5 ms·

I'm more surprised when I come across very rich people (e.g. VCs, CEOs, etc.) who are obese. You have all the money in the world and somehow made it to the top

by tempsy 7y ago

I'm more surprised when I come across very rich people (e.g. VCs, CEOs, etc.) who are obese. You have all the money in the world and somehow made it to the top without the self-control and determination to take care of your body (and in turn mind)?

the_economist 7y ago
To me, this indicates that obesity is a function of something other than self-control and determination.
- vorticalbox 7y ago
  Yup, eating to much and doing to little.
  - TeMPOraL 7y ago
    Nope. There are many other reasons. The most obvious one is self-medicating, either stress or some undiagnosed condition. People are good at unconsciously developing coping mechanisms.
    - marcusverus 7y ago
      Some people have medical issues causing obesity, sure, but we’re the same species we were 50 years ago. Any physiological cause of obesity in people today was also present then, presumably at the same rates. But they didn’t have an obesity epidemic. Whatever thing (or set of things) is driving the change in obesity rates, it is not a biological force that is outside of out control.
  - jpindar 7y ago
    That may be a good enough explanation for why one individual is fat. It doesn't explain why whole societies are becoming heavier. Something must have changed other than our species as a whole just becoming lazier for no particular reason.
- gdix 7y ago
  I think his point is that it also may indicate that it's not (simply) a function of wealth, as the article suggests.
- SCdF 7y ago
  Heh. To me, it indicates that success is a function of something other than self-control and determination (ie largely luck, circumstance and nepotism).
appstorelottery 7y ago
Behaviours serve a purpose - or they become extinct. Sugar, fats and the like can serve to self-sooth. Humans, contrary to what it sounds like you think - aren't terribly rational - humans are emotional creatures. To understand why a particular individual is overweight needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. What is the function of overeating in this case? Is it biological (e.g. damaged hypothalamus) - are they depressed - stressed? What function does the behaviour serve? The human condition and success encompasses more factors than simple self-control and determination (so does financial success as well - it's not purely a function of determination and self-control... for example, what if you're a great schmoozer? You're taking clients out to dinner all the time & drinking with them? What if they're also overweight? What if this is one of the root causes of your success? (in your mind))... Thinking + feeling = judging. So, you think why are they fat? (a thought) and then you feel something (surprise). So now you're judging - and this can very well get in the way of truly understanding others. I hope this helps :-)
- snarf21 7y ago
  Well said. Maybe they are workaholics and spend 16 hours a day at work. Nutrition doesn't matter to them only money and success and fame. Health may not be a metric they track or care about any more than work:life balance or good family relationships.
  - tempsy 7y ago
    Speaking from experience, when I eat like crap I feel tired mid-day, can't sleep well, and can't focus. Part of what I was trying to get at is if I cared to make myself an ultra productive work machine, then eating healthy and exercising (especially if I have an unlimited budget to do so) would be a key component to making that happen.
    - jyounker 7y ago
      I’ve heard that investment banking runs on cocaine. Who cares if you feel sluggish if you can just snort a few lines?
chaosbutters 7y ago
I share the same reasoning and why I personally, question a person in a position of management. Being overweight, fine. But being obese is just a lack of will power. It is refreshing to see CEOs like Musk and Bezos work on their health as they became more successful.
asveikau 7y ago
When I was obese, stress and using vehicles were the biggest drivers. High power people are certainly stressed. They may drive/be driven around everywhere. They may neglect exercise due to the two factors above. But they could be executing well at a job, possibly at the expense of these other things.
inscionent 7y ago
Some rich people just got lucky. Being rich doesn't change the fact that they are a human living in a society free flowing with quick calories.
CJefferson 7y ago
I'd find it very interesting to understand other people's "self-control", vs "normal behaviour". As brief background, I've lost about 80kg, but I've put 20kg of that back on. My main problem is what my body "wants" is about 1000-1500 calories a day too many. When I'm eating "properly", I'm hungry ALL THE TIME. And the world is full of tasty food, in basically every street one walks down. I'm guessing that most people aren't hungry all the time, every day. Could you, in the middle of the afternoon, eat and enjoy an extra 1500 calories and then still feel hungry for dinner?
- antisthenes 7y ago
  Reading this makes we wonder if we are even the same species. You've lost more weight than I ever weighed at my highest (while trying to gain weight during weightlifting). 2 things come to mind: 1. Being hungry all the time sucks. I hated working out when hungry, nor am I a good contributor while hungry. It makes one very irritable at small things that normally would not bother me. > Could you, in the middle of the afternoon, eat and enjoy an extra 1500 calories and then still feel hungry for dinner? 2. Maybe my stomach is just small, but I find it incredibly hard to eat more than 1000 calories in a single meal. It would result in extreme fatigue and a 'food coma' for at least an hour. I guess it's technically possible if you only eat the highest possible density foods like meat and fat and protein powder, but that doesn't seem like a healthy diet.
  - leetcrew 7y ago
    > Reading this makes we wonder if we are even the same species. humans vary wildly on almost any metric you choose to examine. I have a hard time just maintaining my weight. I almost never feel actual hunger; I just get something to eat when I notice that I can't focus on work anymore. if I'm not working, I might forget altogether.
protomyth 7y ago
If you get a chance, read "Liar's Poker" by Michael Lewis. One section is on a group on the trading floor that have some really bad eating habits (gluttons) that is part of their work culture.

by tempsy 7y ago

the_economist 7y ago

To me, this indicates that obesity is a function of something other than self-control and determination.

vorticalbox 7y ago
Yup, eating to much and doing to little.
- TeMPOraL 7y ago
  Nope. There are many other reasons. The most obvious one is self-medicating, either stress or some undiagnosed condition. People are good at unconsciously developing coping mechanisms.
  - marcusverus 7y ago
    Some people have medical issues causing obesity, sure, but we’re the same species we were 50 years ago. Any physiological cause of obesity in people today was also present then, presumably at the same rates. But they didn’t have an obesity epidemic. Whatever thing (or set of things) is driving the change in obesity rates, it is not a biological force that is outside of out control.
- jpindar 7y ago
  That may be a good enough explanation for why one individual is fat. It doesn't explain why whole societies are becoming heavier. Something must have changed other than our species as a whole just becoming lazier for no particular reason.
gdix 7y ago
I think his point is that it also may indicate that it's not (simply) a function of wealth, as the article suggests.
SCdF 7y ago
Heh. To me, it indicates that success is a function of something other than self-control and determination (ie largely luck, circumstance and nepotism).

appstorelottery 7y ago

Behaviours serve a purpose - or they become extinct. Sugar, fats and the like can serve to self-sooth. Humans, contrary to what it sounds like you think - aren't terribly rational - humans are emotional creatures. To understand why a particular individual is overweight needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. What is the function of overeating in this case? Is it biological (e.g. damaged hypothalamus) - are they depressed - stressed? What function does the behaviour serve? The human condition and success encompasses more factors than simple self-control and determination (so does financial success as well - it's not purely a function of determination and self-control... for example, what if you're a great schmoozer? You're taking clients out to dinner all the time & drinking with them? What if they're also overweight? What if this is one of the root causes of your success? (in your mind))... Thinking + feeling = judging. So, you think why are they fat? (a thought) and then you feel something (surprise). So now you're judging - and this can very well get in the way of truly understanding others. I hope this helps :-)

snarf21 7y ago
Well said. Maybe they are workaholics and spend 16 hours a day at work. Nutrition doesn't matter to them only money and success and fame. Health may not be a metric they track or care about any more than work:life balance or good family relationships.
- tempsy 7y ago
  Speaking from experience, when I eat like crap I feel tired mid-day, can't sleep well, and can't focus. Part of what I was trying to get at is if I cared to make myself an ultra productive work machine, then eating healthy and exercising (especially if I have an unlimited budget to do so) would be a key component to making that happen.
  - jyounker 7y ago
    I’ve heard that investment banking runs on cocaine. Who cares if you feel sluggish if you can just snort a few lines?

chaosbutters 7y ago

I share the same reasoning and why I personally, question a person in a position of management. Being overweight, fine. But being obese is just a lack of will power. It is refreshing to see CEOs like Musk and Bezos work on their health as they became more successful.

asveikau 7y ago

When I was obese, stress and using vehicles were the biggest drivers. High power people are certainly stressed. They may drive/be driven around everywhere. They may neglect exercise due to the two factors above. But they could be executing well at a job, possibly at the expense of these other things.

inscionent 7y ago

Some rich people just got lucky. Being rich doesn't change the fact that they are a human living in a society free flowing with quick calories.

CJefferson 7y ago

I'd find it very interesting to understand other people's "self-control", vs "normal behaviour". As brief background, I've lost about 80kg, but I've put 20kg of that back on. My main problem is what my body "wants" is about 1000-1500 calories a day too many. When I'm eating "properly", I'm hungry ALL THE TIME. And the world is full of tasty food, in basically every street one walks down. I'm guessing that most people aren't hungry all the time, every day. Could you, in the middle of the afternoon, eat and enjoy an extra 1500 calories and then still feel hungry for dinner?

antisthenes 7y ago
Reading this makes we wonder if we are even the same species. You've lost more weight than I ever weighed at my highest (while trying to gain weight during weightlifting). 2 things come to mind: 1. Being hungry all the time sucks. I hated working out when hungry, nor am I a good contributor while hungry. It makes one very irritable at small things that normally would not bother me. > Could you, in the middle of the afternoon, eat and enjoy an extra 1500 calories and then still feel hungry for dinner? 2. Maybe my stomach is just small, but I find it incredibly hard to eat more than 1000 calories in a single meal. It would result in extreme fatigue and a 'food coma' for at least an hour. I guess it's technically possible if you only eat the highest possible density foods like meat and fat and protein powder, but that doesn't seem like a healthy diet.
- leetcrew 7y ago
  > Reading this makes we wonder if we are even the same species. humans vary wildly on almost any metric you choose to examine. I have a hard time just maintaining my weight. I almost never feel actual hunger; I just get something to eat when I notice that I can't focus on work anymore. if I'm not working, I might forget altogether.

protomyth 7y ago

If you get a chance, read "Liar's Poker" by Michael Lewis. One section is on a group on the trading floor that have some really bad eating habits (gluttons) that is part of their work culture.