32 | New Scientist | 19 March 2022
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Editor’s pick
Surely there is more to
baby boomer misery
5 March, p 21
From Pam Lunn,
Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK
You report research that concludes
baby boomers are the “unhappiest
generation” because of “greater
competition” in a large cohort.
This raises the question: can cohort
size really be the only cause? What
about the intergenerational and
epigenetic changes from two
world wars? These would relate
to the effects of stress and social,
economic and nutritional shifts.
A large proportion of the
baby boom generation had
grandparents affected by the
first world war. The parents of
the boomers were born to, and
raised by, those people; then they
themselves were affected by the
second world war. These parents
then gave birth to and raised the
boomers. Can all of this be ignored?Could a slight change avoid
reliance on Russian fuels?
5 March, p 9
From Zoe Farren,
Windermere, Cumbria, UK
Further to coverage of energy
issues related to the Russian
invasion of Ukraine. Less than
10 per cent of the oil and gas used
in the UK seems to be imported
from Russia, and the figures are
smaller in the US.
Is it too simplistic to suggest
that if everyone in these countries
cut use of oil and gas by a minor
degree, there would be no need
to import from Russia, no need
to court questionable regimes for
supplies, and no need to revive
the case for fracking in the UK?Advice from a Pollyanna
on keeping up spirits
22 January, p 38
From Bonita Ely, Sydney, Australia
Following up on David Robson’s
article “The pursuit of happiness”,as a Pollyanna with a relentlessly
sunny disposition, I am never
lonely or depressed.
I offer the following lessons to
add to Laurie Santos’s free online
course that Robson mentions:
enjoy your own company; use
your imagination, be creative,
be a maker; enjoy the creativity
of others – writing, music, films,
art, plays and so on.Solar doesn’t need to
cover fields with panels
Letters, 5 March
From Georgina Skipper,
Weymouth, Dorset, UK
In reference to the circular
economy, Geoff Russell
paraphrases that “for every
complex problem there is an
answer that is clear, simple and
wrong”. He says this applies to
mass solar power, in part due
to its land requirements.
This ignores a clear and simple
application of solar panels – on
the 50 per cent of pitched roofs in
countries such as the UK that face
south-east to south-west. There is
already a system to feed surplus
solar electricity into the grid in
productive periods, and with
better batteries, more houses can
become self-sufficient. There is no
need for vast solar panel arrays.The many unsung health
benefits of owning cats
5 March, p 23
From Ametrine Lavender,
Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK
In your article “Dogs trump cats
in helping people stay fit as they
age”, the conclusion appears to be
that walking a dog regularly has
benefits in reducing future ill
health, but that having cats has
no ongoing health benefits.
I suggest the researchers aredefining health and disability too
narrowly, and particularly missing
out the role of cats for people who
have ongoing mental health issues
or are neurodivergent. Many such
adults, especially if single, are
aware they can’t manage the day
to day needs of a dog, but having
a cat can provide a furry friend.
I often tell people that “my cats
are the people I come home to”.
There seems to be evidence that
cat ownership by people with
poor mental health has a
beneficial effect on their lives
because of their commitment
to and relationship with their cat.
It would be interesting to see
some research into the benefits
of feline companionship for single
adults, and particularly those
with already existing conditions,
whether physical, neurological,
or psychological.It might be wise to temper
long covid cure hopes
26 February, p 38
From Stephanie Woodcock,
Carnon Downs, Cornwall, UK
It may turn out to be premature
to think that many treatments
will become available for
long covid a year after the
immunological toolkit has been
applied to studying the condition.
If current research doesn’t yield
the hoped-for answers, then paths
forward become elusive. People
with similar conditions, such as
myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME),
also called chronic fatigue
syndrome, have come to know
this only too well.
We should consider the idea
that a latent infection, carried
undetected and capable of evading
and confusing the immune
system, is involved in long covid.
Were this to be the case, then
any additional serious healthchallenge, such as the coronavirus,
might cause the immune system
to become overwhelmed. At that
point, any latent infection would
have a chance to manifest.I’m ready to catch the
slugs, but what then?
5 March, p 48
From Jane Pearn,
Selkirk, Scottish Borders, UK
After reading your interview with
“slug hunter” Rory Mc Donnell,
I’m all set to trot outside with
bread dough to catch the little
blighters. But if it works as well as
it did for Mc Donnell, I’m picturing
heaving balls of live and happily
feasting slugs and snails.
He talks about “terminating”
more than 18,000 snails. My
question is: how? Instruction
part two needed, please.A good book is as good
as self-transcendence
5 March, p 44
From Anne Goodall,
Churchdown, Gloucestershire, UK
Regarding your look at the
benefits of self-transcendence.
Simply losing yourself in a good
book can be a benefit in this world
of constant outside stimuli.From Peter Brooker,
London, UK
Is it the case that transcendental
experiences could counteract the
depression and anxiety generated
in most people by the reports
of daily horrors in Ukraine?London cabbies seem to be
able to gain new brain cells
26 February, p 16
From Charles McDowall, Bristol, UK
The idea that adults can’t grow
new brain cells clashes with some
empirical evidence. In particular,
reports of trainee London taxi
drivers developing enlarged
geographical capability with a
corresponding rise in brain size
when learning “the knowledge”, a
taxing test of navigating the city. ❚Want to get in touch?
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