"If everything is killing us, why do we live so long?"

Published 2006-03-31    Printer-friendly version

From Jeff Randall's scathing commentary on the ever-present negative world view prevalent among Britons (and in any other media-rich society, near as I can tell):

Only this week, we learnt of the Yew Tree Danger Alert. No, I'm not making it up. A row of yew trees, next to a children's playground in Bristol, was pulled up in case the kids poisoned themselves by eating the leaves.

It's amazing. On one hand, nutritionists tell us that we need a government programme of food education because too many children won't eat salads, on the other a risk-assessment officer is warning that our kids are in danger of stuffing themselves with toxic foliage.

Try to imagine the conversation: "No burgers, chips and fizzy pop for me tonight, Mum, I've just tucked into a large portion of belladonna and toadstool mix". I don't think so.

[HT: Bill Kinnon]

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