Fluoride

[Pippy]

Hey,

I do appreciate your candor though... Seriously.

but asking for things that should exist if your claims were even remotely true

Ah, yes. I agree, but that depends on my claim. Like, I shudder to say, 9/11. I make very, very careful claims. In this case I claimed that I am not convinced that fluoride in the water is a pragmatic idea, in the sense that it may cause more harm than good. I think that I personally do not want fluoride in my water, and I question it's use and saftey. I am not claiming that there is a conspiracy, or that people are trying to harm us with intent. I am only claiming that I have concerns, and so far some of these concerns remain unanswered. If fluoride was harmful, I suppose there would be tests to show it. But that is so muddy, and we can't clap our hands and say that fluoride must by default be safe in lieu of such...

efficacy - capacity for producing a desired result or effect;

Yes, I mean capacity to have effect. And yes, desired effect, not just any old effect, yes. I thought it was the right word

Just so we stand on the same page, do you agree with that definition? If so, then my point is still valid. If the capacity is has for producing an effect (in this case being deadly or causing harm) requires 1g of fluoride, and you are only consuming 2mg (if that) a day, you aren't in any danger.

Ah, you're misunderstanding my use of the word although you get the definition right. When I question fluorides efficacy, I am not talking about it's health concerns. I mean that if there is so little fluoride that I needn't be concerned about it harming me, what does that say towards the efficacy of it as a medicine? That it needs to be effective at oral health to be justifiable as an additive, and if it is so little an amount, what of it's ability to then have any positive effect? Efficacy of it as oral medicine, not efficacy of it not harming us. Is the point I'm trying to make clear? I'm working with sand here <taps head>

you would die of water intoxication

That's the joke. I often bet stupid people that they can't drink 9 liters of water in 15 minutes, and either they don't and I win the bet, or they do and collapse into a coma and die, so I don't have to pay them anyways. Win win.

If it makes it seem so safe, it's because it is safe in those quantities. Sometimes Pippy (actually, most of the time) there isn't a conspiracy.

Ah, again. If it's safe at those levels, can you also argue that it's effective at those levels? What if it is neither safe nor effective? Should we go through the trouble of putting it in the water then? No one said anything about a conspiracy, just stupidity and snake oil salesmen.

We've been over the benefits of fluoride; it strengthens your teeth, meaning less cavities and less trips to the doctor.

And you also mentioned dental fluorosis. There are arguments for the efficacy of fluoride, and for the detriment of it. My jury is still out. I like when they compare dental health of fluoridated versus non-fluoridated, but it doesn't take into account how our cultures eat candy all day long...

Either way, like you said, I should be in theory allowed to drink whatever I want to, and not feel forced to drink something I don't. In theory. And as long as I am quiet and polite and at least semi-reasonable about my concerns, I think they should be allowed.

Congrats on your scholastic prowess. I remain a proletariat, but you deserve commendation regardless.

Thanks,
-Pip