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I'm not saying whether or not Soylent is the real deal. But I don't understand why you think it's not possible to come up with an optimal combination of input

I'm not saying whether or not Soylent is the real deal. But I don't understand why you think it's not possible to come up with an optimal combination of input (food) into our bodies that maximizes it's output (longevity?).

ekianjo 13y ago
First, longevity is not the main output of the human body. At least there's no single output. What if Soylent is good for your brain but detrimental to certain organs? Or the opposite? I have a biochemistry background and from what I know the digestive process is extremely complex and still certain parts are not fully understood. So I highly doubt a bunch of whiz kids can find the optimal formula for food without any scientific background, sufficient research and proper studies to support the claims they make. Plus, it's not like there are no variations from one person to another in terms of what you need in terms of nutrition. We know genetic differences exist, in some parts of the world you have deficiencies of certain enzymes to break down some types of food, and so on. By the way, if you want a simple diet, you can probably live on rice and bread alone (mostly). You don't need to stuff your body with some shit people have no experience with. Rice/Bread may not be a very good diet but it satisfies a number of nutritional requirements and we know for a fact people can live (maybe not very well) on such diets (because they did for a fairly long amount of time).
- foobarbazqux 13y ago
  Don't forget that enjoying meals with other people and having direct connections to the earth and the people who produce your food is socially and emotionally healthy. The psychological damage to most people due to a strict Soylent diet would be significant, and psychological stress causes physical health problems.
  - ekianjo 13y ago
    I agree with you but that has nothing to do with the point being discussed here in this particular sub-thread.
    - foobarbazqux 13y ago
      So if someone is looking for optimal food inputs with respect to longevity, I think it's relevant to point out that how you eat may be almost as important as what you eat. That's all, really.

ekianjo 13y ago

First, longevity is not the main output of the human body. At least there's no single output. What if Soylent is good for your brain but detrimental to certain organs? Or the opposite? I have a biochemistry background and from what I know the digestive process is extremely complex and still certain parts are not fully understood. So I highly doubt a bunch of whiz kids can find the optimal formula for food without any scientific background, sufficient research and proper studies to support the claims they make. Plus, it's not like there are no variations from one person to another in terms of what you need in terms of nutrition. We know genetic differences exist, in some parts of the world you have deficiencies of certain enzymes to break down some types of food, and so on. By the way, if you want a simple diet, you can probably live on rice and bread alone (mostly). You don't need to stuff your body with some shit people have no experience with. Rice/Bread may not be a very good diet but it satisfies a number of nutritional requirements and we know for a fact people can live (maybe not very well) on such diets (because they did for a fairly long amount of time).

foobarbazqux 13y ago
Don't forget that enjoying meals with other people and having direct connections to the earth and the people who produce your food is socially and emotionally healthy. The psychological damage to most people due to a strict Soylent diet would be significant, and psychological stress causes physical health problems.
- ekianjo 13y ago
  I agree with you but that has nothing to do with the point being discussed here in this particular sub-thread.
  - foobarbazqux 13y ago
    So if someone is looking for optimal food inputs with respect to longevity, I think it's relevant to point out that how you eat may be almost as important as what you eat. That's all, really.