Why we love electronic gear

People throng to Gitex and snap up Apple products because ever-better gadgets symbolise hope, a reader says. Other letter topics: pain-killers, Qaddafi's mattress, video calling, barefoot running and veganism.

One reason we love consumer electronic gadgets like these at Gitex, a reader suggests, is that they are one part of life where improvement is constant and evident. Duncan Chard / The National

With regard to Warning issued for over-the-counter drugs (October 9), I think that perhaps the root of the problem is that people are taking too much of the medications listed, because they know that pain relief is very restricted here.

Some medical staff worry that there is too much concern over patients becoming addicted to stronger pain meds, therefore they don't prescribe them.

I know first hand. I had two tumours requiring a five-hour surgery, only to be given Paracetemol in post-op.

If you really want to address the problem of people taking too much OTC pain meds, look at the whole problem.

Melanie Lefebvre, RAK

As nearly barefoot as possible is best

I read with interest your story Hit the ground running: barefeet running and its alternatives (October 10).

Fivefingers, the product mentioned, have enough padding under the heel and ball of the foot that they reduce the "barefoot feel" so that many runners don't get the feedback they need to adjust their form to proper barefoot style.

Ultimately, the change to minimalist footwear or barefoot is about form not footwear. The footwear (or lack thereof) is about helping you change your form ... and you want as much feedback as possible, with just enough protection to be comfortable.

Steven Sashen, US

High-tech gadgets are a form of hope

Your editorial Obsolete magic (October 10) definitely struck a chord with me.

I have a dresser drawer full of old electronic gadgets - phones, modems, plugs and cords and even an external floppy-disc reader - and yet I still can't wait to get to Gitex and see what's new this year.

Here's one reason why: in many ways the human race is not progressing - wars, pollution, cruelty are still as bad as ever, maybe worse.

But when it comes to what you call "those shiny little boxes of magic" each year brings new marvels. What this stuff really delivers is a renewal of optimism.

Gerard Gravel, Abu Dhabi

Rich dictator had small mattress

I was struck by the picture on page one of The National (October 10) of rebel soldiers rifling through the belongings in a bedroom of Col Muammar Qaddafi's palace.

One of the interesting things about it was that it showed clearly that the canopied bed had two single mattresses.

With all his stolen wealth, couldn't he afford a king-size mattress?

Ahmed Ebadi, Dubai

Let's catch up on video calling

In the story Video calls coming, at a price (October 10) I liked the first half of the headline better than the second half.

For years, as I understand, voice- and video-over-internet services such as Skype have been forbidden in this country, not for any security reason but rather to protect revenues for telecom companies here.

This sort of narrow protectionism is not what we need to build the UAE into a modern, "wired" society.

Instead of spending energy finding ways to charge for what the rest of the world gets for free, the telecom companies should find ways to do something new - and profitable.

Name withheld by request

Unbuilt homes save on emissions

Your story Dubai to cut 1.7m tonnes of carbon (October 9) makes me think of all the carbon emissions they are saving by developers not building all the properties investors have paid for.

A Wright, UK

Not convinced by vegan daughter

My university-age daughter declared a year ago that she would be a vegan, so I read your report on the subject (Change your life, October 10) with great interest.

Personally I subscribe to the old Texan saying "Vegetables aren't food. Vegetables are what food eats."

The rest of our family did not change its eating habits but my daughter stuck to her resolve and has learnt to cook in the process. One or two of her vegan dishes are even edible.

But I believe that mankind has always depended on meat, as well as other fare, and should keep eating that way.

My daughter insists she's now healthier than the rest of us, but I suspect that she sneaks a fast-food cheeseburger once in a while.

Tex Lockhart, Abu Dhabi