Why Your ER Doctor Doesn't Stitch You Up Like a Plastic Surgeon.
Content Idea 1: "Why Don't We Just Print More Money to Solve [Poverty/Debt/Economic Problems]?"
- Recurring Problem/Question Type: This is a common "ELI5" or "Why don't we just..." question where people propose a seemingly simple solution to a complex problem. Many genuinely wonder why this isn't a feasible option.
- Why it's a good/potentially viral idea:
- Relatability: Many people face financial struggles or hear about national debt and wonder about easy fixes.
- Demystification: It explains a core economic concept (inflation, value of currency) in an accessible way.
- Counter-intuitive Truth: The idea that more money doesn't equal more wealth can be a fascinating "aha!" moment for many.
- High Engagement Potential: It can spark discussions and debates.
- Target Audience:
- General public with an interest in current affairs or basic economics.
- Students learning about economics for the first time.
- Anyone who has ever wondered about this seemingly obvious "solution."
- Example Content Outline/Angle (e.g., for a short explainer video or blog post):
- Hook: Start with the common question: "If the government can print money, why don't they just print enough for everyone to be rich / pay off all debts?"
- Simple Analogy:
- Imagine a small island with 10 people and 10 apples. Each apple is worth $1.
- Now, everyone magically gets $10 instead of $1, but there are still only 10 apples. What happens to the price of an apple? (It goes up to $10).
- This introduces the concept of value being tied to scarcity and production, not just the amount of currency.
- Introduce Inflation: Explain that printing more money without a corresponding increase in goods and services makes each dollar worth less (inflation).
- Real-World (Simplified) Examples: Briefly mention historical instances like Weimar Germany or Zimbabwe (without getting too academic, focus on the outcome: money became worthless).
- What Actually Creates Wealth: Shift to what truly builds a strong economy – production, innovation, skills, services, trade.
- Conclusion: While printing money seems like an easy fix, it actually devalues the money already in circulation, leading to more problems. True economic improvement comes from creating real value.
- Call to Action (Optional): "What other economic 'simple fixes' have you wondered about? Let us know in the comments!"
Content Idea 2: "What is [Complex Tech Term - e.g., 'The Cloud', 'AI', 'Blockchain', 'API'] Actually and Why Should I Care?"
- Recurring Problem/Question Type: Users frequently ask for explanations of ubiquitous but poorly understood technical terms ("X is what?", "ELI5..."). They hear these terms constantly but don't grasp the core concept or its relevance to them.
- Why it's a good/potentially viral idea:
- Ubiquity: These terms are everywhere, creating a large pool of confused or curious people.
- Empowerment: Understanding these terms makes people feel more tech-literate and less intimidated.
- Practical Relevance: Explaining the "why should I care" connects the abstract concept to everyday benefits or impacts.
- High Search Volume: People actively search for definitions and explanations of these terms.
- Target Audience:
- Non-technical individuals who interact with technology daily.
- Students or professionals in non-tech fields needing a basic understanding.
- Anyone curious about how modern technology works.
- Example Content Outline/Angle (e.g., for 'The Cloud'):
- Hook: "You hear 'The Cloud' everywhere – storing photos, streaming movies, work documents... but what is it? Is it actually in the sky?"
- Busting the Myth: No, it's not a literal cloud. It's just someone else's computers (lots of them, very powerful ones) that you access over the internet.
- Simple Analogy:
- Think of it like electricity. You don't have your own power plant at home; you plug into a giant grid.
- The Cloud is similar for data and computing power. Instead of storing everything on your phone/computer's limited hard drive, you use massive data centers.
- "Why Should I Care?" - The Benefits:
- Access Anywhere: Your files/services are available on any device with internet.
- Backup & Security (generally): Companies managing data centers often have better backup and security than an individual.
- Collaboration: Easy to share and work on things with others (e.g., Google Docs).
- Scalability: Services can handle many users without you needing to buy more hardware.
- Saves Space: Don't need to fill up your own device's storage.
- Examples People Use Daily: iCloud, Google Drive/Photos, Netflix, Spotify, Gmail, online banking.
- Conclusion: The Cloud is essentially a network of powerful remote servers that store data and run applications, making our digital lives more convenient and connected.
- Call to Action (Optional): "What other tech terms mystify you? Suggest our next ELI5!"
Content Idea 3: "Why is [Common Health/Nutrition Advice] So Confusing/Contradictory?" (e.g., fats, carbs, eggs, coffee)
- Recurring Problem/Question Type: Users express frustration and confusion over changing or conflicting advice on common health and diet topics ("I'm confused about...", "First they say X is good, then it's bad...").
- Why it's a good/potentially viral idea:
- Universal Relevance: Everyone eats and cares about their health.
- Addresses Frustration: Validates a common feeling and aims to provide clarity.
- Educational: Can explain the scientific process, how research evolves, and the nuance often lost in headlines.
- Trust Building: Providing balanced, evidence-based explanations can build authority.
- Target Audience:
- Health-conscious individuals.
- People confused by conflicting media reports on diet and nutrition.
- Anyone trying to make healthier choices.
- Example Content Outline/Angle (e.g., for Dietary Fats):
- Hook: "Remember when all fat was the enemy? Now some fats are 'good'? What's the deal? It's confusing!"
- Acknowledge the Confusion: Yes, nutrition advice, especially on fats, has evolved. This is normal as science learns more.
- The "Old" View (Simplified): Briefly explain the low-fat craze era and why it happened (e.g., initial links to heart disease, focus on total fat).
- The Nuance: Not All Fats Are Created Equal:
- "Bad" Fats: Trans fats (artificial, being phased out), and often, excessive saturated fats (though nuance exists here too). Explain why (e.g., impact on cholesterol, inflammation).
- "Good" Fats: Unsaturated fats (mono- and poly-). Explain why (e.g., heart health, brain function, vitamin absorption). Give examples (avocados, nuts, olive oil, fatty fish).
- Why Science "Changes Its Mind":
- Research is ongoing and iterative.
- Early studies might be limited; newer, larger, better-designed studies provide more clarity.
- Focus shifts (e.g., from total fat to types of fat).
- Media sensationalism can oversimplify or misrepresent findings.
- Current General Consensus (Keep it simple and actionable): Focus on whole foods, prioritize unsaturated fats, limit trans fats, and be mindful of saturated fat intake. Context (overall diet and lifestyle) matters more than demonizing single nutrients.
- Empowerment Message: It's okay to be confused. Seek reliable sources, focus on patterns not fads, and understand that "perfect" isn't the goal.
- Call to Action (Optional): "What nutrition topic confuses you the most? Let us know!"
Origin Reddit Post
r/nostupidquestions
How come not all doctors are taught to make incisions/stitches the way plastic surgeons do?
Posted by u/CostumeGirlie•06/10/2025
Is it because the way (to minimize scarring) plastic surgeons do takes longer or something like that?
Edit: Jeez, I thought this was No Stupid Questions. Some of you guys are just rude.
Top Comments
u/hopefulgin
I've seen people who have received staples after a thyroidectomy and wonder what on earth the surgeon was thinking. If ever there was an area to minimize scarring it would be the face/neck.
u/SSYe5
plastic surgeons are slower is one factor
u/Abridged-Escherichia
Plastics is a lot more complicated than just stitching. Every incision will lead to a scar, but that scar can be hidden in a natural wrinkle or barrier. Different geometries can be used for i
u/r_keel_esq
As I understand it, plastic was used in the medical context long before it was used to refer to the stuff we make Lego out of.
u/SomeIndependence6785
Yes plastic surgery makes their reputation and living off of hiding incisions and minimal scarring.
Trauma surgeons just need to fix what’s broken and get the skin to close, appearance is a
u/tangouniform2020
Very successful. Back of hand. Limited mobility and strength but better than before (SLAC) and no pain vs a 9 or 10.
u/CostumeGirlie
Thank you! This was the scientific answer I was looking for rather than people just being rude for asking a simple question
u/tangouniform2020
Forgot my hand. I had a PRC eight years ago and I sometimes have to find the scar to show it. But that was glue and immobilization.
u/mcsuicide
& if you don't like your scar you can go to a plastic surgeon to have a revision, sometimes insurance will even cover it
u/Existential_Racoon
I've got some fucked up scars because young me thought it was fun the be the most important patient in the ER/ICU/OR.
Fuck it, they saved my life and my leg. Handful of scars ain't no thin
u/SnooStrawberries620
And those folks, at least in my realm, ended up getting things revised by plastics a lot of the time.
u/AuriliaWestlake
It's because the Greek (think it's Greek, might be Latin, though) origin of the word 'plastic' means something like modeling (as in modeling clay) or sculpting/reshaping.
u/SnooStrawberries620
That’s pretty impressive - I haven’t actually witnessed the surgery for one of those! Scar in the back of the wrist? And I hope it was successful and helpful. That’s quite a procedure.
u/Forward_Netting
Hello, I'm a surgical registrar. There's lots of reasons that apply to different situations.
Firstly, when we can, we do close in the same way as plastic surgeons, however there's often more
u/FileDoesntExist
It also takes a lot of time to do on an individual basis AND a lot of extra practice. There's already a staggering amount of information to learn as a doctor. It's why there are specialists f
u/untetheredgrief
Why do they call it "plastic" surgery? When I was a little kid I always thought they were using actual plastics to put you back together.
u/Substantial-Pin-3833
A doctors job isn't to make you look nice. If he's trying to save your life the last thing he's going to do is leave you on the table so he can spend another 8 hours carefully stitching you
u/Only-Finish-3497
(Not an MD, married to one and have had a couple of surgeries now)
Scar minimization is not a non-issue either though. Scars can be painful and lead to mobility issues depending on where the
u/SnooStrawberries620
It’s actually a great question. I worked in hands and plastics for over a decade and scarring is everything when you are looking at micro-sized areas and especially with tendon involvement. I
u/forgotpassword_aga1n
It comes from the Greek meaning "can be shaped/molded". Sometimes they do actually use plastics, like silicone and glue.
u/tangouniform2020
My nose reconstruction took four hours and 42 itty bitty stitches. A ortho surgeon can’t afford that much time. They don’t deliberately do a “bad job”, they just do the best job possible. Als
u/No_Brief_9628
I was blessed with a good surgeon. My appendix ruptured a little over a week ago and he made two of the incisions along my tan lines so my bikini will cover it and the one through my belly bu
u/paleoMD
all are taught how to do subcuticular stitching, but it just takes longer and some surgeons opt for stapling, simple interrupted/mattresses since it is much faster
some areas may not be suit
u/thehomiemoth
One other factor is simply time and expertise.
Plastic surgeons have more of a vested interest to learn how to repair skin in an aesthetic way. It’s something they spend a lot of time doing.
u/aurevoirdignity
What’s best for your body’s healing and what’s best for your cosmetic appearance aren’t necessarily the same thing.