From: gts (gts_2000@yahoo.com)
Date: Wed Apr 23 2003 - 14:55:48 MDT
Eliezer S. Yudkowsky:
I agree with you about burden-of-proof and a priori assumptions, Eliezer.
There was nothing in your last post that I find objectionable, other than
your blatant mischaracterization of my position.
I am arguing *why* the paleodiet should be the default diet hypothesis --
not that everyone here must assume it merely on faith! See my arguments
against the dairy farmers in one of my very recent posts, for example, in
which I cite evidence from modern science that modern humans are not
well-adapted to dairy. See also my recent message to Harvey, in which I cite
evidence from modern science that grains and legumes contain lectins, known
to be allergens and possible causes of diseases.
Below is another way to view the burden-of-proof question... this requires a
bit of imagination so please don't attack this argument for that reason
alone:
Imagine for a moment that ill-health is the only health problem faced by
humans, i.e., that death does not happen, but near-death is an unpleasant
reality to be avoided. You were born 4,000,000 years ago, and since then you
have evolved in the same way that humans as a species have evolved in actual
reality.
In other words, imagine that your name is Mr. Hugh M. Species.
The year is ~12,000 B.C.
For millions of years you've done fine on a diet of only lean meats, fish,
fowl, eggs, vegetables, fruits and nuts. This is the diet on which you were
raised and to which you are genetically adapted. Then, overnight, along come
the dairy and grain farmers. You awaken one morning to a Neolithic world in
which people are trying to foist dairy and agricultural products on you.
Would it not be unreasonable to ask those dairy and grain farmers to first
prove their case that these new-fangled foods are good for human health and
longevity? i.e, would it not be unreasonable to take the position that the
diet you've followed for millions of years is the default diet hypothesis in
need of being disproved?
-gts
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