Scientists at UBC used ecosystem models, underwater terrain maps, fish catch records, and statistical analysis to estimate the biomass of Atlantic fish [large PDF] at various points the last century.  David McCandless of the UK Guardian's Data Blog turned the resulting maps into this animated GIF: McCandless writes: These early accounts and data on the past abundance of fish help reveal the magnitude of today's fish stock declines which are otherwise abstract or invisible. They also help counter the phenomenon of "shifting environment baselines". This is when each generation views the environment they remember from their youth as "natural" and normal. Today that...

06 June, 2011

A study [pdf] by U of T researchers Nina Mazar and Chen-Bo Zhong purports to show that people who purchase green products behave less altruistically. [P]eople act more altruistically after mere exposure to green products than after mere exposure to conventional products. However, people act less altruistically and are more likely to cheat and steal, after purchasing green products than after purchasing conventional products UK Guardian columnist James Baggini thinks he know why: The general truth lurking behind these findings is that the feeling of being pure is a moral contaminant. In ethical terms, the best never think that they are the best,...

21 March, 2010

It will not surprise regular readers to know that Contrarian is the founder and charter member of the Iceberg Lettuce Anti-Defamation League, an organization dedicated to defending the iceberg's humble, moist, crunchy goodness from calumny and abuse at the hands and tongues of self-appointed food snobs. As you may imagine, this can be a lonely crusade. Thus it is with joy in our hearts (and thanks to Contrarian reader C.C.) that we offer membership to UK Guardian food columnist Tim Hayward for his recent, eloquent paean to the glories of the iceberg. Moneyquote: [T]he iceberg...

22 January, 2010