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I recommend commenters don't rise to the bait of the headling ("the key" is stupid) and respond to the précis instead: "Some researchers suspect these bacterial

I recommend commenters don't rise to the bait of the headling ("the key" is stupid) and respond to the précis instead: "Some researchers suspect these bacterial ancestors living within our cells may contribute to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders."

faeyanpiraat 5y ago
I second this, don't get discouraged by the other comment thread, this is actually an informative piece.
RivieraKid 5y ago
Thanks for this recommendation. I will definitely consider it.
ramraj07 5y ago
Even the précis with an accented e is flawed. This is still akin to saying the ALU in the computer CPUs is the key to solving all our cybersecurity issues, like in a uselessly pedagogical way it might be true but it’s mostly bs. The fact of the matter is our biological systems and signaling pathways evolved with no particular plan in place, so of course various components inside a cell play important roles that might not sound intuitive to anyone. The mitochondria are very much a part of our cell notwithstanding having their own dna, how many trillions of generations do you need before you stop pointing out that this family member was adopted or something ? I’m not saying that these pathways should not be studied, but it’s very annoying that scientists resort to such disingenuous messaging not just to the public but also to grant review committees. My favorite other outrageous (important, but still outrageous) strictly true but kinda bs statements include: 1. We are more bacteria than ourselves because we have more bacterial cells (our cells are 1000x larger so no shit) 2. Using only 10% of your brain 3. Your immune system is responsible for X 4. Your gut micro biome is responsible for X (Though 3 and 4 have exceptions like when the autism researchers finally conceded that maybe the parents were not bsing after all and there’s a gut immune connection).
- whatshisface 5y ago
  >This is still akin to saying the ALU in the computer CPUs is the key to solving all our cybersecurity issues Except for Rowhammer. :)
- rpastuszak 5y ago
  > 2. Using only 10% of your brain That’s not correct, but it’s a common misconception
dang 5y ago
Yes. We've put that in the title above.

faeyanpiraat 5y ago

I second this, don't get discouraged by the other comment thread, this is actually an informative piece.

RivieraKid 5y ago

Thanks for this recommendation. I will definitely consider it.

ramraj07 5y ago

Even the précis with an accented e is flawed. This is still akin to saying the ALU in the computer CPUs is the key to solving all our cybersecurity issues, like in a uselessly pedagogical way it might be true but it’s mostly bs. The fact of the matter is our biological systems and signaling pathways evolved with no particular plan in place, so of course various components inside a cell play important roles that might not sound intuitive to anyone. The mitochondria are very much a part of our cell notwithstanding having their own dna, how many trillions of generations do you need before you stop pointing out that this family member was adopted or something ? I’m not saying that these pathways should not be studied, but it’s very annoying that scientists resort to such disingenuous messaging not just to the public but also to grant review committees. My favorite other outrageous (important, but still outrageous) strictly true but kinda bs statements include: 1. We are more bacteria than ourselves because we have more bacterial cells (our cells are 1000x larger so no shit) 2. Using only 10% of your brain 3. Your immune system is responsible for X 4. Your gut micro biome is responsible for X (Though 3 and 4 have exceptions like when the autism researchers finally conceded that maybe the parents were not bsing after all and there’s a gut immune connection).

whatshisface 5y ago
>This is still akin to saying the ALU in the computer CPUs is the key to solving all our cybersecurity issues Except for Rowhammer. :)
rpastuszak 5y ago
> 2. Using only 10% of your brain That’s not correct, but it’s a common misconception

dang 5y ago

Yes. We've put that in the title above.