I got an interesting question in my YouTube comments asking: why do some people have teeth that never grow in?

 

 

To read my full answer you can just scroll down in the comments, but to summarize, a lack of space or a lack of development can prevent teeth from coming in.

 

Lack of Space: It's common for people to think they don't have 3rd molars (wisdom teeth) when really they do have them, but there isn't enough room for them to erupt. And if they do try to come in without enough space it can lead to an impaction and needing to get them removed. Teeth not fitting in the mouth isn't a natural situation, rather the result of under-developed craniofacial structures (like the jaw and maxilla). Nutrition, or should I say "the lack of adequate nutrition" plays a big role here (much more coming on this soon...). 

 

Lack of Development: Some people never have certain teeth, most commonly 3rd molars, upper lateral incisors, and second premolars. While there is no definitive answer to why this happens it appears that genetic factors and environmental influences (such as trauma, infections, oxidative stress, toxins, and drugs) play the most significant roles. Again, a diet that leads to high levels of oxidative stress and/or high in toxins can disrupt the tooth germ during initial stages of formation. 

 

 

I have a strange pet peeve when I hear someone say, "trust the science" or "I believe in the science." Because that's not how science works. It doesn't ask for trust or belief. The foundation of science is built on "applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation."

 

The scientific method calls for the "formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses." It does not call for belief or trust. Nor does it require consensus.

 

In the 19th century the greatest scientific minds in the world had consensus that flight was impossible. 

 

"I can state flatly that heavier than air flying machines are impossible."

 

This is a direct quote from Lord Kelvin in 1895 who was the first British scientist to be elevated to the House of Lords, President of the Royal Society in London, a world-renowned expert, at the height of his career. Absolute temperatures are stated in units of "Kelvin" in his honor. Yet neither his status, nor his accomplishments, nor his beliefs stopped the Wright brothers from making the 1st sustained, controlled, powered heavier-than-air manned flight in 1903.

 

"The present generation will not fly in the next 100-years, and no practical engineer would devote himself to the project." 

 

Worby Beaumont, January 1900

 

 

 

Many of the errors in scientific thought (demonstrated by Kelvin and Beaumont) result from cognitive biases. These biases not only lead to wrong scientific conclusions, but wrong decisions in our everyday life. The best way to avoid these misjudgements is to be aware they exist. This is a great thread highlighting 20 ways we deceive ourselves.

 

 

One way to overcome some cognitive biases is to look at the data. This became very clear to me when I recently started running ads for NED.

 

Of course, the ads I thought would perform best tended to do the worst, and the ones's that I thought were questionable, did the best. 

 

What do you think? Guess which creative performed the best:

 

 

All correct guesses will be entered into a drawing for a special prize. I'll announce the winning ad and winning guesser (and their prize) in next week's newsletter :)

 

 

 

– now read from bottom up

 

 

Not all forms of money are created equal. Those that understand the key moments in history that defined our global financial system have an enormous competitive advantage (to getting the best kinds of money).

 

 

 

 ❔ Is it too much or not a problem:

 

 

A Saturday morning roundup on health and wealth, art and science, creativity and innovation, laughs and life by Kevin Stock.