Everything there is (supposed to be) backed up by a source. If it isn't, it's in danger of being removed. If someone quotes wikipedia, you can go there, find the source, and check it yourself. It is by far the most reliable source of information on the internet. But, of course, it's not perfect. Buyer beware (even though it's free).

It's a lot more reliable than "I heard somewhere" or "my brother told me".

People have to let go of this idea that just because someone disagrees with them then they're being attacked. I like a good debate.

[punafish]

Paul, thank you for posting without being snarky. For the record, I didn't think your post before that was snarky either, just glib. :-) Nor did I think you were "attacking" me. You just came across (to me) as condescending. But that's okay, it's who you are. And for what it's worth, the snarky reference was more about my impression of your general posting style in the past, but that's just my opinion. Of course I welcome folks reading this post to respectfully agree or disagree with this opinion, as long as you keep it related to Diet Cola and Puna ;-)

The good news is we are in agreement that wikipedia is a valuable on-line tool. I use it all the time. As a starting point.

The difference is that I wouldn't cite wikipedia as a reliable source to back up an argument. And I doubt my 8th Grade teacher Sister Mary Ellen Patricia would allow it as a source in a term paper either--even if she were alive today. (As hard as I try, can't shake my wretched Catholic upbringing.) Seriously, how many medical journals and scientific papers cite wikipedia as a source? Credible publications use source material to bolster their credibility. Yes indeed, wikipedia is convenient, but it's a Mickey-Mouse way to bolster your argument. At the very least, Freakonomics is just as credible a source, if for no other reason than they base their conclusions on painstaking research. Do they speak God's truth? Of course not! That's the point, Paul! Lots of "credible" sources out there, and here's the kicker: they don't all draw the same conclusions. Life isn't as black-and-white/cut-and-dried as you'd like it to be. Like it our not, knowledge keeps evolving.

I can only guess that your posting style rubs some folks the wrong way, and I have no doubt that you give not a whit. Gotta admit that I found it irritating at first (not your opinions, rather your style of expressing them). But after some reflection and observation, I've come to the conclusion that it's best to engage you directly, with compassion and humor.

Behind your combative exterior, I believe there's a goodhearted person who aspires to do good deeds. (But man do you love to be "right"!)

Now, can someone help me out here and somehow relate this post to diet cola and Puna? Or perhaps it's time for Rob to step in?

Cheers and goodnight!

[dmbwest]

LOL 10 X ... I'm not reading ANYTHING on this thread other than a quick skim, a-la evelyn wood but its still damm amusing.

Thank you Rob for hosting the entertainment.

aloha,
pog >>> If I had to pick one, it would be Red Bull Cola but if that were not available and i had to pick an American brand, it would be Coke even though I usually chose Dr. Pepper when I pick my son up after school and we are a little bit thirsty.

[PaulW]

Yeah, I've been thrown off forums before because I refused to use smileys. It's worth it.
Just imagine a smiley after every sentence I write, it saves time.

Wikipedia is not meant to be used as a reference for scientific papers or school assignments. It's a starting point. It is good for informal references, such as in forums like this. If it's in wikipedia then as far as I'm concerned, it's true. If you think it isn't, then please, go ahead and change it. That's the whole idea of wikipedia. Make sure you have a solid reference though, otherwise your change won't last 10 minutes. I notice that still nobody has provided a single credible link that show that artificial sweeteners do any harm. That says enough.

I don't care what people do or what they eat or drink or smoke. But if someone says or posts something that is not true (or that I think is not true) then I can't help myself but remark upon it. If anyone doesn't like that, then c'est la vie.

Gotta go apply some cream to my wrinkled face.