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Feedback: Papering over a problem

30 April 2014

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

(Image: Paul McDevitt)

Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more

Papering over a problem…

INCREDULITY was several readers’ response to the estimate in our special on materialism that US residents each use 1.3 million sheets of toilet paper during their lives (29 March, p 36). James Ferguson found the figure “incredible” and, at the risk of providing too much information, estimates his personal use at a maximum of 20 sheets a day, not the 46 on which the calculation was based.

Manek Dubash is even more frugal. “Can’t make my calculated…

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