Thomas Seay wrote:

> I am wondering if after finding a
> diet that is generally good for you, if it might not
> be a good idea to just stick with that and not spend
> all of your time chasing after the dream of the
> perfect (down to the last detail) diet.

Doesn't work like that, at least for me.  Last year's
"perfect" or even "good" diet doesn't work this year.
It's a moving target.

> One might also wonder what effect, if any, this
> fastidiousness towards diet has on your social life,
> and if that harm might be greater than the benefit of
> "the perfect diet".

If your friends shun you because you don't eat chocolate
chip cookies with them, you need new friends :-)
There is no reason for your diet to affect your social life.

> Finally, one might wonder if there is not something a
> bit pathological in it all.  Are people seeking a cure
> from diet for a problem whose true etiology might be
> in a completely different area, be it personal,
> psychological, or social?

Yes, that is sometimes the case, and something to watch
out for.  I would add to your list: physical/medical.
While food always has an effect on illness, it is not
the sole or main cause for many illnesses.

It is well known in "dieting" circles that people think
as soon as they lose that weight, all their other problems
will vanish.  Whereas, if they do work on their other
problems (social/personal/psychological), it can help to
release the weight.

An old verse is apropos here (insert your favorite
paleo foods, but they won't rhyme):

"Better kippers and beer with joy and cheer,
"than water and bread with fear and dread."

    Lynnet