You know what really bugs me a lot? The idea that if something makes you live slightly less long, it's morally irresponsible -- that the greatest goal you can have in all of life is to make sure you live as long as humanly possible.

Let's leave aside whether there's any connection with weight and longevity entirely. Why is that how we measure goodness and morality these days?

What about people who do extreme sports? Work in dangerous occupations^*? Enlist in the military?

Should we refuse to respect them? Should employers refuse to hire them? If a co-worker decides to try tackling Everest, should they be out of a job?

^* eeyorerin's contribution, via IM.