[flangola7]

If it isn't plastic then what is it? We have been steadily identifying and reducing the number of toxic agents the public is exposed to. Fifty years ago in the 70s the average person would have regular exposure to lead gas, lead paint, tobacco smoke (even if they didn't smoke themselves - indoor smoking was still legal), potent pesticides, and maybe even asbestos. But there were far fewer everyday plastics at the time.

[mrob]

I suspect improvements in communications media. Every day, the average man sees many other men who out-compete him, with no hope of that ever changing. He sees men who are richer, taller, stronger, smarter, etc., in ever increasing realism and "engagement". Beating them is impossible, so the correct strategy in the environment of evolutionary adaptedness would be social submission and hoping they are generous. It seems plausible that there's some biological mechanism that lowers testosterone to aid this process.

[balaji1]

so if you put the "natural" back around the people, biology and mental well-being will improve?

> I suspect improvements in communications media... But this is an interesting take. So wifi is hurting us after all haha

[balaji1]

> We have been steadily identifying and reducing the number of toxic agents the public is exposed to

In some cases, we have just been uncovering what the businesses selling a toxic product already knew but covered up for a quick buck - even using sophisticated and “scientific” arguments.

In many cases, we just need the right incentive from the regulators. To prioritize long term thinking.

[ImPostingOnHN]

> If it isn't plastic then what is it?

a good thought exercise, but a distraction from the question at hand, which is, do we have convincing evidence that it's plastics?