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We are overwhelmed with safety and advisory information.
I bought a new mower today and the instructions read - "You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions" which is true. The development of microsurgery coincides with the widespread use of petrol mowers. It then adds "Do not use this lawn mower except for mowing." which begged the question as I read it "What else can you use it for?" but I guess there are some real idiots out there.
I then went to the supermarket to buy dinner and picked up a packet of figs which were on special. They bore the proud announcement in big letters "Gluten Free". By this time I had had enough.
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
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Watch daytime TV. This is the era where people like to claim compensation for whatever they can. Usually using some law firm with '4U' appended to the back end of it. The Gluten Free thing is probably some mindless edict from Brussels.
It's just a symptom of the demise of the human race.
Regards,
Rob Philpott.
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Rob Philpott wrote: The Gluten Free thing is probably some mindless edict from Brussels.
Ehr, no, that's simply "marketing". In a similar way, we have Kosher salt.
Give it a year or two, and salt will also be lactose-free, gluten-free, suger-free, boasting on the label that it does not contain dangerous fats*
*) but may contain traces of nuts.
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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Yes, ok, I'll accept that. However, the labeling is in accordance with EU regulation:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 41/2009 established rules for the use of terms concerning the absence of
gluten, as defined in Article 4(a) of the Foods for Particular Nutritional Uses Directive 89/398/EC. It aims to set out the compositional criteria and labelling rules that may be used for those products which are specially produced to be gluten free and also to make provision for ordinary foods that naturally do not contain gluten to be able to make a claim to this effect.
So there you have a rigid specification. Why not use it in which case?
Regards,
Rob Philpott.
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Rob Philpott wrote: So there you have a rigid specification
It's not a rigid spec; it's law that's designed to keep marketing happy.
Please do note:
EU wrote: and also to make provision for ordinary foods that naturally do not contain gluten to be able to make a claim
So, gluten-free bacon is only the beginning.
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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Indeed but do we all have to be treated like idiots because of those who are just hosts for their facebook account.
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
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In a proper world we wouldn't. We would go back to the sensible rules like caveat emptor, and making people take responsibility for their own lives. Instead we allow idiots to claim, and be awarded, compensation for almost anything.
That's why the voters of Luton must elect this man[^].
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pwasser wrote: "What else can you use it for?"
Turn Upside-down, operated and he-presto: Rapid Cucumber chopping at your disposal!
pwasser wrote: I guess there are some real idiots out there.
Guess no more! 
Alberto Brandolini: The amount of energy necessary to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.
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Mower are designed to mow grass, but people may want to find alternate uses for a gas motor. The company is trying to limit liability. As a child, my brother's and I built a go cart with a machine machine motor and a number of extension cords, hardly preferred use.
As for gluten free, while many people are more aware of gluten sensitivity, gluten can be found in products that people don't suspect. My mother-in-laws friend has ciliac disease. If she has gluten, it tears her up. Try to find ketchup that is gluten free... she called the manufactuer and was told it may be apple or wheat based vinegar, so look for some that specifically says gluten free.
I wouldn't expect gluten in figs, but were they packaged in a facility that uses wheat products?
I worked for a cereal manufacturer and we got a call asking if there was any possibilty of nut contamination for a particular carton of cereal. The answer was no, good manufacturing processes in place, but that doesn't mean all manufacturers are as consciencious.
Tim
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Tim Carmichael wrote: As a child, my brother's and I built a go cart with a machine machine motor and
a number of extension cords, hardly preferred use.
The liability here is clear - is it not.
The manufacturing of goods now gives a clear advantage to places that can protect themselves from the risk of litigation - and where might they be?
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
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Tim Carmichael wrote: ciliac disease
You actually hit upon a real problem: People with real problems and needs are being drowned in a see of bulls^^t;
People, I hypothesize, are need if a sense of belonging - even if it's to a group with a disease. Smirk all you like, but I've seen it live-and-up-close a number of times (in aquainttences of Mrs. Wife).
In the US (and beyond?) they pharmaceutical companies have employed a clever mechanism for creating a desire for their latest witch's brew: they drop the real name of an illness/condition and give it a pleasant sounding acronym. There are many, but my favorite is "Low T", followed by / inter-spacing a sales pitch for testosterone patches/under-arm-roll-on/whatever. The quite fast speaking voice in the background, outlining the side effects, mentions everything but having you junk fall-off if you use it. They've grabbed onto everything - they know their market (that's marketing's job, isn't it?). Another, the high-cost drugs for "acid-reflux", which everyone with heartburn now has. The over-the-counter meds, thus, aren't good enough for their condition.
Then, of course, there was diagnosing every child with attention-deficit-disorder, and when that finally wore out (or they ran out of kids?) they change the rules for diagnosing autism so that they can enormously increase those so diagnosed (and thus treat them and buy a second or third home in the Bahamas). There are some kids with these problems - not half the elephanting population!
But, although I rant, I do not digress. People have these problems - not nearly so many as claim to - and those who are genuine victims are now lumped in with a sea of idiots. Idiots with wallets and/or insurance coverage.
Damn, I'm angry this AM.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Re: ciliac disease. Because Mary Lou didn't know gluten was causing the problem, her intentines are a mess. The found out when she was in her late fifties.
Re: ADD/ADHD/Autism. My daughter is autisic; when the changed the defintion, they also wanted her retested. We said.. uhhh... no... you moving the cheese doesn't change who she is. She does take medication in the morning to help her focus, but that's all.
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My Mrs. is special ed teacher, typically at in-patient mental hospitals. I hear an awful lot about people with real problems.
While you daughter has a real problem, there are parents insisting their children be tested for and diagnosed with autism so that they can get special (educational) services for them at public expense.
It's become so much more about profits and less about patient care. The whole health care system is collapsing under it's own weight. Much of that is profit-motivated. My math knows the solution to that, but I'm not in the mood to get into political arguments this AM.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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pwasser wrote: What else can you use it for?
Well, Peter Jackson used it for killing zombies[^]. (Warning: Lots of fake gore.)
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
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As I wrote my post I was thinking about which warning might have averted "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
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pwasser wrote: It then adds "Do not use this lawn mower except for mowing." which begged the question as I read it "What else can you use it for?"
Pick it up, hold it sideways, and trim your hedge. *duh*
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies.
-- Sarah Hoyt
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pwasser wrote: What else can you use it for?
Food Processor?
Tropical Crushed-Ice drinks?
Opening bottles of Gin the only way they should be opened?
What can't they be used for?*
* presuming enough medical coverage
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Last night's Dragons' Den on BBC2 had a couple who were selling vegetable crisps - fried beetroot, carrot, etc - they described them as being lower fat and gluten free! Even standard crisps mad out of spuds fried in lard would be gluten free!
=========================================================
I'm an optoholic - my glass is always half full of vodka.
=========================================================
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pwasser wrote: They bore the proud announcement in big letters "Gluten Free". By this time I had had enough.
I realize it's a fad / buzzword now, but you should follow a gluten free diet or at least low gluten. Anyone who thinks otherwise is really not in touch with their body. The "common intellect" and reading won't tell you what your body is saying.
And I know people on CP like to argue, and I know how the "science" crowd thinks in general when it comes to health. But, let's just say my opinion comes from experience and healthy people that LIVE a healthy life rather than sit in a chair all day and over-analyze what should be healthy, while having zero clue what their body is telling them, as they talk about bacon and desserts while getting fat in real life.
Jeremy Falcon
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Jeremy Falcon wrote: but you should follow a gluten free diet or at least low gluten
Well the "Gluten Free" label proves that the fad followers don't know what gluten is. Should oranges and bananas also be labelled "Gluten free" to facilitate this fad.
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
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pwasser wrote: Well the "Gluten Free" label proves that the fad followers don't know what gluten is. Should oranges and bananas also be labelled "Gluten free" to facilitate this fad.
Oh, I agree with you 100% on that. Most of the labels you see is all hype and marketing crap to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
Jeremy Falcon
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pwasser wrote: We are overwhelmed with safety and advisory information.
I bought an antenna once that contained the following warning: Do not throw antenna at spouse.
I saw a warning sticker on a piece of exercise equipment that read: Warning. Misuse of this product can result in severe injury, death, or both. So if I die, would I care if I were also severely injured?
pwasser wrote: ...which begged the question as I read it "What else can you use it for?"
Trimming hedges...while suspended from a crane.
"One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - James D. Miles
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pwasser wrote: I bought a new mower today and the instructions read - "You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions"
That's not a warning.
And it's also why I don't buy Stalin brand lawnmowers.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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I was wrong.
A question, asked.
A quick google done.
A link to the google search, a link to the top hit (which explains what to do and gives the exact code on SO), and a quick-but-polite "please google first" message.
The response?
"Give me source Please...."
Not only too lazy to Google.
Too lazy to click a link... 
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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