Self-control

I read the behavioural literature as a meta form of self-help. Here are some standard ways that people can screw things up; here are some heuristics they use that work on average but can yield failures when applied to the wrong domain; here are some strategies for applying the right heuristic at the right time and for avoiding applying the wrong one; here are some common spots where people need to be extra-vigilant to avoid making errors.

Gareth Morgan tweets a link to a write-up of the standard Wansink findings around food:

Why most people don’t have control over how much they eat http://t.co/Cf6lyT1RHt
— Gareth Morgan (@garethmorgannz) February 23, 2014

Sure, in field experiments, you can induce overeating by making people think that they've eaten less than they have (for example, by surreptitiously filling the bowl from below). But does that mean that they're irrational and always subject to error? Or might it mean that people eat until one of two conditions are met: satiation, or end of current portion? If the latter typically comes before the former, people stop eating at the end of the bowl. If the former tends to come before the latter, they'll leave some behind. What interest would a restaurant have in supplying you with more food than you'd really want when doing so might make you less likely to order dessert and will make you more likely to linger longer at the table?

The linked piece also takes a self-help approach to the findings: Try using smaller bowls or smaller plates; don't go for "value" deals if that isn't what you really want to eat.

And so Matt Nolan replied to Gareth:

@garethmorgannz Control still comes from the fact that people can precommit by purchasing smaller packets/portions http://t.co/eI50VkKJdV
— TVHE (@TVHE) February 23, 2014

Morgan replied,

@TVHE You are assuming perfect information
— Gareth Morgan (@garethmorgannz) February 23, 2014

This kind of line really bugs me; it reminds me of the kind of thing that non-economists will come out with when criticising economics. Imperfect information hardly seems to be what's driving food choices. And, perfect knowledge is hardly necessary to make precommitment viable. You just need to know that you often screw up particular kinds of choices.

Odysseus didn't need perfect information about just how lovely the Sirens' call was in order to have the sailors bind him to the mast; he just needed to know that the temptation had proved too tempting for many others. I've never played World of Warcraft, but that doesn't mean that I've erred in deciding never ever to start playing multiplayer online games. I definitely don't have perfect information about it - I've never played it! But I know that I'd find it hard to avoid spending too much time playing online games if I had the added pressure of friends wanting me to come help them on a raid. So I just don't play. Imperfect information has led me to consume what's likely too little gaming relative to an ideal: you don't need to assume perfect information to get precommitment.

Informative labelling

Suppose you went to the supermarket tomorrow and half the apples had a new sticker on them. The sticker said "These apples have been treated with 1-Methylcyclopropene". The other apples had no sticker. The apple selection is identical to what it was yesterday, but today there are the stickers.

Now suppose I came up to you at the supermarket and offered you the following bet:

"1-Methylcylopropene is a gas that helps apples last longer. Here's a brochure explaining it all. It makes apples better.* But I have a bet for you. I bet that sales of the labeled apples will be lower today than yesterday and that sales of the unlabeled apples will be higher today than they were yesterday. $10, even odds."

Would you bet against me?

That's why I don't like mandatory labeling of GMO foods. A label saying "This product may contain ingredients derived from Genetically Modified Organisms" doesn't just tell people that there could be GMOs in the product. It also tells us that the government is sufficiently worried about GMOs that it thinks you should be told about it.

There's consequently a big difference between producers voluntarily labeling their products as GMO-free and the government mandating everyone label products that may contain GMOs.

Here's Mark Lynas from earlier this year. As best I can tell, the "consensus among people who know about this stuff" is as strong on GMOs as it is on climate change. Or at least I see a whole lot of people who know a whole lot about this stuff treating the GMO-worriers with about as much disdain as they treat the anti-vaccination, anti-fluoride, and "global warming doesn't exist" people. I consequently conclude that there's no scientific basis for deeming the risks of GMOs sufficiently worrying to get the hooples all riled up by mandating labels.

I also see nothing banning anybody from putting "GMO-Free" labels on their products for those who really do want to worry about that stuff. Even if their understanding of the science seems wrong, I see no reason that producers shouldn't cater to their fears. It seems very plausible that they get very real disutility from eating things that might have had GMOs in them, and that voluntary labeling of GMO-free products can make them better off. Just like people who dislike chemicals are made better off by the availability of an "Organic Food" section at the supermarket.

For an opposing view, see John Small.

* From Watkins (2006): "The rapidly ripening summer apple 'Anna' treated with 1-MCP that had less fruity, ripe and overall aromas, and were firmer, crisper, juicier and less mealy, were more preferred in sensory analysis than untreated fruit (Lurie et al, 2002; Pre-Aymard et al., 2005)."

Note however that I know basically nothing about this chemical; I just Googled for some food chemical that looked harmless.

Sweater Weather Picnic

Play this song.

Imagine laying on green grass, staring at the blue sky. Yesterday's weather is kinda perfect for late Summer/early Fall picnic. Central Park was crowded, as usual, but we managed to find an ideal spot to lay our heads. Green grass, blue sky and occasional September's breeze; the serenity of this place is just perfect. We ate a lot, drank a little lot, laughed too much, took a good nap, played frisbee with plastic box from Chinese takeout, oh and we saw America's Got Talent Kristef Brothers and Catapult. 

Good food & beer. Great friends. Life is indeed grand.

Cheers!

Spring Binge: Madison Square Eats

It is that time of the year, the much-anticipated season that everyone loves. The sun is finally out, shyly, warming up the city once again. Occasionally it rains, of course, but now you can truly smell the rain - that earthy scent. Yes, Spring has sprung and the earth has come alive.

Most people at this time will think, "Oh shit, Summer is in 3 months. I gotta have that Summer body back". Trust me, I am no exception. But it does make this pursuit of the-super-kick-ass-summer-body harder when you're living in NYC. Spring is the official season when the city is literally filled with exquisite food, from the food trucks in SoHo to the pop-up food vendors at Brooklyn Flee to the annual food festival at Madison Square Garden, and many, many more. Everywhere you go, there's always delicious food that will make you drool, waiting to be savored. So without further due, here is the first of many drools coming your way.

Madison Square Eats

May 3 - 31, 2013 | Open Daily 11AM - 9PM

The dynamic duo, the misfits of mayhem, the Lewis and Clark of Saturday afternoons. Pizza and beer are two entirely separate items that are entirely inseparable, the ultimate combination to cure fatigue after hard day at work.

And then there's the east meet west fusion food, from Japanese style hot dogs to Korean style tacos. Are you drooling yet? Well I am.

And of course the meal won't be complete without desserts. Not to worry, Madison Square Eats has all the savory goodness that will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth of yours. Just look at those cannolis; those sweet, sweet cannolis; also those heavenly whoopie pies that will delightfully melt in your mouth.

So yes, Summer is indeed 3 months away. And yes, I do want that kick-ass Summer body. But honestly, with all these temptations and my appetite? I rest my case.

Cheers!

Jessica

*Photos are not mine! Camera's broken - ugh.