BBC News: “Fidgeters ‘likely to be thinner’”. Shock: People who spend their whole time moving are using up energy. I once heard (probably on Dr Karl’s excellent science phone-in on Up All Night) that if you sit on a bench fidgeting for 24 hours you will use up as much energy as running a marathon.
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I am Duncan Stephen, based in Dundee but originally from Fife. I work as the Web Editor for the University of St Andrews. This is a personal blog.
My interests include motorsport and experimental / electronic music.
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Calum Leslie
6 June 2007 09:34
#1
It is possible to be overweight and an uncontrollable fidget, though; I am living proof.
Craig
6 June 2007 10:17
#2
I like these surveys that probably cost a fair whack of cash, and come up with a fairly obvious conclusion – move about more and use up more calories!
Surely these clever people would be better off trying to find a cure for cancer or something!
My favourite pointless study was a few years ago when a bunch of scientists spent ages trying to find out why cornflakes go soggy when you put milk on them – absolutely essential research I’m sure you’ll agree!
Simstim
6 June 2007 10:59
#3
Science (and social science in particular) has always had a losing hand relative to “common sense”. Confirm the common sense view and it’s “obvious and a waste of money”, contradict it and it’s “obviously untrue and a waste of money”.