Well, this isn't your parents Science Museum! Starting at the lobby, complete with a full open bar, the Academy of Arts & Sciences was transformed into a nightclub atmosphere. Including rockin', eclectic trance-dance music, a wide-selection of yummy home-made ethnic foods, salsa dancers later performance later in the evening, throngs of young people out on one of the hottest dates in the city. A friend who we talked to said it was good that we were there on the 'off-season' because the "Nightlife" events were so popular in the summer that you could barely move since there were usually wall-to-wall people in attendance. Who knew it was the most happenin' hot spots for the younger generation!?
It seemed somewhat surreal since this all took place against the back drop of the Tropical Rain forest exhibit, the Planetarium (it was sold out - darn!), the extensive Aquarium exhibit, a terrific exhibit about global warming (apparently these scientist actually believe that it's happening) and a Darwin exhibit commemorating the 200 year anniversary of the publishing of the infamous"Origin of Species".
That being said, the lecture we were there to attend, "Evidence of Evolution" was impressive on one level, since it highlighted the Museum's extensive collection, and the photography was stunningly beautiful (even if the subject matter were all deceased); yet it was also slightly ghoulish on another, since all the 'evidence' was of various previously alive species, now on display in formaldehyde-filled jars. Kind of creepy...especially the last one... a still-born baby chimp in a jar. It just made me wonder how we would feel if visitors from another planet came down and decided to study us in the same manner. We might not see it as a valuable, scientific endeavor if the shoe were on the other proverbial foot. I guess I'm just partial to live video footage of different species in their wild habitats (think: "Marmot Mansion" on National Geographic), where they continue to live, relatively undisturbed by our prying eyes.
Similarly, while the exhibits that I was able to take in (Darwin, Global Warming and the Aquarium) were all executed in top-notch, professional fashion, I still have a hard time looking at other beings in small cages behind glass, no matter how nicely decorated they are. It seems so cruel, heartless and detached on some level. Whenever I looked at the various life forms in the exhibits, they seemed to be relentlessly trying to find the 'way out' of whatever space they were in. It reminded me of the Twilight Zone episode where the people are 'trapped' in a ghost town; and it's only in the end, that you as the audience see that (unbeknownst to them) they are actually some gigantic child's playthings in a cardboard cutout version of a western town, with no way out...perhaps that was Rod Serling's way of commenting on this same topic.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Week 13: Laughter is the Best Medicine
We know anecdotally that laughing and crying are basically the same release, and given the choice between the two, who wouldn’t choose laughter- it feels better to the body/mind complex and is more uplifting for the spirit, too! And we’ve all heard the stories of people who have cured themselves from various diseases (such as cancer) by watching a diet of only humorous videos that make the patients laugh, causing the disease to go into spontaneous remission.
And, now we have clinical proof of how that actually works. “Laughter diminishes the secretion of the body’s stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine, while enhancing the immune response; similarly, mirthful laughter boosts the secretion of growth hormone, enhancing key immune responses”. Well, that’s reason enough to put ourselves on a diet that includes large servings of humor on a regular basis! Comedy channel, anyone?
And, now we have clinical proof of how that actually works. “Laughter diminishes the secretion of the body’s stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine, while enhancing the immune response; similarly, mirthful laughter boosts the secretion of growth hormone, enhancing key immune responses”. Well, that’s reason enough to put ourselves on a diet that includes large servings of humor on a regular basis! Comedy channel, anyone?
Week 13: Tailor-made stem cells for disease
I had a really hard time reading this article because the of the arrogance and pomposity of Mr. Manohar. His interview is like a giant advertisement for funding and support on behalf of the Stempeutics company. As if they have any idea of what they are doing! Stem cells can naturally develop into any kind of other cell…how do they know what genetic cues actually accomplish this?
This reminds me of what the pharmaceutical companies do when they find a particular constituent in a plant or other organism that they then create a chemical version of in the lab -only- so they can patent it and make a profit. Well, guess what? The naturally occurring substance and the laboratory created ones are not the same. And your body knows the difference. Companies make these chemical drugs, release them on the public and then only after years of beta-testing them on the unsuspecting humans, pull them off the market because of the harmful side effects, once the damage has been done (think: birth control pills, Viagra, prozac, etc.). Mr Manohar really has no idea how these new ‘regenerative medicines’ will play out. If the body was supposed to be able to regenerate itself (as in the case of the liver and skin cells), then I think God/dess would have thought about that an included it in our original design.
Don’t get me wrong, if stem cell research is truly helpful to healing and curing previously incurable diseases, I’m all for it -and- the research required to develop such medicines. But, let’s do it in a way that is responsible and ethical. It’s just that the this interviewee is so smug and know-it-all in his tone that it rubs me the wrong way…this field is just at it’s infancy, there is much promise to this new approach -but- truly they have no idea of how this regenerative medicine will play out -or- what the trade-offs and down-side might be.
Not to mention, if someone has Type 2 diabetes or heart disease there may be factors in their current lifestyles and diets that have actually allowed these diseases to develop during their lifetimes. I don’t hear any mention in their protocol of taking that into consideration and addressing it with counseling, etc. when we are handing out quick fixes such as is promised with stem cell medicines. Without addressing other factors such as these that may have contributed to the health challenges, we just are cuing people up to continue with their status quo behavior versus any real healing on a deeper level…at the source of the imbalance.
This reminds me of what the pharmaceutical companies do when they find a particular constituent in a plant or other organism that they then create a chemical version of in the lab -only- so they can patent it and make a profit. Well, guess what? The naturally occurring substance and the laboratory created ones are not the same. And your body knows the difference. Companies make these chemical drugs, release them on the public and then only after years of beta-testing them on the unsuspecting humans, pull them off the market because of the harmful side effects, once the damage has been done (think: birth control pills, Viagra, prozac, etc.). Mr Manohar really has no idea how these new ‘regenerative medicines’ will play out. If the body was supposed to be able to regenerate itself (as in the case of the liver and skin cells), then I think God/dess would have thought about that an included it in our original design.
Don’t get me wrong, if stem cell research is truly helpful to healing and curing previously incurable diseases, I’m all for it -and- the research required to develop such medicines. But, let’s do it in a way that is responsible and ethical. It’s just that the this interviewee is so smug and know-it-all in his tone that it rubs me the wrong way…this field is just at it’s infancy, there is much promise to this new approach -but- truly they have no idea of how this regenerative medicine will play out -or- what the trade-offs and down-side might be.
Not to mention, if someone has Type 2 diabetes or heart disease there may be factors in their current lifestyles and diets that have actually allowed these diseases to develop during their lifetimes. I don’t hear any mention in their protocol of taking that into consideration and addressing it with counseling, etc. when we are handing out quick fixes such as is promised with stem cell medicines. Without addressing other factors such as these that may have contributed to the health challenges, we just are cuing people up to continue with their status quo behavior versus any real healing on a deeper level…at the source of the imbalance.
Week 13: Open-Season on Wolves in Idaho & Montana
There is a certain amount of arrogance that we as humans have regarding our idea that we actually know how to ‘manage’ ecosystems -or- the life forms that live within them. And what really aggravates the situation is, that the government officials who make these arm chair decisions, based on changing and conflicting ‘science’ from the comfort of their offices, are far away from the reality of the system they are attempting to oversee.
Such is the problem with the wolves. First we re-introduce them to a region, then when they get a foot hold and start to thrive, we ‘cull’ the packs…21 entire packs to be exact! What are we thinking? Who determines how “fully recovered” is defined? And how is it that a species can be endangered in one area of the world, yet their populations can be considered excessive in others? We create these situations through our own doing and then other beings suffer due to our short-sightedness and mismanagement.
The human species doesn’t have a terrific track record for properly managing and overseeing other beings on this planet to date. Not to mention the fact that our own excessive population explosion and unchecked development has created these very problems, that we now need to manage, by encroaching on the territories of other plants and animals to begin with. The concern the conservationists have for enough genetic diversity to continue the wolf species in the future is an important one, that is being overlooked. Otherwise, we might ‘manage’ the wolves to extinction, only to realize it too late.
Such is the problem with the wolves. First we re-introduce them to a region, then when they get a foot hold and start to thrive, we ‘cull’ the packs…21 entire packs to be exact! What are we thinking? Who determines how “fully recovered” is defined? And how is it that a species can be endangered in one area of the world, yet their populations can be considered excessive in others? We create these situations through our own doing and then other beings suffer due to our short-sightedness and mismanagement.
The human species doesn’t have a terrific track record for properly managing and overseeing other beings on this planet to date. Not to mention the fact that our own excessive population explosion and unchecked development has created these very problems, that we now need to manage, by encroaching on the territories of other plants and animals to begin with. The concern the conservationists have for enough genetic diversity to continue the wolf species in the future is an important one, that is being overlooked. Otherwise, we might ‘manage’ the wolves to extinction, only to realize it too late.
Week 12: Thoughts on Child Cancer Risk Higher in Richer Rural Families
While there may be some truth to the idea that children of higher income families in rural areas are more vulnerable to infection due to their isolation and to “early months in hygienic surroundings with little exposure to bacteria” which in turn impacts their developing immune systems…I take exception to this article presupposing that this is the main and primary reason for higher cancer rates in such populations.
In particular, I disagree totally with the idea that there was “no link found…between the cluster of leukemia cases, in both Sellafield and Dounreay“…both of which are located around nuclear and reprocessing plants. I mean come on! It’s only common sense…though, in all fairness, it may be a factor of time as well. This article was published in 2006. Well, it’s now 2009 and just this week the media is reporting that studies show that there are connections between radiation (therapy, etc.) being linked to cancer. Dah!
However, other factors that spring to mind include:
In particular, I disagree totally with the idea that there was “no link found…between the cluster of leukemia cases, in both Sellafield and Dounreay“…both of which are located around nuclear and reprocessing plants. I mean come on! It’s only common sense…though, in all fairness, it may be a factor of time as well. This article was published in 2006. Well, it’s now 2009 and just this week the media is reporting that studies show that there are connections between radiation (therapy, etc.) being linked to cancer. Dah!
However, other factors that spring to mind include:
- If the children in question were not breast fed sufficiently (or at all), there can be a detrimental impact to their liver development as well as immune system functionality overall, making them more susceptible to illness of all kinds.
- Exposure to xeno-estrogenic substances in the environment (from plastics, leaded gasoline, chemicals and pollutants in the food and water supplies) that create the right climate and predispose one to cancerous conditions developing.
- Similarly, exposure to chemicals in cleaning products, perfumes, anti-bacterial soaps and personal hygiene products that can detriment health.
- The entire question of diet has been completely overlooked. Rich people tend to eat rich foods, in the form of red meat and dairy -both- of which can create an internal environment (in TCM terms: dampness) that would allow cysts and tumors to develop (especially if the above are not from organic sources).
Week 12: Reintroduction of the American Bison
To the Native American people of the prairie, the Buffalo has always represented their very spirit and cultural heritage -while- embodying their freedom, and their lifestyle of living in harmony with nature as Great Spirit taught them. Because of this, the systematic annihilation of the Buffalo by the American government, was a deliberate, purposeful and unfortunately successful attempt to conquer and suppress the Indian people, their beliefs and cultures. This was done as a means to the end of stealing their land and resources for our own selfish purposes.
For all of these reasons, and especially because the reintroduction of the Buffalo population will “heal the spirit of both the Indian people, and the Buffalo” it is of vital importance that this effort is successful. The renewed hope that the resurrection of the sacred relationship between the Indian people and the Buffalo will provide to both, is a much needed healing balm to the national wound we all share. When the Indian people become whole again, so too, will we as a
nation.
For all of these reasons, and especially because the reintroduction of the Buffalo population will “heal the spirit of both the Indian people, and the Buffalo” it is of vital importance that this effort is successful. The renewed hope that the resurrection of the sacred relationship between the Indian people and the Buffalo will provide to both, is a much needed healing balm to the national wound we all share. When the Indian people become whole again, so too, will we as a
nation.
Week 11: Assess the end-goals of “Social Ecology”
Social Ecology analyzes “the various political and social institutions that people use in relationship to nature and its resources”. These institutions include: “systems of economic production, cultural systems of reproduction, laws & politics as well as ideas and ideologies“.
Radical Ecology is social ecology that pushes the envelope by encouraging “new patterns of production, reproduction and consciousness” while seeking to transform the current paradigm. It does this by challenging the political and economic status quo, while offering alternative answers to these age-old questions.
True learning and subsequent change follow a predictable arch be they personal or global. First one has to realize that there is a problem with the present methodologies, which sparks the desire for change. Next, viable alternatives and solutions must be identified. Then, a plan for transforming the current paradigm into the alternate reality must be developed. And finally, the plan must be put into action. Ultimately, it takes time, energy and serious commitment to change in order to bring such broad personal and social transformations about. Change can be challenging on the individual level, and seemingly improbable on the global level, considering all the various political and economic agendas of the countries and peoples involved…but, it is not impossible…if we all have the same goal: to save our planet. When all is said an done, it’s the only home we have. Hopefully, that will be motivation enough.
Radical Ecology is social ecology that pushes the envelope by encouraging “new patterns of production, reproduction and consciousness” while seeking to transform the current paradigm. It does this by challenging the political and economic status quo, while offering alternative answers to these age-old questions.
True learning and subsequent change follow a predictable arch be they personal or global. First one has to realize that there is a problem with the present methodologies, which sparks the desire for change. Next, viable alternatives and solutions must be identified. Then, a plan for transforming the current paradigm into the alternate reality must be developed. And finally, the plan must be put into action. Ultimately, it takes time, energy and serious commitment to change in order to bring such broad personal and social transformations about. Change can be challenging on the individual level, and seemingly improbable on the global level, considering all the various political and economic agendas of the countries and peoples involved…but, it is not impossible…if we all have the same goal: to save our planet. When all is said an done, it’s the only home we have. Hopefully, that will be motivation enough.
Week 11: Ecosystems are Strong and Fragile
Ecosystems are defined as “a dynamic collection of plants, animals and their physical environment interacting through a variety of processes and operating as a unit”. Plants and trees take energy from the sun and nutrients from the soil and provide food for the animals and other life forms. Similarly, animals consume one another and their decaying carcasses become nutrients for the soil and the subsequent plantlife that it supports, bringing the life cycle full circle. For this reason, an ecosystem is “self-sustaining, consuming and producing both organic materials and energy”. It is this perpetual cycle of interdependence that gives an ecosystem its inherent strength. And yet…an ecosystem is a web of inter-related species and life forms which, is just a fragile as a spider’s web, if one of the strands is removed from the original structure.
Take the Yellowstone National Park for example. It “holds the planet’s most diverse collection of hot springs and geysers…while also being a refuge for hundreds of wildlife species”. From the natural resources of the land to the abundance of flora and fauna, Yellowstone truly “constitutes on the of earth’s most diverse and dynamic natural regions”.
And yet, Yellowstone is also a fragile ecosystem. Why? Because as large as it is, it is also an island in a sense. As vast as it is, it is cut-off from the larger ecosystem of which it is also a part, including the vital wetlands and wilderness complex of Idaho and Montana that surround it. This effectively fragments the larger landscape, and ultimately this isolation can lead to the loss of plant and animal species for future generations. Paradoxically, the capacity for balance is in our hands…but, may be beyond our reach -if- we are not responsible stewards of the larger ecosystem of which Yellowstone is a part.
Take the Yellowstone National Park for example. It “holds the planet’s most diverse collection of hot springs and geysers…while also being a refuge for hundreds of wildlife species”. From the natural resources of the land to the abundance of flora and fauna, Yellowstone truly “constitutes on the of earth’s most diverse and dynamic natural regions”.
And yet, Yellowstone is also a fragile ecosystem. Why? Because as large as it is, it is also an island in a sense. As vast as it is, it is cut-off from the larger ecosystem of which it is also a part, including the vital wetlands and wilderness complex of Idaho and Montana that surround it. This effectively fragments the larger landscape, and ultimately this isolation can lead to the loss of plant and animal species for future generations. Paradoxically, the capacity for balance is in our hands…but, may be beyond our reach -if- we are not responsible stewards of the larger ecosystem of which Yellowstone is a part.
Week 11: Deep Ecology Platform
I think the outline of the Deep Ecology Platform has merit and we as a planet have even addressed at least half of the ideas expressed therein, including: “recognizing the inherent worth of human and non-human life on earth“, which “contributes to the richness and diversity” of the planet. Further, it states the “humans have no right to reduce this diversity” except as absolutely necessary for our survival; and the majority of the world’s population is even coming to realize that due to our “interference” with the natural course of life on the planet by humans to other forms of life has had detrimental effects whose impact is escalating the devastation worldwide.
However, once we start discussing the topic of population control and how to manage that along with the necessary policy changes that would be required to institute such sweeping changes, we quickly come to a cultural and political impasse as to how to talk about, let alone implement, such changes.
So, while I laud the authors of this ideology for their forward thinking, I think the reality is that it will require sacrifice on the part of all us to accomplish such an ideal. That being said, where there is life there is hope. Perhaps some of the predicted global imbalances in natural resources (specifically food) versus population demands for same; as well as the current and future mass extinctions of various species that we are experiencing even now, will spur the consideration of how to achieve these more controversial goals as well…for the sake of all life on earth.
However, once we start discussing the topic of population control and how to manage that along with the necessary policy changes that would be required to institute such sweeping changes, we quickly come to a cultural and political impasse as to how to talk about, let alone implement, such changes.
So, while I laud the authors of this ideology for their forward thinking, I think the reality is that it will require sacrifice on the part of all us to accomplish such an ideal. That being said, where there is life there is hope. Perhaps some of the predicted global imbalances in natural resources (specifically food) versus population demands for same; as well as the current and future mass extinctions of various species that we are experiencing even now, will spur the consideration of how to achieve these more controversial goals as well…for the sake of all life on earth.
Week 8: The Deal That Saved the Whale
This seems like a win-win-win solution for all involved…the local land owners, the whales and the planet! The unusual agreement negotiated between the environmental groups and local cooperative, Ejido Louis Echeverria, agrees to protect 120,000 acres around the Laguna San Ignacio. The agreement plans to do this by providing $25,000 annually from a trust fund (created by Wildcoast and the Natural Resources Defense Council, among others) to the members of the cooperative in exchange for their promise to block development of the “last undisturbed grey whale nursery on the Pacific coastline”.
ProNatura, Mexico’s largest and oldest conservation organization will “ensure that the money is spent only on environmentally sustainable development projects”. Further, earnings from the trust will “create long term jobs and give the members a stake on preserving the habitat of the whales”.
Hopefully, such agreements will set a precedence and encourage other local ejidos (local land cooperatives) to follow suit and preserve even more of the Baja peninsula and all the life forms that thrive there in perpetuity, so it doesn't fall into the hands of developers and property speculators who are only in it for their own gain.
ProNatura, Mexico’s largest and oldest conservation organization will “ensure that the money is spent only on environmentally sustainable development projects”. Further, earnings from the trust will “create long term jobs and give the members a stake on preserving the habitat of the whales”.
Hopefully, such agreements will set a precedence and encourage other local ejidos (local land cooperatives) to follow suit and preserve even more of the Baja peninsula and all the life forms that thrive there in perpetuity, so it doesn't fall into the hands of developers and property speculators who are only in it for their own gain.
Week 8: TCM strengthens the Immune system
Whether being used as an adjunct to support allopathic medical treatments, as in the case of HIV and Cancer, or as the primary modality for treating a given syndrome; one of the hallmarks of Traditional Chinese Medicine is it’s ability to support the immune system, and it's self-healing mechanism.
When working with a client who is experiencing TCM for the first time, I explain how the treatment (be it bodywork, tuning forks or needles) will support the body’s own innate healing capabilities as embodied in their immune system. Using the metaphor of a garden hose filled with water, I explain how the meridians create an energetic circuit in the body through which energy flows.
Similarly, these meridians may get blockages at certain points (due to a variety of reasons) which have the effect of creating too much energy in certain areas and too little in others, much like a kink in the garden hose would create too much water pressure on one side and not enough on the other. Once such a blockage is removed by the treatment, the energy is allowed to flow equally throughout the body’s extremities as well as the internal organs. This now balanced flow of energy has the effect of supporting the body’s own self-healing mechanism, so it can function optimally and return the individual to their natural state of balance and health.
In addition, Qi Gong and Tai Chi practices also have “repeatedly demonstrated a role in strengthening the immune system, fighting fatigue and introducing a sense of well-being” to the individual through their continued practice over time. Also, the well-developed and extensive use of herbal medicine has been used for millennia as a major component of TCM. These herbs can be used as an effective support for various systems in the body, as well as medicinal treatments for various syndromes and imbalances, which have the same ultimate effect as the other components of TCM. Used together acupuncture, herbs and movement practices create a effective and successful 3-pronged approach to supporting the overall health and wellness of an individual, as proved time and again throughout their long history of use.
When working with a client who is experiencing TCM for the first time, I explain how the treatment (be it bodywork, tuning forks or needles) will support the body’s own innate healing capabilities as embodied in their immune system. Using the metaphor of a garden hose filled with water, I explain how the meridians create an energetic circuit in the body through which energy flows.
Similarly, these meridians may get blockages at certain points (due to a variety of reasons) which have the effect of creating too much energy in certain areas and too little in others, much like a kink in the garden hose would create too much water pressure on one side and not enough on the other. Once such a blockage is removed by the treatment, the energy is allowed to flow equally throughout the body’s extremities as well as the internal organs. This now balanced flow of energy has the effect of supporting the body’s own self-healing mechanism, so it can function optimally and return the individual to their natural state of balance and health.
In addition, Qi Gong and Tai Chi practices also have “repeatedly demonstrated a role in strengthening the immune system, fighting fatigue and introducing a sense of well-being” to the individual through their continued practice over time. Also, the well-developed and extensive use of herbal medicine has been used for millennia as a major component of TCM. These herbs can be used as an effective support for various systems in the body, as well as medicinal treatments for various syndromes and imbalances, which have the same ultimate effect as the other components of TCM. Used together acupuncture, herbs and movement practices create a effective and successful 3-pronged approach to supporting the overall health and wellness of an individual, as proved time and again throughout their long history of use.
Week 8: The Western Approach to HIV/AIDS
Not meaning to be harsh or overly cynical, it seems to me that for most people, a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS is essentially a death sentence…and the reality is, that it’s just a matter of time before the disease progresses to the point that passing into spirit is a welcome alternative to the continued suffering. That being said, it’s the same prognosis with life period: no one gets out alive.
Given the nature of this illness, and the relentless progression of the disease, that there are any Western treatments that work -even if only for a short time- against this evasive, ever-mutating invader, will be comforting to many people. It’s a fight against the continuously progressing time-line of HIV and it‘s eroding effects on the immune system and overall health.
For some, any approach that forestalls the inevitable, will be a welcome alternative.
For others, however, the multi-drug cocktail treatments and their side-effects, may be worse than the disease. From protease inhibitors causing nausea and diarrhea, drops in red & white blood cell levels from reverse transcriptase inhibitors, painful nerve damage and inflammation to the pancreas, to long-term liver and kidney problems as well as increased risk for strokes and heart attacks; it’s a wonder that the body is able to maintain any immune response at all under the barrage of the HIV viruses and alopathic medical treatments.
Ultimately, the issue of HIV treatment protocol is an individual one, and its focus becomes one of ‘quality of life‘ versus ‘length of life‘. It’s a very personal decision, that only an individual living with the disease can make.
Given the nature of this illness, and the relentless progression of the disease, that there are any Western treatments that work -even if only for a short time- against this evasive, ever-mutating invader, will be comforting to many people. It’s a fight against the continuously progressing time-line of HIV and it‘s eroding effects on the immune system and overall health.
For some, any approach that forestalls the inevitable, will be a welcome alternative.
For others, however, the multi-drug cocktail treatments and their side-effects, may be worse than the disease. From protease inhibitors causing nausea and diarrhea, drops in red & white blood cell levels from reverse transcriptase inhibitors, painful nerve damage and inflammation to the pancreas, to long-term liver and kidney problems as well as increased risk for strokes and heart attacks; it’s a wonder that the body is able to maintain any immune response at all under the barrage of the HIV viruses and alopathic medical treatments.
Ultimately, the issue of HIV treatment protocol is an individual one, and its focus becomes one of ‘quality of life‘ versus ‘length of life‘. It’s a very personal decision, that only an individual living with the disease can make.
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