Last week's Questions In Need of Answers went well, so we decided to try it again this week. Rather than Google for these answers, we put them to the neatoramanaut community. Because you guys are way smarter than Google's algorithms, right?
1. My wife and I have rats living in our garage, which was built in 1924 and has holes throughout it. Other than implodin the garage and building a new one, what's the best way to keep these guys out? There are a couple outdoor cats already living around the neighborhood, who often visit our yard, fyi. We don't ever see the rats, but we find their feces in the dark corners often.
2. We're thinking about going organic, mostly for our son's sake. We've heard all kinds of arguments for and "against." What say you? Worth the extra money? Why? What's been your experience?
3. Anyone watching the new Netflix original series, Orange is the New Black, based on Piper Kerman's memoir? We need a new show but have heard mixed reviews about it. In general, we love what Netflix is up to, though, so willing to give it a go just based on their other recent originals.
Image via environmentalgraffiti.com.
Organic food is not healthier. Organic farmers still use pesticides. They are just natural pesticides, however just because they are natural, it doesn't mean that they are less damaging to your health, and are still often poisonous. Natural poisons are still poisons. Arguing that something is better because it is natural is an example of the naturalistic fallacy. There is also no compelling body of research to suggest that organic foods are more healthful. In fact most of the research suggests there is no substantial difference in nutrition.
Organic food is not more environmentally friendly. Natural pesticides are usually far less effective than synthetic, targeted pesticides and as a result, they have to use far more of it to achieve adequate protection, which leads to higher levels of environmental contamination. Organic crops also produce a lower yield, and so require more land, time, water, fuel, and other recourses to produce the same quantity of equivalent non-organic foods.
Organic food does not taste better. The current scientific consensus based on the literature of double-blinded taste tests of organic vs. non-organic foods suggests that in the majority of cases, neither humans nor animals are able tell the difference between organic and non-organic fruit and veg. Sure there are plenty of people here who will offer anecdotes to the contrary, however they are just that - anecdotes. Anecdotes which are subjective to confirmation bias, and which do not hold true when the appropriate controls are in place.
If you want better tasting fruit and vegetables that support local, independent farmers, buy fresher fruit and vegetables produced by local, independent farmers.