What's interesting is that Cows are actually bacteria factories. They eat the grass and then ferment it. What they actually digest is the dead bacteria. That's what gives it the fats and proteins it needs to get so big!
On that note… no not farts but bacteria… how much of the bacteria in our guts is actually digested and absorbed by us? I guess I always think about it just being the food we eat, broken down with the help of bacteria, but how much nutrition actually comes from the bacteria?
Great question. I will try to answer it fairly soon. The current idea is that I want to do another one of these, but only focus on the gut bacteria. I want to tackle this, among a few other questions.
I love learning new words, so thank you for teaching me about the gastric sludge known as chyme. The thing about chyme is that it sounds like an app that some tech bro looking for a billion would create.
Now there's the classic Andrew "poop" article we all know and love!
Although I can't help but feel that this one could've benefitted from a Nolan-esque loop closing. The last line of the post, after diving into the mechanics and composition of poop, should've come full-circle to: "Eat something right now. Go ahead—I won’t judge!"
Good point, although I kinda circled back at the end... but yes, this was a huge missed opportunity to layer a secondary story that goes backwards or eats its own tail. In the same way that LLMs can encode detectable language patters, I can weave a secret story into my story, where every nineteenth letter are the only ones that matter.
I was thinking about poop a couple days ago, Andrew, and of course, I thought of you.....I'm serious. Little did I know this was dropping! My in-head question was its color. I kinda get what makes pee yellow....nitrates, nutrients, water (or lack of, as I have to make sure I'm hydrated, and watch for the lightest-yellow pee I can muster).
But, what exactly makes poop the particular brown color (of various shades, granted) it is? I'm hip to the why....I'm sure it has to do with the bacteria, and everything you described, but why brown, as opposed to blue, green, ochre or burnt sienna?
How cool to feel safe in asking someone on the ‘net about this! You’ve cultivated quite a unique space for the quizzical! Feel good about that. When I think of #MusicStack, there are just a couple to a few who have really carved out a singularly unique lane that is both informed and informative.
Thanks, Brad! I am doing my best to keep learning, and encouraging others to learn too. I love the curiosity here, and you are a part of that story too. Keep 'em coming!
What's interesting is that Cows are actually bacteria factories. They eat the grass and then ferment it. What they actually digest is the dead bacteria. That's what gives it the fats and proteins it needs to get so big!
That's kinda what our poop is too, at least to a very large degree. I love thinking about that! Also: you can bet I'm gonna write about farts soon.
On that note… no not farts but bacteria… how much of the bacteria in our guts is actually digested and absorbed by us? I guess I always think about it just being the food we eat, broken down with the help of bacteria, but how much nutrition actually comes from the bacteria?
Great question. I will try to answer it fairly soon. The current idea is that I want to do another one of these, but only focus on the gut bacteria. I want to tackle this, among a few other questions.
I love learning new words, so thank you for teaching me about the gastric sludge known as chyme. The thing about chyme is that it sounds like an app that some tech bro looking for a billion would create.
I promise to keep sneaking etymology in there!
I think Chyme could replace "Chad" as a loathed bro-name. I know a Chad and he's a good human!
Chet! Random weird science reference
RIP Bill Paxton! Incredible role.
Now there's the classic Andrew "poop" article we all know and love!
Although I can't help but feel that this one could've benefitted from a Nolan-esque loop closing. The last line of the post, after diving into the mechanics and composition of poop, should've come full-circle to: "Eat something right now. Go ahead—I won’t judge!"
Missed opportunity.
Good point, although I kinda circled back at the end... but yes, this was a huge missed opportunity to layer a secondary story that goes backwards or eats its own tail. In the same way that LLMs can encode detectable language patters, I can weave a secret story into my story, where every nineteenth letter are the only ones that matter.
It's a story about the circle of life, poop, and everything. You can read it indefinitely...or at least until you have to run and poop. Brilliant.
I was thinking about poop a couple days ago, Andrew, and of course, I thought of you.....I'm serious. Little did I know this was dropping! My in-head question was its color. I kinda get what makes pee yellow....nitrates, nutrients, water (or lack of, as I have to make sure I'm hydrated, and watch for the lightest-yellow pee I can muster).
But, what exactly makes poop the particular brown color (of various shades, granted) it is? I'm hip to the why....I'm sure it has to do with the bacteria, and everything you described, but why brown, as opposed to blue, green, ochre or burnt sienna?
I love so much about this comment, Brad. First, thank you for considering me for your poop information needs!
Second, what a cool question. I'll give this one some thought and write something about it! I will be sure to tag you.
How cool to feel safe in asking someone on the ‘net about this! You’ve cultivated quite a unique space for the quizzical! Feel good about that. When I think of #MusicStack, there are just a couple to a few who have really carved out a singularly unique lane that is both informed and informative.
So, thank you, Andrew.
Thanks, Brad! I am doing my best to keep learning, and encouraging others to learn too. I love the curiosity here, and you are a part of that story too. Keep 'em coming!
TUMs ... I stuff my pockets with them when I go on long rides. After about 30 miles they keep the cramps away, riddle me that!
Sounds like you've got a little fermentation going on in there! Don't drink the booze, though.
You had me at "poop".
Sadly, that's not what she said. :(
A bedtime favorite for my boys was “Everybody Poops” followed closely by “The Story of Farts”—classics.
Story of Farts is a new one for me! Nice.
My dogs pooping habits dictate entirely too much of my day