PENICILLIN, et al. +
We all should know the history of antibiotics, like penicillin. Briefly, a special group of molds were found to kill certain bacterias. Wonderful! We can now have safer surgeries and recover faster from bacterial infections. Be careful with antibiotics, though. Read and follow ALL instructions. If you don’t you could make the sickening bacteria immune to the cure. Don’t stop taking your pills (or elixir) when you begin to feel better. (That is just ignorant.)
Do you know the history of Wegovi and other GLP-1 weight loss drugs? Well, this goes back a bit. Medical scientists found long ago that a certain peptide had potential for diabetic patients, but our human physiology tended to break it down in mere minutes. Searching around, they found other similar peptides which lasted much longer in the body and they created an early shot for Type 2 diabetics which slowed digestion and controlled their blood sugars for days at a time. One side effect was weight loss. Nice!
But scientists are seldom satisfied with good. They want MORE. So they found an animal venom which had peptides that humans had trouble breaking down. The Gila Monster venom fit the bill. A side effect of a long-lasting venom is upset stomach, headaches, intestinal discomforts, and general malaise. That’s what you get with GLP-1 drugs. (Not everyone, but a significant number). The good news is that it helps to control Type 2 diabetes and promotes weight loss. So now you know why it feels so bad … they are injecting you with synthesized Gila Monster venom. They still don’t know why it changes how the brain works (it can), or why people on them become strongly attached to certain perfumes (some do).
Changing the subject a bit … why does ice cream usually list “Xanthan gum” as an ingredient? Well, that “gum” comes from a bacteria that grows on broccoli and cauliflower. It isn’t harmful and they don’t use much. However, you can thank them for using it. (By the way, some coffee products include pond scum to reduce the bitterness and promote weight control.) What does “Xanthan gum” do for YOU? Well, the ice cream maker can reduce the number of calories per bowl by replacing milk fat with this. The gum makes the ice cream feel “creamy and smooth” to the tongue. You can also thank it for reducing those annoying ice crystals from forming when the product has been sitting in freezers for longer than a few days. It also reduces the cost of the product. Four nice benefits from dried broccoli bacteria. On the other hand, look for “Cellulose gum” on labels (like grated Parmesan cheese) and limit how much you ingest. Cellulose gum is powdered trees. It has no calories and has a low production cost, but YOU can’t digest it. Too much will give you temporary intestinal issues (the reason they make Pepto-Bismol and sing that song).
ZIPPER MERGES
Studies show that the fastest way to clear a congested repair zone with a lane that is ending is the “zipper merge.” While that is ~ true it is also false. True in that it moves more vehicles through the construction zone. False in that it works poorly with lots of frustration to conscientious drivers. I suspect the studies merely counted vehicles that made it through, not how long those who stayed in the thru lane had to wait. People who played by the rules seem to lose in these situations. There are several problems with the zipper system which, I believe, could be resolved in part with laws and signs.
The first issue is that the speed of opposing zippering cars is not conducive to safe merges. Solution: Speed limits for both lanes. Where either lane is basically STOPPED or significantly slower, the faster lane must reduce speed to no more than 20 mph faster. This allows vehicles to more safely exit and enter the lanes.
The second issue is that remaining space before safe zippering is seldom shown in signage. Each construction zone has different signage. There should be a small sign below the “merge” sign that displays “miles (or tenths of miles) to merge zone.” The speed limit in that zone should be greatly reduced for safety.
Third, in addition to the above there should be “merge NOW” signage at the point where merging is encouraged. This would be an area (appropriate to the amount of traffic the zipper must funnel) that would tell both those in the continuing lane and those wishing to merge when they are running out of room. Forget zippering until reaching this area. Furthermore, there should be yellow blinking lights every tenth of a mile in this zipper zone to make the zone more pronounced for the drivers. (Two lights at the end of the zone). Anyone proceeding past the zipper zone in the ending lane should receive a ticket in the mail (camera system).
Fourth, some drivers are greedy. It should be illegal for more than one merging vehicle to enter the thru lane between two vehicles already on the thru lane. I’ve seen more than three take advantage of careful drivers. The result is major back ups. That’s not a zipper, that’s a button.
Fifth, the real problem is that few understand the “rules of engagement.” Greed, Speed, and Need all play a part. Some drivers do not behave and they ruin the fun for everyone else. The speeds of the fast lane can be 50 mph greater than the slow lane. Then there are those who have a felt need of safety but they are irritated by the rudeness of other drivers. It is a set up for disaster. (And I’ve seen the results, too.)
I don’t think I’ll ever think of the zipper merge as my friend. It is a necessary evil and it is employed far too often.
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
See more GUEST POSTS from Don
Comments