rheanna

rosequartz,

The missing ingredient is the money that is not yet in his pocket. I've looked at a description of the book, by the author, and my uh, "nonsense" radar pegged at the highest setting.

He says that this missing ingredient is the second most common pain reliever prescribed in Germany. I live in Germany. I can attest that the Germans are not cured of cancer or autism or spastic colon or migraines or clogged arteries just because this ingredient (whatever it is) is available here.

He says that this ingredient is abundant in raw foods. Most of us eat salads, and even munch on a carrot or two. So one would assume that most of us are actually getting this ingredient in our diets. I have seen no studies that say that people who eat an all-raw-food diet are free from cancer and digestive problems and autism and lupus and multiple schlerosis. And arthritis. Oh, and strokes. Because this missing ingredient eats placque.

Humans spread across the planet over bazillions of generations by being able to eat the local foods. Humans discovered fire and found that they could eat lots more foods that are inedible when they are raw. Humans now live all over the world eating a varied diet. Populations who get lots of exercise and eat less-processed foods and who live in harmony manage to fight off lots of diseases and live long healthy lives.

My guess is that somewhere in the book is a message that you can acquire this missing ingredient from a source that is going to put even more money back into Euler's pocket. He makes some veiled reference to being able to purchase this ingredient from health food stores. What do you want to bet that he will be a major share-holder in whatever company makes this special ingredient?

My summary: the missing ingredient is the eternal quest for the Holy Grail, the Fountain of Youth, the Magic Potient, the Cure-All Pill. We humans are suckers for such pitches. We want to believe.

Just so that no one accuses me of calling other people gullible, I'm writing this because I too have fallen for similar pitches -- lots of times. I've fallen for these pitches so often that I'm now well versed in the typical phrases that are used. I'm now well versed in the hope that is raised in my own mind when I read them. But I know from experience that the pitches have no substance behind them, and I can now recognise the illogic behind them. I too am human. But I've learned to look at the logic as well.

Perhaps someone here can fill us in on exactly what this magic ingredient is.

--Rheanna