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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-02-15 15:50:17
"Admit it. Sometimes you just need a big strong man." -Xander Harris
Buffy fans should appreciate that reference. It's one of my favorite lines to quote around the house, whenever my wife needs help opening jars.
Today, I said it to my daughter when she tried to open the orange juice herself, which earned a side-eye from the wife. It also led me to think about a possible research hypothesis.
## Idea
I've heard that grip strength has been declining in men, to the point where there's barely a difference anymore between men and women.
Is it possible that something as seemingly trivial as not being any more able to open jars, is reducing the rate of relationship formation?
This was one area where men have historically been able to clearly demonstrate some value.
## Empirical difficulties
I have no idea what the data looks like on either side of this question (grip strength or relationship formation), so I can't say much about specific data problems.
However, there is definitely going to be an issue with "the dreaded third thing". In particular, I'm concerned with how to isolate the impact of grip strength decline from other effects of testosterone decline. Ideally, we'd be able to do a longitudinal study of men, where their grip strengths and testosterone levels are recorded, as well as their relationship status over time.
Since there's no chance of doing that study, the best hope would be to put together some population level numbers over time and see if relationship formation rates still have a correlation with grip strength, after controlling for average testosterone levels.
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I hope you enjoyed this half-baked idea. I mentioned to @denlillaapan that it might be fun to share ideas like this on SN. In all likelihood, no one will ever take these ideas any further, but they still might prompt fun discussions.
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/886699
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@ 5d4b6c8d:8a1c1ee3
2025-02-15 15:03:10
Much to @realBitcoinDog's chagrin, we did eat out for Valentine's Day. Well, actually, we got some take out, but it definitely wasn't very healthy.
However, we did eat fairly early, so it didn't mess up my fasting.
## Reflections
Even though I had been regularly fasting before February, this Fast February exercise has improved the habit and led to some noticeable outcomes.
The first couple of days, I was kind of snacky. Because of the fiscal fast element of Fast February, I had to snack on whatever was around the house already. That turned out to be the "wrong" type of applesauce that our daughter refuses to eat. After those first few days, though, I really haven't been very snacky.
In fact, my general appetite is noticeably lower.
The most pronounced non-appetite related effect has been more vivid dreams (or at least more memorable dreams).
On the con side, I have felt a little stiffer and have been stretching more often to alleviate muscle tension.
## Score Card
Day 1: 14 hour fast (13 dry)
Day 2: 15 hour fast (14 dry)
Day 3: 17 hours (16 dry)
Day 4: 18 hours (17 dry)
Day 5: 18 hours (16 dry)
Day 6: 19 hours (16 dry)
Day 7: 16 hours (15 dry)
Day 8: 18 hours (17 dry)
Day 9: 17 hours (17 dry)
Day 10: 15 hours (13 dry)
Day 11: 20 hours (19 dry)
Day 12: 20 hours (17 dry)
Day 13: 16 hours (13 dry)
Day 14: 17 hours (15 dry)
Day 15: TBD (16 dry)
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/886640
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@ da0b9bc3:4e30a4a9
2025-02-15 07:47:12
Hello Stackers!
Welcome on into the ~Music Corner of the Saloon!
A place where we Talk Music. Share Tracks. Zap Sats.
So stay a while and listen.
🚨Don't forget to check out the pinned items in the territory homepage! You can always find the latest weeklies there!🚨
🚨Subscribe to the territory to ensure you never miss a post! 🚨
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/886437