1) How sophisticated is our understanding of cancer?
I think that our understanding of cancer is finally coming to conclusions: that cancer is the making up of not just one issue, but more than one. At least there is some acknowledgement that there isn't just one answer to a problem. When talking to cancer patients, I've noticed more and more changing their lifestyle all around; they're talking on many approaches to helping themselves stay healthy. I think that science has its place in cancer right now and they're doing all they can to find "a cure" and looking more and more at "cures".
2) How does a TCM approach differ?
TCM approaches cancer from a balanced perspective. There are at least two reasons for cancer, illness or anything to exist. Everything has a balance, there's an automatic two reasons right there! Also, herbs are a definite differential right there! I know that some western doctors suggest herbs to take, but they're just now noticing that most herbs they were suggesting don't do much since they aren't cold pressed. It's the ongoing balance of East and West, right?
3) Are our genes still being naturally shaped by natural selection?
Absolutely! All beings are shaped by natural selection, constantly. Evolution is never-ending.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Nature of Life
1) How do you distinguish between living and nonliving systems?
I don't distinguish between the two. All systems are alive in some way, energentically, but how and what they're living is the question, among others I'm sure. A social system, a computer system, the endocrine system. The difference is what they live in - a body, a plant, a social structure. Everything is alive via energy.
2) What do you feel is the significance of the use of language and tools in chimps?
I don't feel that there is a significance there; it's just a fact. There is a species of monkey (I forget the name...I could look it up in the Smithsonian mag @ work) that actually shares with others. They were tested by being separated in cages. The monkey would actually share his/her food with their neighbor, without any expectation of something in return. A smootching noise made by an orangetan is a sign of backing off, it's definitely not an invitation for a kiss. Chimps and primates alike are amazing creatures and it saddens me (in a way) to think that we are so surprised at their intelligence, let alone other fellow creatures of this earth. Our similarities go deeper than just language and tools, we have boundaries, hearts, feelings, etc, etc. Tools are used to get by easier and languages we use to get our points across...basic foundations for intelligence.
3) Hmmmm..."Chinese Medicine Gaining Respectability in the West"...
Finally, another example of how we "the people" use a technique different from the "norm" and the media turns it into something that they discovered due to faith in users. Due to some people's lack of faith, this will be disected, criticized more, blown up and ultimately turned into a fad. Only, like Yoga, I like this fad. Baby steps for western media, baby steps. The lights are still dim, but I'll be happy for the day when they turn on full blast, they'll be able to see! Ah ha, Eureka! The first step is admition and just like toddlers, even adults need to be reminded over and over again until the apple finally hits us on the head. Being from a society where things like Acupuncture have been accepted for years, it's easy to look at this article, point and laugh. However, there are people out there who aren't convinced and for those people who need to be pointed in the right direction (minus the laughs), I'm happy for articles like those we've read in class that come from an arrogant point of view and claim new discoveries. It's a repetitive motion in our culture, just like when Colombus discovered America, right? Here we go! At least this "discovery" is a healing, holistic modality that will nourish our culture rather than fight it. Hallelujah!
I don't distinguish between the two. All systems are alive in some way, energentically, but how and what they're living is the question, among others I'm sure. A social system, a computer system, the endocrine system. The difference is what they live in - a body, a plant, a social structure. Everything is alive via energy.
2) What do you feel is the significance of the use of language and tools in chimps?
I don't feel that there is a significance there; it's just a fact. There is a species of monkey (I forget the name...I could look it up in the Smithsonian mag @ work) that actually shares with others. They were tested by being separated in cages. The monkey would actually share his/her food with their neighbor, without any expectation of something in return. A smootching noise made by an orangetan is a sign of backing off, it's definitely not an invitation for a kiss. Chimps and primates alike are amazing creatures and it saddens me (in a way) to think that we are so surprised at their intelligence, let alone other fellow creatures of this earth. Our similarities go deeper than just language and tools, we have boundaries, hearts, feelings, etc, etc. Tools are used to get by easier and languages we use to get our points across...basic foundations for intelligence.
3) Hmmmm..."Chinese Medicine Gaining Respectability in the West"...
Finally, another example of how we "the people" use a technique different from the "norm" and the media turns it into something that they discovered due to faith in users. Due to some people's lack of faith, this will be disected, criticized more, blown up and ultimately turned into a fad. Only, like Yoga, I like this fad. Baby steps for western media, baby steps. The lights are still dim, but I'll be happy for the day when they turn on full blast, they'll be able to see! Ah ha, Eureka! The first step is admition and just like toddlers, even adults need to be reminded over and over again until the apple finally hits us on the head. Being from a society where things like Acupuncture have been accepted for years, it's easy to look at this article, point and laugh. However, there are people out there who aren't convinced and for those people who need to be pointed in the right direction (minus the laughs), I'm happy for articles like those we've read in class that come from an arrogant point of view and claim new discoveries. It's a repetitive motion in our culture, just like when Colombus discovered America, right? Here we go! At least this "discovery" is a healing, holistic modality that will nourish our culture rather than fight it. Hallelujah!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Complexity of Life
1. Can diversification save species?
Yes, diversification can save species. Look at humans! If an Irish-man moves to Australia, his chance for getting sunburned is far greater than an Aborigini, due to the different levels of melatonin. By breeding, the offspring would most likely have far more melatonin and survive more comfortably in a warmer climate than his/her Irish descendants. Diversification saves species by leaving more room for adaptation.
2. The chicken or the egg?
Hmmmm...this article says the egg. I say that the chicken is the egg and the egg is the chicken. Who cares?!?!?! Why do scientists find it necessary to answer such silly questions? I would like to think that their education was put to better use by answering questions that really matter. They came up with an answer, the egg, but they're still arguing about it. It's just silly when you really think about it.
3. Broccoli
Oh, yes! I'm taking Dana Carvey's very professional opinion on this one and I'm 'choppin broccoli' for sure! Who knew that eating healthy contributes to a healthy chemical balance in your body that helps fight illnesses, such as cancer?!?!?!
Yes, diversification can save species. Look at humans! If an Irish-man moves to Australia, his chance for getting sunburned is far greater than an Aborigini, due to the different levels of melatonin. By breeding, the offspring would most likely have far more melatonin and survive more comfortably in a warmer climate than his/her Irish descendants. Diversification saves species by leaving more room for adaptation.
2. The chicken or the egg?
Hmmmm...this article says the egg. I say that the chicken is the egg and the egg is the chicken. Who cares?!?!?! Why do scientists find it necessary to answer such silly questions? I would like to think that their education was put to better use by answering questions that really matter. They came up with an answer, the egg, but they're still arguing about it. It's just silly when you really think about it.
3. Broccoli
Oh, yes! I'm taking Dana Carvey's very professional opinion on this one and I'm 'choppin broccoli' for sure! Who knew that eating healthy contributes to a healthy chemical balance in your body that helps fight illnesses, such as cancer?!?!?!
The Pattern of Life
1. Is there a drug around for just about everything?
Where's the drug that allows people to think for themselves, literally? The other day a friend of mine asked me for some Tylenol. I searched high and low, realizing I didn't have anything. Have a headache? Get a massage! The only way I could justify taking Tylenol is for the inflammatory effect. It definitely helps bring down swelling, but growing up, I thought it was the magic pill that took care of pain. It's not, and I know better now. I think the drug for everything is knowing that we have the power to heal ourselves. Science has it's place, but drugs should be almost a last resort.
2. Can we raise our levels of dopamine ourselves?
Yes...sex, drugs & rock n' roll. Just simply having fun doing things that we enjoy and achieving our goals increases our levels of dopamine. When we are deprived of dopamine, we crave it.
3. How do you think chimps and humans diverged as species?
I'm not sure why we grew apart. It could be quite simple. It could have something to do with migration. Perhaps vanity and social differences? What if clans were formed based on acceptance for looks? I'd like to think that wasn't the case, but humans still do that. Many couples even look like each other. With a small population, that's totally possible. I believe there are many reasons for our separation, but I am not sure.
Where's the drug that allows people to think for themselves, literally? The other day a friend of mine asked me for some Tylenol. I searched high and low, realizing I didn't have anything. Have a headache? Get a massage! The only way I could justify taking Tylenol is for the inflammatory effect. It definitely helps bring down swelling, but growing up, I thought it was the magic pill that took care of pain. It's not, and I know better now. I think the drug for everything is knowing that we have the power to heal ourselves. Science has it's place, but drugs should be almost a last resort.
2. Can we raise our levels of dopamine ourselves?
Yes...sex, drugs & rock n' roll. Just simply having fun doing things that we enjoy and achieving our goals increases our levels of dopamine. When we are deprived of dopamine, we crave it.
3. How do you think chimps and humans diverged as species?
I'm not sure why we grew apart. It could be quite simple. It could have something to do with migration. Perhaps vanity and social differences? What if clans were formed based on acceptance for looks? I'd like to think that wasn't the case, but humans still do that. Many couples even look like each other. With a small population, that's totally possible. I believe there are many reasons for our separation, but I am not sure.
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