My thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns on technology, sports, music and life tag:paulbarry.com,2007:Paulbarry.com PaulBarry.com 2008-11-04T09:53:08-05:00 Paul Barry mail@paulbarry.com urn:uuid:7f24a2e4-6697-41a5-a131-1efaf43e5876 2007-09-09T20:58:09-04:00 2007-09-09T20:58:09-04:00

<p>In the industry I work in, which is formally known as Information Systems, and informally known as Computer Nerdery, consuming Caffeine is prevalent. That's not to say that it isn't prevalent among the general public, but I have a feeling, based on no research what so ever, that it is even higher among Computer Nerds. So with that, I make this public service announcement, in hopes to inspire myself as well as others to better health.</p> <p>I've been addicted to Caffeine via soft drinks like Pepsi, Coke and Mountain Dew, pretty much all my life. I've quit drinking soda a few times, but it only lasts a few months. I'm convinced, again based on very little research, that Caffeine, at least within soda, is evil and leads to serious health side effects. The story goes like this. Caffeine is an addictive drug, which you get by drinking soda, which also has in it High Fructose Corn Syrup. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is the most unhealthy, unnatural substance on the planet, and leads to a generally unhealthy diet. When consuming HFCS on a regulary basis, for whatever reason, I am naturally attracted to eating unhealthy foods like Pizza, Cheeseburgers, etc., and equally uninterested in eating unhealthy foods like fruits and vegetables. It's not a coincidence that every fast food restaurant serves large, larger and largest size soft drinks. I'm sure there's good studies out there that prove my oversimplification of this, but I'm not even going to bother seeking it out.</p> <p>I feel my addiction to Caffeine is very strong. I wonder if it is physical or psychological. As I said, I've been drinking soda for as long as I can remember. I can remember as a young boy in the 80s watching a Pepsi ad with Michael Jackson in it. My Dad pointed out that Michael Jackson doesn't even drink soda, in fact he won't even actually touch it in the commercial. I have no idea if that is in fact true, but the point is that at the time I thought to myself, "Is he nuts? How can he not like Pepsi?". Every time I quit drinking soda, I eventually rationalize to myself that it's not that bad and end up drinking it again. This has actually also made me sympathetic to people who are addicted to more serious things like drugs and alcohol. Long after the physical addiction has worn off, the psychologically addicted part of your mind talks the rational part of your mind back into the self-destructive behavior.</p> <p>So from this moment on, if you see me drinking Caffeine in an form, it's pretty much the equivalent to running into Pete Rose in a casino. After the next few grueling days of Caffeine withdrawal, I'll be on my way to Caffeine-free, healthier life.</p>

<p>In the industry I work in, which is formally known as Information Systems, and informally known as Computer Nerdery, consuming Caffeine is prevalent. That's not to say that it isn't prevalent among the general public, but I have a feeling, based on no research what so ever, that it is even higher among Computer Nerds. So with that, I make this public service announcement, in hopes to inspire myself as well as others to better health.</p> <p>I've been addicted to Caffeine via soft drinks like Pepsi, Coke and Mountain Dew, pretty much all my life. I've quit drinking soda a few times, but it only lasts a few months. I'm convinced, again based on very little research, that Caffeine, at least within soda, is evil and leads to serious health side effects. The story goes like this. Caffeine is an addictive drug, which you get by drinking soda, which also has in it High Fructose Corn Syrup. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is the most unhealthy, unnatural substance on the planet, and leads to a generally unhealthy diet. When consuming HFCS on a regulary basis, for whatever reason, I am naturally attracted to eating unhealthy foods like Pizza, Cheeseburgers, etc., and equally uninterested in eating unhealthy foods like fruits and vegetables. It's not a coincidence that every fast food restaurant serves large, larger and largest size soft drinks. I'm sure there's good studies out there that prove my oversimplification of this, but I'm not even going to bother seeking it out.</p> <p>I feel my addiction to Caffeine is very strong. I wonder if it is physical or psychological. As I said, I've been drinking soda for as long as I can remember. I can remember as a young boy in the 80s watching a Pepsi ad with Michael Jackson in it. My Dad pointed out that Michael Jackson doesn't even drink soda, in fact he won't even actually touch it in the commercial. I have no idea if that is in fact true, but the point is that at the time I thought to myself, "Is he nuts? How can he not like Pepsi?". Every time I quit drinking soda, I eventually rationalize to myself that it's not that bad and end up drinking it again. This has actually also made me sympathetic to people who are addicted to more serious things like drugs and alcohol. Long after the physical addiction has worn off, the psychologically addicted part of your mind talks the rational part of your mind back into the self-destructive behavior.</p> <p>So from this moment on, if you see me drinking Caffeine in an form, it's pretty much the equivalent to running into Pete Rose in a casino. After the next few grueling days of Caffeine withdrawal, I'll be on my way to Caffeine-free, healthier life.</p> 70.17.206.191 urn:uuid:0ef4b368-7841-42d4-a3bd-40977d8e8d98 2007-09-17T08:24:37-04:00 2007-09-17T08:24:37-04:00 I love to see this rant in print! I hear it from you every other day but now I can point to this article every time I see you with a mountain dew can in your hands. <br/>