I think it’s a universal experience to dread clearing your inbox of emails filled with coupons and ads for yet another sale.
While my personal email is bogged down with temptations to buy something else, my work email is overloaded with messages from public relations firms hoping I’ll write a story about a specific product.
They generally try to pull you in with a shocking data point that emphasizes the importance of the product or company they are advertising.
Given that this is the goal, I’m going to go out on a limb in saying that I don’t think there is a ton of scientific reliability to the “facts” that litter the subject lines of my inbox.
Aside from questionable data-gathering methods, most of the story pitches have little to no relevance to my job at the Journal-Tribune.
Still, I do like to skim through them purely for entertainment value.
I thought I’d share a couple subject lines I’ve received recently so you can also decide if you’d be swayed to write a story.
– “Research reveals well-done steak is a deal breaker for many Ohioans.”
According to a study from food processing company JBS USA, 56% of respondents in Ohio claim they wouldn’t date someone who liked their steak prepared in a different way than they did.
Maybe I just don’t value steak as much as most Ohioans allegedly do, but I think this is a bit outrageous.
Of all the things you consider in a romantic partner, there is just no way that a different cooking preference would crumble an otherwise good relationship.
My skepticism toward this percentage is amplified by another claim JBS USA makes.
Its data shows that the favorite beef dish in America was a three-way tie between Korean Bulgogi, Russian stroganoff and Philly cheesesteaks.
All of these are surely very tasty meals but I feel like the data has to be at least a bit skewed for the first thing that comes to steak-loving people’s minds to be Korean Bulgogi.
– “Hocking Hills State Park voted America’s 182nd favorite landmark.”
This ranking is provided by Aqua Expeditions, which touts itself as “a recognized global leader in luxury small-ship expeditions.”
I don’t know anything about the company or small-ship expeditions, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and choose to trust their ranking for Hocking Hills.
I’m not necessarily questioning whether that’s an appropriate position for Hocking Hills, I just don’t think falling 182nd on any list is super impressive.
If you’re wondering, their data indicates the number one natural landmark Americans would most like to visit is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ranks all the way down at sixth, by the way, so perhaps there is room to question accuracy too.
– “The average Ohioan experiences peak life satisfaction at age 43, reveals study.”
Now this is one survey I actually feel inclined to believe.
The data was collected by Mixbook, “a technology platform that powers storytelling with photo books,” so I’m not sure exactly why they are invested in this research, but the explanation makes a lot of sense.
Apparently, by 43, many Ohioans had families, an established career, a stable home and “a decent income which they can spend on little luxuries.”
I have not yet reached that age but I’d definitely be curious to know which age some of the older and wise folks in our community felt was the most satisfying period of their lives, and if they feel 43 is about right.
– “Ohio’s Buckeyes are a ‘gateway food to obesity,’ finds study.”
I just think this entire bit of research from DrugGenius.com is a bit of a stretch.
Apparently 27% of Ohioans “admit that eating just one sweet treat, such as the local Buckeyes, acts as a trigger which leads them onto a spell of unhealthy eating.”
I don’t really feel like it was necessary to conduct research (no matter how loosely we’re using that term) to confirm the saying “bet you can’t eat just one.”
Beyond that, calling anything a “gateway food to obesity” is pretty bold.
So, no matter the supposed risk, you better believe I’m going to keep eating a Buckeye for good luck on game days.
-Kayleen Petrovia is a reporter for the Journal-Tribune.