Feelgood factor of human interaction | Brief letters

Re your report (‘Pull the plug’: protesters resort to direct action against AI firms, 6 October), the US neuroscientist Ben Rein has shown that there is a fundamental difference in our cognitive response according to the type of interaction we have. In-person meetings and conversations show a dramatic increase in serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine – “feelgood” hormones – compared with online interactions.

I have been encouraged to speak to people at bus stops. Judith Furner Eastbourne, East Sussex • Re easing winter fuel costs (Report, 6 October), it would benefit everyone if the outrageous daily standing charges were reduced or on a sliding scale based on usage.

I can’t be the only person whose standing charges each month are half or more than the energy used. Judith Pearson Sheffield • To your tautology anthology (Letters, 5 October) should be added this sign at a farm shop in the Vale of Evesham: “Large drive-in car park.” Paul Gelling Prenton, Merseyside • Far worse than being called “young lady” (Letters, 7 October) is the ubiquitous use of “guys” in the hospitality industry.

Stop it. Megan Parry Wallingford, Oxfordshire • At 91, I object to being addressed as “young man”, remembering that when I was actually a young man I was often called “old man”. Beverley Charles Rowe London • Irony corner: air pollution impairs F1 motor racing in Singapore (Report, 6 October).

Martin Datta Lincoln • Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.