I am unsure about the other countries, but US tapwater (even well water) is very likely unsafe to drink unfiltered in many areas.
e.g. PFAS contamination is prolific and remediation is only beginning — very few chemicals are monitored or are able to be monitored.
https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/pfas_contamination/map/
The human body is able to produce strong teeth and enamel unassisted, our diets and habits do the damage. The body is unable to repair the damaged enamel without topical solutions.
If you have a young child where topical fluoride is unadvised, consider nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, especially if they know how to spit out. I like Fygg's brand, it's made by dentists and the studies are promising. nano-HAp remineralization is less resistant to acid, so please consider fluoride as soon as possible.
As always, consult with a dentist and get their advice before doing anything with your children's teeth — including having regular check-ups with them.
Maintaining systemic fluoride during development does seem attractive to develop tooth structure that is more resistant to acid throughout. However, I believe establishing and maintaining consistent care with dentists and developing solid oral health routines and diet practices, as early in life as possible, are all necessary steps to take and are more than sufficient.
Enamel damage and tooth decay doesn't magically happen, and education lasts for a lifetime.
Why do that when you can get prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste from your dentist if you are concerned about your teeth? Your dentist will be able to tell if you need it or not. You could also look into varnishes and having custom trays made for your teeth that you leave in overnight to remineralize.
Even regular OTC toothpaste is sufficient with proper application, a proper oral care regiment, and regular interventions from the dentist (e.g. cleanings every 6 months).
Fluoride's remineralization benefits are topical. Brush, spit excess, and leave toothpaste on 30 minutes before rinsing. Do not drink or eat anything during that period.
Brush as directed, but at least two times a day. Proper flossing is critical as well. Do not leave acids on your teeth without rinsing with water and do not let plaque develop and stay on your teeth for extended periods, otherwise it hardens into tartar and can't be removed at home.
Obviously certain foods are better for your teeth than others. Grazing/snacking habits can potentially harm your teeth as well. Xylitol mints are a good thing to have during periods where you can't brush. I suggest rinsing with water after consuming food, and especially rinsing after consuming acidic or sugary drinks, no matter where you are.
Libertarianism, not liberalism, is the opposite of authoritarianism. I'm not referring to the right-wing, capitalist ideology.
See the political compass for a way to visualize political ideologies. Liberals rest in between libertarianism and authoritarianism, usually in the center, but I'd say they generally lean towards authoritarianism more than you would think.
Taking back our power is necessary and urgent, especially here in the US. Apathy is the recipe for our suffering. We can raise awareness so the problems we face don't bite us. Your disbelief is valid, but I am holding out hope that things will quickly start making sense.
You mentioned scarcity, so I chimed in. I am going to stand resolute because I don't want to see humanity devolve. I am going to stand in my power and encourage everybody I interact with to do the same. Doesn't mean they have to agree or listen.
For my friends here in the US, the current state of affairs cannot continue or we will lose all of our rights and very quickly this leadership will drive us off the cliff while they play chicken.
Thanks for responding, sorry that it wasn't entirely relevant.
I've been through some pretty rough experiences too by most people's measurements. No harsh judgement here, everybody is free to feel however they wish as far as I am concerned. I empathize and understand.
You too, though I can't say it isn't disappointing that you've seemingly given up on the world.
I don’t have the energy to try and explain current events, capitalism, history and physics to you.
I understand current events, capitalism, and history better than most. Physics doesn't relate to our conversation because I am not suggesting or advocating for infinite growth.
I suggest that you engage with your home instance slrpnk.net with your views for more stimulating conversation and discourse and browse the community and expose yourself to the movement with an open mind. There is plenty of activity on /r/solarpunk, as well.
Prepare yourself for the worst, hope for the best, and lower your expectations a bit because you’re definitely going to be disappointed.
I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm not preparing myself for the worst or "lowering my expectations". We either commit collective suicide and devolve into barbarism and scarcity or we choose a different path that is more desirable.
Late stage capitalism, fascism [...] and ww3 is currently in the process of kicking off.
If one doesn't believe a revolution or significant change isn't imminent and necessary (within the next 5 years), they aren't paying attention or they are not informed. I don't care what your ideology is (and how capitalist you are) — comprehensive action and change, specifically solutions, need to manifest soon.
WW3 can fuck right off, it takes soldiers and willing participants to fight. We had massive desertion in the Vietnam War, I reckon that if the world was able to focus just for a second on common dreads and our shared reality, we'd identify that we can't afford to continue the current world order and state of affairs and discontinue hostile actions.
War is a wet dream for the capitalists at the very top of the food chain, who are likely frightened that they no longer can maintain their power without it.
resource depletion
Resource depletion implies that we continue our state of affairs — with our reliance on fossil fuels and other non-renewable materials, at a large and very wasteful scale.
Infinite growth on a finite world is fundamentally unsustainable. We are blasting through tipping points and heat records daily now and the world is still fundamentally reliant on fossil fuels, despite how fast ‘renewable resources’ are developing.
Scaling vertical farms, renewable energy, and energy storage (that doesn't use rare earth materials) are not crazy suggestions. We can build high speed rail powered by renewables, that carries freight and also passengers. We can develop sustainable economies of scale and rethink the global economy.
Our planet can support humanity and every living being on it for the foreseeable future if we take action.
climate collapse
We can mitigate effects of the climate collapse by moving our agriculture indoors and growing food where it's natural, rational, and sustainable to do so — in addition to exploring new soil and agricultural practices. We can leverage GMO technology sustainably and keep it in balance with the environment.
We can encourage degrowth and decentralization. We can centralize where it makes sense (with all of our centralization being designed to be sustainable and self-sufficient). We will already have to move many cities for various reasons, we are positioned to make development make sense instead of creating urban, ecosystem-disrupting, concrete and asphalt hellholes.
We can build our houses better and refit houses to better withstand climate effects, without expending a ton of energy to do so.
I get that people want hope, but believing in entropy defying magic that will rewrite physics and human nature and save us all from ourselves at the last second… is naive at best and actively harmful at worst.
You don't need entropy defying magic to address the current world system and the many crises we are facing. I believe it's undesirable to advocate doom and worst-case scenarios without considering what is in our power and advocating for it.
I don't believe human nature is inherently violent or greedy. I believe our system elevates and enables people with these character traits — we need to rethink it and the power they have over others.
We need to shift our collective mindset from lack and survival in imbalance (and in a sea of abundance), to thriving in balance with nature.
but maybe think twice before having kids.
People already aren't having kids at the rate that they once were, global birth rate is on the decline year after year, and fertility is down by a lot for a lot of reasons.
I disagree with your assertions that humans are intrinsically violent and that all change requires violence. Your perspectives are valid though, thanks for responding.
Agreed.