Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

Post by peoplefromibiza » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 2:28 PM UTC

mikewarot wrote: post #126

Pet peeve about language use: I thought it was obvious that short-sightedness (Exclusively Short term thinking) is an epidemic, nobody on Wall Street can see past the next Quarter's numbers. I don't need the economist to point that out. Nearsightedness is what this article is about... a completely different thing. I've dealt with that my entire life... and just went through the knock-on effect of retina detachment, a…

Post by GordonS » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 2:30 PM UTC

Lio wrote: post #81

silisili wrote: post #65

I feel like this has always been a rather obvious thing...for at least what nearly a century or more? The whole trope of glasses are for nerds. Kids who spend time reading a ton are nearsighted. I understood this in elementary school, when the only kids with glasses were the smart ones. (I hated reading, and did not wear glasses, so was not a 'smart one'). I became nearsighted not long after getting a home computer,…

This is very anecdotal. I’ve been using computers since I was 4 years old, starting with a Commodore PET. I’m longsighted, so what do I draw from that? Only that we should use stats properly lest we become superstitious.

Post by couchand » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 2:30 PM UTC

mattlondon wrote: post #57

inglor_cz wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If we manage to have a kid, long walks everyday are planned :) More movement, less screen time is always good for health, parents' and kids' alike. Also, getting used to all sorts of weather improves the immune system. By spending too much time indoors we are becoming glasshouse flowers.

Good luck with the plan :) Under the age of about 1 to 1.5 then you get to call the shots of what happens when. Walk as mu h as you like. After that age, the kids start to get their own opinions and won't always just do what you want them to do. You may want to go for a long walk, but the kid wants to do something else. They'll spend 95% of the time trying to escape the buggy/stroller or trying to run off or just sit…

Post by peoplefromibiza » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 2:33 PM UTC

jaqalopes wrote: post #238

robinduckett wrote: post #189

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This feeds into my pet peeve that Americans assume the world revolves around them and that all use of non American English is invalid despite the stereotype being that British English speaking people are worse for this.

It's not so much invalid as confusing. For Americans to call someone "shortsighted" has a well-known usage and negative connotation about their intellectual integrity. As someone who had never encountered the British usage prior to this headline, I don't think it's out of line to remark on this as a weird curiosity of our shared (but also frequently as in this case not shared) language.

Post by pessimizer » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 2:37 PM UTC

FollowingTheDao wrote: post #241

JoBrad wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The last study says “myopic children regardless of their IQ gain better school achievement”. This makes me think the difference is cultural vs genetic.

Does it mean they are more obedient? Not meaning that as a put down, but being good in school has a lot to do with behavior.