Within the context of the sentence, the only subject previously mentioned in the sentence that 'them' could refer to is enzymes. Yes bringing in external assumed context we can deduce it's talking about plastics, but OP is clearly critiquing the sentence as written.
Also I'd suggest avoiding cheap snark like that, even when you're actually right it's still not a good look.
As vanderZwan said, I was not being snarky. This was a funny reference (which led another commenter deemed worthy of "HN Gold"—if such a thing existed) to the popular movie The Graduate. I'm sorry if it came across as snark to those unfamiliar with the quote. Based on the upvotes (currently 30, never negative), I'd say most folks got it.
Just to be clear, I had the exact same confusion that 0xTJ had about the referent of "them" in the sentence. If 0xTJ hadn't commented already, I might have made a similar comment myself! I see the title has been changed, although honestly I find the new title rather opaque.
Comments
Within the context of the sentence, the only subject previously mentioned in the sentence that 'them' could refer to is enzymes. Yes bringing in external assumed context we can deduce it's talking about plastics, but OP is clearly critiquing the sentence as written.
Also I'd suggest avoiding cheap snark like that, even when you're actually right it's still not a good look.
It's not snark, it's a humorous reference to a very famous movie scene[0] that later became even more famous due to being quoted in Civilization IV[1]
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaCHH5D74Fs
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPur5HzHLhM&t=9m5s
As vanderZwan said, I was not being snarky. This was a funny reference (which led another commenter deemed worthy of "HN Gold"—if such a thing existed) to the popular movie The Graduate. I'm sorry if it came across as snark to those unfamiliar with the quote. Based on the upvotes (currently 30, never negative), I'd say most folks got it.
Just to be clear, I had the exact same confusion that 0xTJ had about the referent of "them" in the sentence. If 0xTJ hadn't commented already, I might have made a similar comment myself! I see the title has been changed, although honestly I find the new title rather opaque.