Chimps and Tools
These chimps seem very smart indeed. Especially the women. I guess I'm not surprised after all we have read this term about the intelligence of animals, and chimps in particular. I'm always fretting about eating meat, and ironically this made me feel better because it shows that meat eating is just a natural thing. It seems like so far, chimps haven't gotten caught up in neurotic guilt cycles.
Colossal Squid
I read an article in the New Yorker years ago about colossal sguid. Fishermen have been saying that they've seen them for years. Marine biologists scoffed at the idea and said the fishermen were just hallucinating, that this was merely the stuff of folklore like mermaids. When I read that article, they still hadn't caught one. In 2004 they finally did, and this is one is even bigger. Who knows, maybe mermaids are next...
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Week Twelve: Vaccination and Public Health
Parents' Roles in Immunization
The one thing that I really regret as a mom is not having more input for my kids' immunization schedule. I was at a stage in my life when I just blithely trusted the wisdom of western medicine. As a consequence, when the doctor suggested that we get some shots out of the way before we even left the hospital, I said "great". Both of my boys got a bunch of shots before they were four weeks old. The older one got shots preserved in mercury (thimersol). Thankfully, my kids have come through it all unscathed, but lots of kids don't. The wholesale assault on the babies' immune systems at such a young age is unnecessary and very damaging. So, obviously I am of the view that parents should play a very active role in immunization schedule. To that end, see generationrescue.org for a safe vaccination schedule.
Compulsory Vaccinations
I think this is such a tough issue. I think a lot of parents now just opt out of immunization without any real information on the risks and benefits. As a result, all kids are at risk, even immunized ones to some degree. I think that the institution of vaccination has gotten too out of touch with the real risks and the negative experiences of lots of kids and parents who have developed autism and other developmental problems as a result of vaccines. The medical establishment just wants everyone vaccinated, fast. The better approach is to change the schedule for vaccinations, so that kids are able to tolerate them. And, if kids have siblings who have developmental difficulties, they should be especially careful. But, I think the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks. Families should be able to opt out only if they have really educated themselves.
The one thing that I really regret as a mom is not having more input for my kids' immunization schedule. I was at a stage in my life when I just blithely trusted the wisdom of western medicine. As a consequence, when the doctor suggested that we get some shots out of the way before we even left the hospital, I said "great". Both of my boys got a bunch of shots before they were four weeks old. The older one got shots preserved in mercury (thimersol). Thankfully, my kids have come through it all unscathed, but lots of kids don't. The wholesale assault on the babies' immune systems at such a young age is unnecessary and very damaging. So, obviously I am of the view that parents should play a very active role in immunization schedule. To that end, see generationrescue.org for a safe vaccination schedule.
Compulsory Vaccinations
I think this is such a tough issue. I think a lot of parents now just opt out of immunization without any real information on the risks and benefits. As a result, all kids are at risk, even immunized ones to some degree. I think that the institution of vaccination has gotten too out of touch with the real risks and the negative experiences of lots of kids and parents who have developed autism and other developmental problems as a result of vaccines. The medical establishment just wants everyone vaccinated, fast. The better approach is to change the schedule for vaccinations, so that kids are able to tolerate them. And, if kids have siblings who have developmental difficulties, they should be especially careful. But, I think the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks. Families should be able to opt out only if they have really educated themselves.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Week Eleven: Forward
Global Crisis in Diet
I think my top priority would be for everyone to adopt Michael Pollan's idea: eat food, mostly plants, not too much. When I read that, my whole body smiled. I am beyond frustrated with misinformation on nutrition that is fed to the public as fact. It isn't just the food Kellogg's and Kraft Foods of this world that are to blame, though they do a lot to create false comfort to people that they are eating well. It comes from everywhere: sports enthusiasts, alternative health aficionados (for lack of a better word because they are in most cases self-appointed). I'm talking about extremism in any form: Atkins eaters, raw foodists, calorie restricters, etc. Everyone has a story to tell as to why their conception of the optimal human diets is correct. But, it just doesn't pass the common sense test. I can just see a grandma type hearing some of these ideas and scratching their heads. You eat what honey???
The only advice that makes sense to eat a moderate amount of unprocessed foods, as natural as you can afford. I suppose this is where you need resources, to make more of such food available in more remote areas, and to create systems for doing this that are environmentally sound.
Carbon Offsets:
I am in favor of carbon offsets because they draw people's attention to the issue of global warming and their direct relationship with it. There's a good article in the NY Times today about carbon offsets. Basically, it says that when people know the effect of their energy consumption, they use less. People are looking into how to best communicate enregy consumption and its effect to consumers in real time. I think carbon offsets aren't a panacea, but their a positive development.
Laughter as the Best Medicine:
I think laughter is right up there. Deeply fabulous food and sex are right there too. But all of these things are definitely good for our health, and probably much more beneficial than anything they sell in a drug store. Strongly Agree.
I think my top priority would be for everyone to adopt Michael Pollan's idea: eat food, mostly plants, not too much. When I read that, my whole body smiled. I am beyond frustrated with misinformation on nutrition that is fed to the public as fact. It isn't just the food Kellogg's and Kraft Foods of this world that are to blame, though they do a lot to create false comfort to people that they are eating well. It comes from everywhere: sports enthusiasts, alternative health aficionados (for lack of a better word because they are in most cases self-appointed). I'm talking about extremism in any form: Atkins eaters, raw foodists, calorie restricters, etc. Everyone has a story to tell as to why their conception of the optimal human diets is correct. But, it just doesn't pass the common sense test. I can just see a grandma type hearing some of these ideas and scratching their heads. You eat what honey???
The only advice that makes sense to eat a moderate amount of unprocessed foods, as natural as you can afford. I suppose this is where you need resources, to make more of such food available in more remote areas, and to create systems for doing this that are environmentally sound.
Carbon Offsets:
I am in favor of carbon offsets because they draw people's attention to the issue of global warming and their direct relationship with it. There's a good article in the NY Times today about carbon offsets. Basically, it says that when people know the effect of their energy consumption, they use less. People are looking into how to best communicate enregy consumption and its effect to consumers in real time. I think carbon offsets aren't a panacea, but their a positive development.
Laughter as the Best Medicine:
I think laughter is right up there. Deeply fabulous food and sex are right there too. But all of these things are definitely good for our health, and probably much more beneficial than anything they sell in a drug store. Strongly Agree.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Week Ten: Bison
Bison
I think the reintroduction of the bison is an inspiring idea because it represents a rare confluence of ecological and social ideals. It's horrifying what happened to the ecosystem in the plains states after the bison were nearly exterminated. The reintroduction would enable the recreation of a viable and natural relationship between and among the land, the creatures on it and humans. This is a rare thing. It will also likely benefit the tribes because it reestablishes an important element of their culture lost with the bison.
Breast Cancer Pill
I am quite skeptical on this one. It seems to me that the manufacturer is looking for a secondary market for a drug that has proven politically unwelcome. (Viagra was originally developed as a headache med, until lots of men taking it reported certain happy side effects, which was paydirt for the manufacturer. It's also very possible that the drug will not be effective in protecting against cancer. There have been countless cases where a drug works in mice but not in humans.
I think the reintroduction of the bison is an inspiring idea because it represents a rare confluence of ecological and social ideals. It's horrifying what happened to the ecosystem in the plains states after the bison were nearly exterminated. The reintroduction would enable the recreation of a viable and natural relationship between and among the land, the creatures on it and humans. This is a rare thing. It will also likely benefit the tribes because it reestablishes an important element of their culture lost with the bison.
Breast Cancer Pill
I am quite skeptical on this one. It seems to me that the manufacturer is looking for a secondary market for a drug that has proven politically unwelcome. (Viagra was originally developed as a headache med, until lots of men taking it reported certain happy side effects, which was paydirt for the manufacturer. It's also very possible that the drug will not be effective in protecting against cancer. There have been countless cases where a drug works in mice but not in humans.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Deep Ecology
Deep Ecology Platform
Deep ecology provides a fairly radical framework to analyze the relative position of humans on the planet. Basically, deep ecology requires that we view ourselves as just another species, not more important or less. It requires a radical shift in our moral reasoning to one where our survival and comfort is not of paramount importance, or even a primary consideration. I think it threatens American values more than any others, given our culture's belief that consumption is the key to a satisfying existence.
I think the platform is visionary, particularly given the fact that it was issued when the level of acceptance of a more ecological sensibility was in vogue. Its premises are readily acceptable to communities in Northern California, but I don't think people in middle America are likely to be sign on very quickly.
Ecosystems: Strong and Fragile
Ecosystems are strong and fragile. They show incredible resilience in being to adapt over time to changes. The problem is that rapid change to the environment, for example, threaten that underlying strength. Evolution of a species can take multiple generations, or thousands of years depending on which evolutionary biologists you believe. Similarly, evolution of a complex system like an ecosystem takes a long time. The rate of change in climate and in other aspects of our environment that is being caused by humans is so rapid that ecosystems are being undermined. Their delicate balance is being thrown into chaos. This, unfortunately causes a downward spiral causing more climate change.
Social Ecology
Social Ecology looks at the relationship between social institutions such as government and other cultural entities and the environment. It is only by analyzing both that meaningful improvement in our use of resources can occur. Clearly, at this point, social structures and the environment are on a collision course. Because of the materialist culture which dominates the whole world (west and east), we are consuming without any recognition of scarcity. Scarcity has even become a dirty word in lots of circles. It's all about abundance these days. Think big and get big.
Social ecology challenges social institutions to change the way we see the environment, and to make more sensible choices regarding the way we inhabit the world we live in. I think the idea is promising, but whether we have institutions that are amenable to any agenda other than one promoting consumption and the good life is questionable.
Deep ecology provides a fairly radical framework to analyze the relative position of humans on the planet. Basically, deep ecology requires that we view ourselves as just another species, not more important or less. It requires a radical shift in our moral reasoning to one where our survival and comfort is not of paramount importance, or even a primary consideration. I think it threatens American values more than any others, given our culture's belief that consumption is the key to a satisfying existence.
I think the platform is visionary, particularly given the fact that it was issued when the level of acceptance of a more ecological sensibility was in vogue. Its premises are readily acceptable to communities in Northern California, but I don't think people in middle America are likely to be sign on very quickly.
Ecosystems: Strong and Fragile
Ecosystems are strong and fragile. They show incredible resilience in being to adapt over time to changes. The problem is that rapid change to the environment, for example, threaten that underlying strength. Evolution of a species can take multiple generations, or thousands of years depending on which evolutionary biologists you believe. Similarly, evolution of a complex system like an ecosystem takes a long time. The rate of change in climate and in other aspects of our environment that is being caused by humans is so rapid that ecosystems are being undermined. Their delicate balance is being thrown into chaos. This, unfortunately causes a downward spiral causing more climate change.
Social Ecology
Social Ecology looks at the relationship between social institutions such as government and other cultural entities and the environment. It is only by analyzing both that meaningful improvement in our use of resources can occur. Clearly, at this point, social structures and the environment are on a collision course. Because of the materialist culture which dominates the whole world (west and east), we are consuming without any recognition of scarcity. Scarcity has even become a dirty word in lots of circles. It's all about abundance these days. Think big and get big.
Social ecology challenges social institutions to change the way we see the environment, and to make more sensible choices regarding the way we inhabit the world we live in. I think the idea is promising, but whether we have institutions that are amenable to any agenda other than one promoting consumption and the good life is questionable.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Weel Eight: Cell Biology HIV and AIDS
Western Approaches to AIDS
I think that the Western approach to AIDS has bought a lot of people a lot of time. The drugs available to treat HIV and AIDS are costly, both financially and to the general health of the patient. But they do seem to be working when they are available and that is an amazing thing. I think it's a tribute to social activism that the medical community mobilized and addressed the AIDS crisis in the relatively short time that it did.
Sadly, it's not perfect. It is extrememly expensive and too often unavailable. And, it makes people sick, degrading quality of life. The danger is that AIDS and HIV are dismissed as a thing of the past, and that better drugs and therapies aren't fast-tracked through the process of development and distribution. Too many people think that AIDS has been cured and the resultant lack of attention is scary.
Can TCM Strengthen the Immune System
I think it can. Qi gong and acupuncture can stimulate our immune response and ramp up our bodies' ability to fight disease. It should be made a part of cancer and HIV therapies. In one study involving cancer patients, the phagocytic rate, which is a measure of the immune function, increased in the the group practicing qi gong but decreased in the control group. So, there you have it...
The Deal that Saved the Whale
I think that the Deal that Saved the Whale is a wonderful accomplishment. Any conservation effort that can meet the financial needs of indigenous populations while also conserving the environment is ideal. But, the scary part of the article is how much development on the Baja peninsula is taking place, and what the effects of that are almost certainly going to be.
I think that the Western approach to AIDS has bought a lot of people a lot of time. The drugs available to treat HIV and AIDS are costly, both financially and to the general health of the patient. But they do seem to be working when they are available and that is an amazing thing. I think it's a tribute to social activism that the medical community mobilized and addressed the AIDS crisis in the relatively short time that it did.
Sadly, it's not perfect. It is extrememly expensive and too often unavailable. And, it makes people sick, degrading quality of life. The danger is that AIDS and HIV are dismissed as a thing of the past, and that better drugs and therapies aren't fast-tracked through the process of development and distribution. Too many people think that AIDS has been cured and the resultant lack of attention is scary.
Can TCM Strengthen the Immune System
I think it can. Qi gong and acupuncture can stimulate our immune response and ramp up our bodies' ability to fight disease. It should be made a part of cancer and HIV therapies. In one study involving cancer patients, the phagocytic rate, which is a measure of the immune function, increased in the the group practicing qi gong but decreased in the control group. So, there you have it...
The Deal that Saved the Whale
I think that the Deal that Saved the Whale is a wonderful accomplishment. Any conservation effort that can meet the financial needs of indigenous populations while also conserving the environment is ideal. But, the scary part of the article is how much development on the Baja peninsula is taking place, and what the effects of that are almost certainly going to be.
Week Seven: Cell Biology and Cancer
Western Approaches to Cancer
I think the Western approach to Cancer is very unsophisticated. There are too many anomalies to believe that we have the whole story. Why do some patients survive when they are not expected to, and the other way around? It happens too much to create any faith in the western understanding of the disease.
It seems pretty clear that the environment is playing a role in cancer, and that there is some genetic component to it. But, why does it afflict some in a family and not others, or some in Chernobyl or Nagasaki and not others.
TCM and Cancer
I think the Chinese approach of recognizing the psycho-physiological connection holds the key. As we learned from the great presentation on the Biology of Belief, there is too much to ignore on this. The problem is that this type of inquiry seldom lends itself to generalization, and so the progress in dealing with the disease will be zig-zaggy.
Are We Still Evolving?
Hah! It's so typical of us to assume we are no longer evolving because we're perfect, right? I'm not surprised at all that there has been evolution in the last 10,000 years.
Of course not. The world keeps changing and so do we. I think it's interesting to look at the lactose-tolerant gene and that it developed in agrarian northern europe. It's cool that our bodies, over generations, update for new situations. I hope we don't need to adapt to excessive UV radiation, heat and swimming as global warming sets in...
I think the Western approach to Cancer is very unsophisticated. There are too many anomalies to believe that we have the whole story. Why do some patients survive when they are not expected to, and the other way around? It happens too much to create any faith in the western understanding of the disease.
It seems pretty clear that the environment is playing a role in cancer, and that there is some genetic component to it. But, why does it afflict some in a family and not others, or some in Chernobyl or Nagasaki and not others.
TCM and Cancer
I think the Chinese approach of recognizing the psycho-physiological connection holds the key. As we learned from the great presentation on the Biology of Belief, there is too much to ignore on this. The problem is that this type of inquiry seldom lends itself to generalization, and so the progress in dealing with the disease will be zig-zaggy.
Are We Still Evolving?
Hah! It's so typical of us to assume we are no longer evolving because we're perfect, right? I'm not surprised at all that there has been evolution in the last 10,000 years.
Of course not. The world keeps changing and so do we. I think it's interesting to look at the lactose-tolerant gene and that it developed in agrarian northern europe. It's cool that our bodies, over generations, update for new situations. I hope we don't need to adapt to excessive UV radiation, heat and swimming as global warming sets in...
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Week Six
Living and Non-Living Systems
This subject threatens to become very intense and arcane. I can't say I fully understand the autopoetic definition of living systems. I really don't understand the role of cognition in it. That being said, I'll just throw some thoughts out there.
It's hard to come up with a notion of a living system that is any smaller in scope than the whole earth, or maybe the whole universe. Living systems are supposed to be self-sustaining. But, nothing is really self sustaining. All creatures need to feed themselves, and so rely on being able to find food. When one species dies out, it threatens the rest of the food chain. So, are any of those systems self-sustaining? Also, we all need certain environmental conditions to survive. Global warming could threaten and/or destroy most of life on earth. So, does that make any of the species self sustaining? I don't think so. The concept of Gaia comes up for me, and the idea that the earth is an organic, living system. Perhaps it is self-sustaining, doing what it needs to do to we humans in order to ensure its survival.
Tools and Language in Chimps
I find this fascinating and exciting, but not all that surprising. We have learned over the years of complex social structures among lots of other species, and not just primates. Whales have complex communication systems, as do dolphin. And, it's not just mammals. Crows have complex communication systems. We are so species-centric that we are forever surprised by these revelations. In my opinion, humans are the ones who need to work on their language and communication. If we're so smart, why are the polar ice caps melting? Let's talk about that!!!
The other cool thing about chimps is that while the one is burrowing the hole, the others sit and watch and wait their turn! That only happens in Canada. Definitely not in New York. Why do we think we're so much more highly evolved?
Chinese Medicine Gaining Respectability in the West
What I find interesting about the mainstreaming of Chinese medicine is the way it's happening. It is a grass roots movement, driven by consumer demand because people witness its effectiveness. I love the fact that it is growing at break neck pace. I looked for statistics about the increase in demand, and couldn't find anything recent. But in 2002, 2.1 million people visited an acupuncturist, and by 2003 over 8 million people did. That's an unbelievable jump. I love it when people vote with their feet, and on the strength of their personal experience force change in the system. Now that mainstream press and medicine has noticed this surge in consumer demand, they are reluctantly trying to show up at the party. Acupuncture is part of the truth, and doesn't need to rely on hokey commercials aired during football games or prime-time soaps to sell it.
This subject threatens to become very intense and arcane. I can't say I fully understand the autopoetic definition of living systems. I really don't understand the role of cognition in it. That being said, I'll just throw some thoughts out there.
It's hard to come up with a notion of a living system that is any smaller in scope than the whole earth, or maybe the whole universe. Living systems are supposed to be self-sustaining. But, nothing is really self sustaining. All creatures need to feed themselves, and so rely on being able to find food. When one species dies out, it threatens the rest of the food chain. So, are any of those systems self-sustaining? Also, we all need certain environmental conditions to survive. Global warming could threaten and/or destroy most of life on earth. So, does that make any of the species self sustaining? I don't think so. The concept of Gaia comes up for me, and the idea that the earth is an organic, living system. Perhaps it is self-sustaining, doing what it needs to do to we humans in order to ensure its survival.
Tools and Language in Chimps
I find this fascinating and exciting, but not all that surprising. We have learned over the years of complex social structures among lots of other species, and not just primates. Whales have complex communication systems, as do dolphin. And, it's not just mammals. Crows have complex communication systems. We are so species-centric that we are forever surprised by these revelations. In my opinion, humans are the ones who need to work on their language and communication. If we're so smart, why are the polar ice caps melting? Let's talk about that!!!
The other cool thing about chimps is that while the one is burrowing the hole, the others sit and watch and wait their turn! That only happens in Canada. Definitely not in New York. Why do we think we're so much more highly evolved?
Chinese Medicine Gaining Respectability in the West
What I find interesting about the mainstreaming of Chinese medicine is the way it's happening. It is a grass roots movement, driven by consumer demand because people witness its effectiveness. I love the fact that it is growing at break neck pace. I looked for statistics about the increase in demand, and couldn't find anything recent. But in 2002, 2.1 million people visited an acupuncturist, and by 2003 over 8 million people did. That's an unbelievable jump. I love it when people vote with their feet, and on the strength of their personal experience force change in the system. Now that mainstream press and medicine has noticed this surge in consumer demand, they are reluctantly trying to show up at the party. Acupuncture is part of the truth, and doesn't need to rely on hokey commercials aired during football games or prime-time soaps to sell it.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Week Five
Diversification saving Species
Why haven't we learned from the banana or even the potato? I am mystified. Diversification is natural and necessary to ensure survival of various species. But, it's not particularly convenient for shorter term goals, like making money with the least amount of work. So, we find ourselves facing the end of the banana as we know it. Given that it is one of the few non-processed foods on the approved list around my household, I am sad.
I think that part of the reason this is happening is the lack of oversight by an entity other than industry. We would need policy makers to get involved and highlight longer term issues. Self regulation clearly is not working. But, the Department of Agriculture seems like its sole function is to protect antiquated subsidies that are hurting consumers. And, it would take a multinational body to actually deal with theses issues. We need an Al Gore figure to take this one on.
Chicken or the Egg
This seems like another example where science shows us that there's really no precise answer. An egg mutated, and a chicken was born to non-chicken parents. So, I suppose it's the egg. But wasn't it a chicken in the egg for as long as the egg existed? Let's just call it a tie and put this question to rest once and for all...
Eating Broccoli
Yes, I always eat my broccoli. For one thing, broccoli is one of the few vegetables that I can always find organic. In Marin, organic veggies are not as easy to find as you may think. Also, I've been aware for some time about the protective effect of DIM against cancer. But, realisitically, you'd have to eat truckloads of broccoli to get the effect that they've seen in studies where they are working with highly concentrated levels of DIM and IC3. I like broccoli and my kids do too, so we eat a lot of it for that reason!
Why haven't we learned from the banana or even the potato? I am mystified. Diversification is natural and necessary to ensure survival of various species. But, it's not particularly convenient for shorter term goals, like making money with the least amount of work. So, we find ourselves facing the end of the banana as we know it. Given that it is one of the few non-processed foods on the approved list around my household, I am sad.
I think that part of the reason this is happening is the lack of oversight by an entity other than industry. We would need policy makers to get involved and highlight longer term issues. Self regulation clearly is not working. But, the Department of Agriculture seems like its sole function is to protect antiquated subsidies that are hurting consumers. And, it would take a multinational body to actually deal with theses issues. We need an Al Gore figure to take this one on.
Chicken or the Egg
This seems like another example where science shows us that there's really no precise answer. An egg mutated, and a chicken was born to non-chicken parents. So, I suppose it's the egg. But wasn't it a chicken in the egg for as long as the egg existed? Let's just call it a tie and put this question to rest once and for all...
Eating Broccoli
Yes, I always eat my broccoli. For one thing, broccoli is one of the few vegetables that I can always find organic. In Marin, organic veggies are not as easy to find as you may think. Also, I've been aware for some time about the protective effect of DIM against cancer. But, realisitically, you'd have to eat truckloads of broccoli to get the effect that they've seen in studies where they are working with highly concentrated levels of DIM and IC3. I like broccoli and my kids do too, so we eat a lot of it for that reason!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Week Four
A Drug For Everything?
It seems like that is the way that we are headed. Clearly, there's an alarming trend toward medicalizing everything, even personality, and then making nearly every aspect of the human condition "treatable". Looked at from this standpoint, this is appalling. I believe strongly that people need to look deep within themselves and deal with what they find. Taking pills to cure a gambling problem keeps people from doing that. And, of course, it won't work. I hate the ads for drugs. They are creating conditions and then creating cures. It's madness.
But, I do feel that there are situations where the pharmaceutical industry has made important strides in saving human lives. It's not a very popular viewpoint, especially in the non-western health world, but I thank God for things like the polio vaccine having heard about my parents' lives as kids, and seeing pictures of gymanasiums filled with kids in iron lungs. It's easy to say, well we need to be comfortable with letting go. But, I feel very deeply the fundamental human impulse to heal and preserve lives. (I am pro-choice). Each person is truly precious, and if the pharmaceutical industry can come up with cures for things like polio, leukemia, other cancers, I'm all for it.
Raising Levels of Dopamine in Ourselves
Apparently, we can increase levels of dopamine in our brains if we think we are being injected with its precursors. I'm not surprised. It's been shown time and again that treatments are both positively and negatively affected by what we believe. What would be interesting would be if we could teach people to raise levels of dopamine without injecting them with anything. That would truly be self healing, and would result in an incredible sense of empowerment.
I think that so much of disease and poor health arises from a sense of powerlessness: a belief that our bodies are separate from us, like our cars or something. Therefore, there is a sense that they need to be cared for by doctors, the equivalent of the car mechanic. People don't think they can fix themselves; it's too complicated. So, they take the back seat. It's a vicious downward spiral into sickness.
How Did Chimps and Humans Diverge?
I think the most likely theory is the one that we read this week, specifically that the chimps and humans diverged more gradually rather than in one single event. Toumai, discovered in Chad, seems to represent a hybrid human-chimp creature that existed after the date that we believed that pre-human and chimp speciation occurred. Apparently, there was interbreeding creating creatures like Toumai, and modern humans emerged from one of those hybrid species.
So, pre-humans bred with chimps! No wonder evolution scares the ultra right so deeply. But, that's a subject for psychology...
It seems like that is the way that we are headed. Clearly, there's an alarming trend toward medicalizing everything, even personality, and then making nearly every aspect of the human condition "treatable". Looked at from this standpoint, this is appalling. I believe strongly that people need to look deep within themselves and deal with what they find. Taking pills to cure a gambling problem keeps people from doing that. And, of course, it won't work. I hate the ads for drugs. They are creating conditions and then creating cures. It's madness.
But, I do feel that there are situations where the pharmaceutical industry has made important strides in saving human lives. It's not a very popular viewpoint, especially in the non-western health world, but I thank God for things like the polio vaccine having heard about my parents' lives as kids, and seeing pictures of gymanasiums filled with kids in iron lungs. It's easy to say, well we need to be comfortable with letting go. But, I feel very deeply the fundamental human impulse to heal and preserve lives. (I am pro-choice). Each person is truly precious, and if the pharmaceutical industry can come up with cures for things like polio, leukemia, other cancers, I'm all for it.
Raising Levels of Dopamine in Ourselves
Apparently, we can increase levels of dopamine in our brains if we think we are being injected with its precursors. I'm not surprised. It's been shown time and again that treatments are both positively and negatively affected by what we believe. What would be interesting would be if we could teach people to raise levels of dopamine without injecting them with anything. That would truly be self healing, and would result in an incredible sense of empowerment.
I think that so much of disease and poor health arises from a sense of powerlessness: a belief that our bodies are separate from us, like our cars or something. Therefore, there is a sense that they need to be cared for by doctors, the equivalent of the car mechanic. People don't think they can fix themselves; it's too complicated. So, they take the back seat. It's a vicious downward spiral into sickness.
How Did Chimps and Humans Diverge?
I think the most likely theory is the one that we read this week, specifically that the chimps and humans diverged more gradually rather than in one single event. Toumai, discovered in Chad, seems to represent a hybrid human-chimp creature that existed after the date that we believed that pre-human and chimp speciation occurred. Apparently, there was interbreeding creating creatures like Toumai, and modern humans emerged from one of those hybrid species.
So, pre-humans bred with chimps! No wonder evolution scares the ultra right so deeply. But, that's a subject for psychology...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Week Two: Evo devo thoughts
I was genuinely surprised to learn about the role of master control genes in the evolutionary process. I always thought (as many people do, I think) that the development of a new trait required a mutation in a gene. And, honestly, I could never figure out how enough mutations could occur to create such a vast array of living species (and of course I still don't understand that). But, it makes a little more sense to me that there are a few genes that control development which generate physical diversity even in the presence of similar genes. This is cool!
And, of course, this provides a different framework in which to consider the genetic similarity between humans and chimps. Even though our DNA is 98% the same, the master control genes in the 2% kick in to generate more physical differences between the species. Also, good to know!
And, of course, this provides a different framework in which to consider the genetic similarity between humans and chimps. Even though our DNA is 98% the same, the master control genes in the 2% kick in to generate more physical differences between the species. Also, good to know!
Human evolution website review
Evolution
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Sciences/LifeScience/PhysicalAnthropology/
HumanGeneticEvolution/mainpage.htm
I looked at this and found it to be helpful to the extent that it is anecdotal and not technical. With my learning style, I can't really assimilate a lot of technical information without something real attached to it. For example, I liked the sections dealing with the controversy between the replacement theorists and the simultaneous development theorists. Just a little more real and concrete dealing with large populations than the discussions of what goes on the x chromosome and what's on the y.
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Sciences/LifeScience/PhysicalAnthropology/
HumanGeneticEvolution/mainpage.htm
I looked at this and found it to be helpful to the extent that it is anecdotal and not technical. With my learning style, I can't really assimilate a lot of technical information without something real attached to it. For example, I liked the sections dealing with the controversy between the replacement theorists and the simultaneous development theorists. Just a little more real and concrete dealing with large populations than the discussions of what goes on the x chromosome and what's on the y.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Prokaryote Eukaryote Quiz
Don't quite know how to post this. I did the tutorial and took the quiz. I got very few correct on the first try but it was a learning process! This reminds me a little too much of high school biology, which wasn't a happy thing for me. I did enjoy learning about viruses, never knew how they worked before!
Chimps and Humans
No big surprise here. We are animals, no more and no less. I am not the least bit surprised that our DNA is so similar to that of chimps. They are so highly intelligent and social, they seem like mini humans to me.
I'm a meat eater though, and I do get queasy when I'm forced to consider the similarity from that standpoint. It's so easy to compartmentalize, to entirely insulate myself from the fact that I'm eating an animal because food is so neat and tidily packed. I've dabbled in vegetarianism, feeling it's barbaric to eat animals. But then I don't feel well; I get tired and hungry. Soy is not something I'm interested in, so it's hard to get protein. Anyway, I'm a meat eater for now, but feeling more like a cannibal armed with this info. (Of course I've never eaten a chimp).
I'm a meat eater though, and I do get queasy when I'm forced to consider the similarity from that standpoint. It's so easy to compartmentalize, to entirely insulate myself from the fact that I'm eating an animal because food is so neat and tidily packed. I've dabbled in vegetarianism, feeling it's barbaric to eat animals. But then I don't feel well; I get tired and hungry. Soy is not something I'm interested in, so it's hard to get protein. Anyway, I'm a meat eater for now, but feeling more like a cannibal armed with this info. (Of course I've never eaten a chimp).
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Week one:
Introducing Myself
Arriving late to my first trimester of acupuncture school, I find myself more than a little discombobulated. But, in a nutshell, here is where I have been: I grew up and went to school(s) back east. Moved to California and practiced law for seven years in San Francisco. Then I got married and soon thereafter quit work upon the arrival of the first of my two boys, now aged 7 and 8. I have had a ball with them, but find myself ready to recreate my own life. My exposure to acupuncture as a patient has been life-altering. I am thrilled to be in a place to learn to help people as I have been helped.
Interesting to Me: Autism and Yawning
I think of empathy as one of the most uniquely human traits. I sometimes imagine my dog can empathize with whatever sorrow I might face. Then I realize she probably is just confused by my change in behavior, and so looks at me questioningly rather than in an understanding way (by the way, she says, you aren't too upset to get my dinner are you?). She doesn't empathize. Empathy for me is at the essence of what enables humans to rise above the animal kingdom. It's part of what enables us to be "spiritual".
But, I find the article about yawning disconcerting because it indicates that empathy is really just a biological function in the brain. New studies show that empathy drives contagious yawning. The function has been developed in humans as a way to increase survival likelihood for the pack. It enables the group to coordinate sleep patterns, and maintain alertness against potential predators. Those that empathize more keenly, the theory goes, survive better.
So empathy is not about spirituality. It is not an example of the human rising above his/her physical form. Rather, we find it is very much rooted in and determined by our physical being.
(Note: I don't fully buy this. I think empathy has developed way beyond the level necessary to assure survival. Look at deeply spiritual people who have abandoned identity with the ego. But, it's very interesting to me to learn that empathy has a physical basis.)
Introducing Myself
Arriving late to my first trimester of acupuncture school, I find myself more than a little discombobulated. But, in a nutshell, here is where I have been: I grew up and went to school(s) back east. Moved to California and practiced law for seven years in San Francisco. Then I got married and soon thereafter quit work upon the arrival of the first of my two boys, now aged 7 and 8. I have had a ball with them, but find myself ready to recreate my own life. My exposure to acupuncture as a patient has been life-altering. I am thrilled to be in a place to learn to help people as I have been helped.
Interesting to Me: Autism and Yawning
I think of empathy as one of the most uniquely human traits. I sometimes imagine my dog can empathize with whatever sorrow I might face. Then I realize she probably is just confused by my change in behavior, and so looks at me questioningly rather than in an understanding way (by the way, she says, you aren't too upset to get my dinner are you?). She doesn't empathize. Empathy for me is at the essence of what enables humans to rise above the animal kingdom. It's part of what enables us to be "spiritual".
But, I find the article about yawning disconcerting because it indicates that empathy is really just a biological function in the brain. New studies show that empathy drives contagious yawning. The function has been developed in humans as a way to increase survival likelihood for the pack. It enables the group to coordinate sleep patterns, and maintain alertness against potential predators. Those that empathize more keenly, the theory goes, survive better.
So empathy is not about spirituality. It is not an example of the human rising above his/her physical form. Rather, we find it is very much rooted in and determined by our physical being.
(Note: I don't fully buy this. I think empathy has developed way beyond the level necessary to assure survival. Look at deeply spiritual people who have abandoned identity with the ego. But, it's very interesting to me to learn that empathy has a physical basis.)
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