"People should still eat healthy food" - do we rely too heavily on supplements to provide antioxidants?
Modern life makes it very difficult to maintain a healthy diet purely through eating well. Maybe we are too busy to cook or maybe we can't afford to eat as we would like. Either way supplements seem like a way to access nutrients we can't get through our diet. Unfortunately, supplements do not actually give us the nutrition we think and in some cases may hurt us. As hard as it can be to make happen, nothing is as effective as eating a diversity of nutrient dense food.
“Aspirin a day could dramatically cut cancer risk” What are your own thoughts on this?
I need more information to form an opinion. It is well known that aspirin can have negative side effects and the article does not address this. If aspirin has some benefits but harms our bodies in other ways, are we really better off?
Friday, July 31, 2015
Biochemistry Week Thirteen: Cell Biology and Radioactivity and Avogadro's Number
"An act that would create uniform GMO labeling throughout the United States passed the House..."
Are you encouraged?
Its unfortunate that this bill is so sneaky. Sounds like a good thing until you realize this is a means to pacify consumers by giving the appearance of GMO labeling. I hope it does not pass and stronger measures to label GMOs are put into place.
Are you encouraged?
Its unfortunate that this bill is so sneaky. Sounds like a good thing until you realize this is a means to pacify consumers by giving the appearance of GMO labeling. I hope it does not pass and stronger measures to label GMOs are put into place.
Biophysics Week Three: Bionics
Would you support the development of a “bionic” person?
No. I think its great that technology exists to give amputees or people born without limbs replacement limbs, but ultimately I do not trust where this technology my lead.
Would your opinion be any different if this were for a military purpose?
Nope nope nope. The article on military robotics sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I realize there is nothing that can be done to stop a future with bionic super soldiers and that to me is bizarre. A few years ago such a statement would have sounded like a looney conspiracy theory and today national military leaders and strategists are in talks to make it happen. Yikes.
No. I think its great that technology exists to give amputees or people born without limbs replacement limbs, but ultimately I do not trust where this technology my lead.
Would your opinion be any different if this were for a military purpose?
Nope nope nope. The article on military robotics sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I realize there is nothing that can be done to stop a future with bionic super soldiers and that to me is bizarre. A few years ago such a statement would have sounded like a looney conspiracy theory and today national military leaders and strategists are in talks to make it happen. Yikes.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Biology Week Eleven: Vaccination and Public Health
Should “parents take a more active role in designing their children’s immunization schedule”?
Parents should definitely take a role in understanding and designing their children't immunization schedule, but with fully informed information on the vaccines. I believe there are some very real concerns regarding vaccinations, but that the pros generally outweigh the cons. So perhaps parents should use discretion regarding a flu shot or a vaccine that is new on the market, particularly one that was rushed to the market such as Gardisil. But the tried and true vaccines that have nearly eradicated some very dangerous diseases should only be questioned if their child is immunocompromised.
Would you support making vaccination programs “compulsory”?
This is a hard question. On the one hand, it is unfair for parents to spare their children the risk of vaccination and rely on other vaccinated children for herd immunity. On the other hand, my first thought with this question was to think of Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade does not protect our right to choose to end a pregnancy, it protects our right to privacy. It protects our right to make decisions about our health without the interference of the community or the state. While I want people to take an active role in community health and I believe many public health interventions are important and necessary, I have a pretty intense distaste of the government forcing anyone how they may live their life or what they should do with their bodies. Where do we draw the line in regards to state intervention?
Parents should definitely take a role in understanding and designing their children't immunization schedule, but with fully informed information on the vaccines. I believe there are some very real concerns regarding vaccinations, but that the pros generally outweigh the cons. So perhaps parents should use discretion regarding a flu shot or a vaccine that is new on the market, particularly one that was rushed to the market such as Gardisil. But the tried and true vaccines that have nearly eradicated some very dangerous diseases should only be questioned if their child is immunocompromised.
Would you support making vaccination programs “compulsory”?
This is a hard question. On the one hand, it is unfair for parents to spare their children the risk of vaccination and rely on other vaccinated children for herd immunity. On the other hand, my first thought with this question was to think of Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade does not protect our right to choose to end a pregnancy, it protects our right to privacy. It protects our right to make decisions about our health without the interference of the community or the state. While I want people to take an active role in community health and I believe many public health interventions are important and necessary, I have a pretty intense distaste of the government forcing anyone how they may live their life or what they should do with their bodies. Where do we draw the line in regards to state intervention?
Chemistry Week Eleven: Cell Biology and Radioactivity
I looked a little into the group that wanted to build a power plant in Fresno, which I spoke about last week. It looks like the Fresno Nuclear Energy Group had planned on building an European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) but have since switched their efforts to other energy projects. Despite claims of safety and nuclear as the "greenest" energy source, it seems that the EPR had some design-safety issues that were cause for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and nuclear safety officials in various European countries to challenge the makers of EPR.
Its strange to me that proponents of nuclear energy continue to claim that nuclear energy is safe and green despite what we know about the incredible amounts of water wasted/polluted to cool down the reactors. Additionally, perhaps they could convince me nuclear is safe as long as the reactors are in 100% prime working condition and no errors are made, but proponents of nuclear energy clearly have more faith in humanity than I do. What makes them believe that human error is out of the question?
I would like more information. I want to understand why they believe in nuclear energy. Is it really safe as long as there is not human error? Is my opposition to nuclear some knee-jerk reaction of a person who doesn't know any better?
Honestly, theres a part of me that thinks "if nuclear energy is good enough for the Star Trek universe, shouldn't it be good enough for me?" But I can't imagine we are anywhere near the technology necessary to actually make nuclear safe.
Below are two links with some information about the proposed plant and the switch the Fresno Nuclear Energy Group made after they realized their power plant plan was never going to work out. If you want more information about how we challenged and disrupted this proposal, feel free to ask. That action was a lot of fun ;)
http://fresnoalliance.com/wordpress/?p=2836
http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/energy-and-environment/11349-fresno
Its strange to me that proponents of nuclear energy continue to claim that nuclear energy is safe and green despite what we know about the incredible amounts of water wasted/polluted to cool down the reactors. Additionally, perhaps they could convince me nuclear is safe as long as the reactors are in 100% prime working condition and no errors are made, but proponents of nuclear energy clearly have more faith in humanity than I do. What makes them believe that human error is out of the question?
I would like more information. I want to understand why they believe in nuclear energy. Is it really safe as long as there is not human error? Is my opposition to nuclear some knee-jerk reaction of a person who doesn't know any better?
Honestly, theres a part of me that thinks "if nuclear energy is good enough for the Star Trek universe, shouldn't it be good enough for me?" But I can't imagine we are anywhere near the technology necessary to actually make nuclear safe.
Below are two links with some information about the proposed plant and the switch the Fresno Nuclear Energy Group made after they realized their power plant plan was never going to work out. If you want more information about how we challenged and disrupted this proposal, feel free to ask. That action was a lot of fun ;)
http://fresnoalliance.com/wordpress/?p=2836
http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/energy-and-environment/11349-fresno
Biophysics Week Two: Energy Medicine and Energy Fields
Acupuncture as effective energy medicine
In yoga, I have heard instructors talk about the potential for emotional experiences through hip work because that is where we hold our trauma. I have never consciously experienced this myself, but friends have. The only way this effect makes any sense is to look at the energetic body and how it connects with the physical body.
Acupuncture works on the body in a way that doesn't always make sense to a westerner. How can sticking a need in a point on my head relax my entire body or cause euphoria? Or how does a needle in my hand or foot help ease the chronic back pain I have lived with for years? It is hard to understand without a firm grasp of the principles behind TCM, and yet it works.
Clearly the body is far more powerful and energetically charged then the western viewpoint will allow, acupuncture is an incredible medicine for healing on both the energetic and physical level, and more importantly, for helping to shatter the dichotomy that tells us those are two different things.
What conclusions can you draw from Kirlian photography
I would love to see an example of Kirlian photography or have my photo taken. Until then I can't draw any conclusions as there could be other explanations than photographing an aura.
Human intent as it affects health
Intention is probably one of the most powerful medicines. TCM encourages us to be active participants in our health, a drastic difference from allopathic medicine. Whereas some people just want the doctor to prescribe a pill rather than make lifestyle changes, TCM engages our intention to wellness.
Intention is a powerful driving force for outcomes. I think of my grandmothers. My Grandma had a stroke 15-20 years ago and gave up. She never regained full use of her right side despite the fact that with PT she could have and her health has declined ever since. On the other hand, my Granny is 10 years older than my Grandma and still active, smart, growing as a person. She has been in the hospital for various heart or hip issues plenty of times and every time her attitude is admirable. Intention is powerful.
In yoga, I have heard instructors talk about the potential for emotional experiences through hip work because that is where we hold our trauma. I have never consciously experienced this myself, but friends have. The only way this effect makes any sense is to look at the energetic body and how it connects with the physical body.
Acupuncture works on the body in a way that doesn't always make sense to a westerner. How can sticking a need in a point on my head relax my entire body or cause euphoria? Or how does a needle in my hand or foot help ease the chronic back pain I have lived with for years? It is hard to understand without a firm grasp of the principles behind TCM, and yet it works.
Clearly the body is far more powerful and energetically charged then the western viewpoint will allow, acupuncture is an incredible medicine for healing on both the energetic and physical level, and more importantly, for helping to shatter the dichotomy that tells us those are two different things.
What conclusions can you draw from Kirlian photography
I would love to see an example of Kirlian photography or have my photo taken. Until then I can't draw any conclusions as there could be other explanations than photographing an aura.
Human intent as it affects health
Intention is probably one of the most powerful medicines. TCM encourages us to be active participants in our health, a drastic difference from allopathic medicine. Whereas some people just want the doctor to prescribe a pill rather than make lifestyle changes, TCM engages our intention to wellness.
Intention is a powerful driving force for outcomes. I think of my grandmothers. My Grandma had a stroke 15-20 years ago and gave up. She never regained full use of her right side despite the fact that with PT she could have and her health has declined ever since. On the other hand, my Granny is 10 years older than my Grandma and still active, smart, growing as a person. She has been in the hospital for various heart or hip issues plenty of times and every time her attitude is admirable. Intention is powerful.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Biology Week Ten: Restoring the American Bison to its rightful range
How would you prioritize the reintroduction of the American Bison?
I would prioritize the reintroduction of the Bison and many other natural resources by redirecting the country's priorities entirely. I would adjust all foreign policy to an isolationist stance and domestic policies would focus on redistribution of wealth and resources so that we could on the one hand rebuild the infrastructure of this country and on the other hand do so in a way that worked with the natural environment instead of against it. By this I mean, the investment in infrastructure would focus on renewable resources, would find ways to fix our roads with out relying on mining, and would not cut off habitats from each other (I believe it was in this class that we read about land bridges that allow ecosystems across highways to remain connected).
All of this is to say, I would prioritize the ecosystem in general and endangered species such as the Bison would be a part of that vision.
“...we had six grizzly bears, and the Canyon pack of wolves that were all visible in the morning, and throughout the day. And really, all week.”
Do you feel we are resetting the natural balance here?
I think it is a start but we are far from resetting the balance. To think that upwards of 60 million bison were slaughtered and today there are 250,000, it is laughable to say they are no longer endangered. Six bears and a pack of wolves over the course of a week is probably not very much compared to what the First Nations saw before the settler-invaders came.
I would prioritize the reintroduction of the Bison and many other natural resources by redirecting the country's priorities entirely. I would adjust all foreign policy to an isolationist stance and domestic policies would focus on redistribution of wealth and resources so that we could on the one hand rebuild the infrastructure of this country and on the other hand do so in a way that worked with the natural environment instead of against it. By this I mean, the investment in infrastructure would focus on renewable resources, would find ways to fix our roads with out relying on mining, and would not cut off habitats from each other (I believe it was in this class that we read about land bridges that allow ecosystems across highways to remain connected).
All of this is to say, I would prioritize the ecosystem in general and endangered species such as the Bison would be a part of that vision.
“...we had six grizzly bears, and the Canyon pack of wolves that were all visible in the morning, and throughout the day. And really, all week.”
Do you feel we are resetting the natural balance here?
I think it is a start but we are far from resetting the balance. To think that upwards of 60 million bison were slaughtered and today there are 250,000, it is laughable to say they are no longer endangered. Six bears and a pack of wolves over the course of a week is probably not very much compared to what the First Nations saw before the settler-invaders came.
Chemistry Week Ten: the Chemistry of Life
Post a comment on one of the discussion items in class
The article on the overuse of antibiotics and their effect on weight is quite ironic and kind of infuriating. On the one hand, the western, pharma-driven medical model stuffed us full of their antibiotics well past what was medically responsible and that may have caused children to gain weight. On the other hand, the western medical model's attitudes towards weight gain is incredibly problematic. To this day, doctors use the BMI, an incredibly useless tool that tells us absolutely nothing about a person's health, and focus on weight as opposed to health, despite evidence that "moderately overweight" people tend to be some of the healthiest. So irresponsible medical practices likely contributed to the "overweight"-ness to begin with, then chubby patients have to deal with doctors who practice sloppy medicine by judging the weight instead of the health behaviors. Fellow classmates and future doctors, please, for the love of all things, don't use the BMI in your future practice. A tool that only considers height times weight tells you nothing about your patient's bone density, muscle-to-fat ratio, eating habits, exercise routine, genetics, etc. Don't use the BMI. Just don't.
Select one of the "Definitions of the Chemistry of Life" and post your thoughts.
"Biochemistry is an excellent foundation for the study of Medicine"
Biochemistry is an important foundation for my path to medicine. I was not raised utilizing TCM, although I did receive acupuncture for back pain in high school. I believe in the medicine but was not raised within a TCM paradigm, so the view of the body and how the medicine works is still something for me to piece together. Learning about the biochemical processes of the body are particularly useful for me to get some grounding as I begin this path to TCM.
The article on the overuse of antibiotics and their effect on weight is quite ironic and kind of infuriating. On the one hand, the western, pharma-driven medical model stuffed us full of their antibiotics well past what was medically responsible and that may have caused children to gain weight. On the other hand, the western medical model's attitudes towards weight gain is incredibly problematic. To this day, doctors use the BMI, an incredibly useless tool that tells us absolutely nothing about a person's health, and focus on weight as opposed to health, despite evidence that "moderately overweight" people tend to be some of the healthiest. So irresponsible medical practices likely contributed to the "overweight"-ness to begin with, then chubby patients have to deal with doctors who practice sloppy medicine by judging the weight instead of the health behaviors. Fellow classmates and future doctors, please, for the love of all things, don't use the BMI in your future practice. A tool that only considers height times weight tells you nothing about your patient's bone density, muscle-to-fat ratio, eating habits, exercise routine, genetics, etc. Don't use the BMI. Just don't.
Select one of the "Definitions of the Chemistry of Life" and post your thoughts.
"Biochemistry is an excellent foundation for the study of Medicine"
Biochemistry is an important foundation for my path to medicine. I was not raised utilizing TCM, although I did receive acupuncture for back pain in high school. I believe in the medicine but was not raised within a TCM paradigm, so the view of the body and how the medicine works is still something for me to piece together. Learning about the biochemical processes of the body are particularly useful for me to get some grounding as I begin this path to TCM.
Biophysics Week One: Life and Living Systems
I know I’m a “living system” because…….
I assume I am a living system because this body I live in is relatively functional. I know it is hard at work to keep me moving around and it lets me know when its time to fill it with snacks and water to keep it going. When I eat good things it works well, when I fill it with sugary or processed food like substances it doesn't work as well. The system essentially rejects my use of subpar fuels. I believe this system to be "living" because as far as I can tell the whole system works according to my conscious and unconscious intentions, which leads me to believe that the system and I are a cohesive unit. And I'm pretty sure I'm alive. I doubt they have things like rent and bills wherever we go when we die, unless we reincarnate, in which case I would be alive again.
Post a comment on one of this evening's discussions
At different points in the term we have talked about the universe in both the most macroscopic and microscopic terms. From the vastness of the universe to infinitely small subatomic particles, we are exploring the rules, structures, habits, and perspectives of the natural world. In "Sondra Barrett found God through a microscope" I was struck by the similarity between Barrett's drive to show people the art of the microscopic world and the reactions to the first image of the earth from space. Each represent a paradigm-shifting look at the world in a whole new way. Each were an opportunity to show the general public that the universe is far more complex then we could ever comprehend. Call it god or call it science or whatever name you choose, but we can't ignore that what we see through a microscope, the microscopic innards of a plant or some such specimen, is proof of a world that is complicated and beautiful!
I assume I am a living system because this body I live in is relatively functional. I know it is hard at work to keep me moving around and it lets me know when its time to fill it with snacks and water to keep it going. When I eat good things it works well, when I fill it with sugary or processed food like substances it doesn't work as well. The system essentially rejects my use of subpar fuels. I believe this system to be "living" because as far as I can tell the whole system works according to my conscious and unconscious intentions, which leads me to believe that the system and I are a cohesive unit. And I'm pretty sure I'm alive. I doubt they have things like rent and bills wherever we go when we die, unless we reincarnate, in which case I would be alive again.
Post a comment on one of this evening's discussions
At different points in the term we have talked about the universe in both the most macroscopic and microscopic terms. From the vastness of the universe to infinitely small subatomic particles, we are exploring the rules, structures, habits, and perspectives of the natural world. In "Sondra Barrett found God through a microscope" I was struck by the similarity between Barrett's drive to show people the art of the microscopic world and the reactions to the first image of the earth from space. Each represent a paradigm-shifting look at the world in a whole new way. Each were an opportunity to show the general public that the universe is far more complex then we could ever comprehend. Call it god or call it science or whatever name you choose, but we can't ignore that what we see through a microscope, the microscopic innards of a plant or some such specimen, is proof of a world that is complicated and beautiful!
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Biology Week Nine: Ecosystems and Deep Ecology
What do you think about the “eight-point Deep Ecology Platform”?
I imagine this list was quite radical when it was first proposed, and maybe it is still radical for some. I believe we live in a beautiful and diverse world and I don't understand the inclination to waste or use and abuse any of it. Growing up in the central valley there was always some environmental issue being raised. Depletion of the salmon in the San Joaquin, whether or not to allow a cement company to rip the top off a mountain (that just so happened to be sacred to the Choinumni Yokuts), increased asthma due to smog. Politicians and business men are so willing to sign away our natural world in exchange for profits or political backing. I just don't get a worldview that sees nature as a lifeless thing to be conquered. The earth is not a big box store full of resources to plunder, it is a finite resource that will continue to produce for us only so long as we DO NOT DESTROY HER. Seems simple enough to me! I think the Eight-Point Deep Ecology Platform is a very concise way to address the paradigm shifts that are necessary if we as a species want to survive or at least leave behind a planet that can overcome the damage we've done once we plunder our way to extinction.
Can you explain why “Ecosystems are both strong and fragile”?
The earth is incredibly resilient and I hope it will be able to recover from the damage done by humans. Ecosystems are both strong and fragile as they are adaptable and yet the smallest change can have devastating effects.
I imagine this list was quite radical when it was first proposed, and maybe it is still radical for some. I believe we live in a beautiful and diverse world and I don't understand the inclination to waste or use and abuse any of it. Growing up in the central valley there was always some environmental issue being raised. Depletion of the salmon in the San Joaquin, whether or not to allow a cement company to rip the top off a mountain (that just so happened to be sacred to the Choinumni Yokuts), increased asthma due to smog. Politicians and business men are so willing to sign away our natural world in exchange for profits or political backing. I just don't get a worldview that sees nature as a lifeless thing to be conquered. The earth is not a big box store full of resources to plunder, it is a finite resource that will continue to produce for us only so long as we DO NOT DESTROY HER. Seems simple enough to me! I think the Eight-Point Deep Ecology Platform is a very concise way to address the paradigm shifts that are necessary if we as a species want to survive or at least leave behind a planet that can overcome the damage we've done once we plunder our way to extinction.
Can you explain why “Ecosystems are both strong and fragile”?
The earth is incredibly resilient and I hope it will be able to recover from the damage done by humans. Ecosystems are both strong and fragile as they are adaptable and yet the smallest change can have devastating effects.
Physics Week Nine: Synthesis
My E-Prime Day - describe your day, only using English Prime
I woke up and wondered what time it was. My room seemed cool and dark enough that I did not think it was late yet in the day. I saw Hollybear, the dog laying next to me, wag her tail slightly, a movement I took to mean "good morning." Slowly I stumbled upstairs into the house and said "good morning" to my roommate. We talked as I chopped vegetables. I finished preparing my meal and sat down to eat. I felt a sense of gratitude for the abundance of food I have access to. I washed my dishes and grabbed Hollybear's leash. She jumped with what I assume to be joy and wagged her tail, a movement I took to mean "I approve, human." We walked our usual route, saying hello to a woman I used to work with and then to a neighbor. The neighbor has a pit bull who seems very sweet and well taken care of to me. Hollybear and Taya, the pit bull, wrestled around in the yard for a little bit as the neighbor and I talked. I then took Hollybear home, pet the other dog that is staying with us for the week, and got my things together. My bike ride to the coffee shop was relatively short, but enjoyable. The breeze seemed just right to me, just cool enough. The coffee tasted good and strong and left my cup quicker than I would have liked. And here I sit, listening to music, typing, enjoying some coffee, occasionally getting distracted by the comings and goings of other people in the coffee shop.
How might you synthesize eastern and western ideas in Physics?
"As above, so below"
Whether you turn to science, religion, or spirituality, we are all trying to describe the same thing. We use different languages and systems, and some approaches to description may be more "accurate" than others, but essentially we each use our own cultural/idealogical framework to describe the structures and mechanisms of the world around us. I say "accurate" with respect to traditions I disagree with, but aware that some descriptions of the structures of the universe are more verifiable than others. This class has given us a basic foundation in natural philosophy to articulate the structures of our reality in a way that aligns with eastern traditions such as Taoism and Hinduism, and vice versa. I have had the opportunity to learn from a professor and classmates who have a deeper connection to their spiritual path then I, and to interweave their insight to a better understanding of physics. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I often feel pressured to deny the interconnectedness of this world, ideas that Taoism and Sufism have bolstered in me, but that I did not have empirical evidence for. I see now that quantum physics does present scientific evidence for a deeply interconnected universe (and that sometimes you have to live with uncertainty to get closer to the Truth). I look forward to continuing to learn about those connections, from both a physics perspective and from the Taoism and TCM perspectives.
I woke up and wondered what time it was. My room seemed cool and dark enough that I did not think it was late yet in the day. I saw Hollybear, the dog laying next to me, wag her tail slightly, a movement I took to mean "good morning." Slowly I stumbled upstairs into the house and said "good morning" to my roommate. We talked as I chopped vegetables. I finished preparing my meal and sat down to eat. I felt a sense of gratitude for the abundance of food I have access to. I washed my dishes and grabbed Hollybear's leash. She jumped with what I assume to be joy and wagged her tail, a movement I took to mean "I approve, human." We walked our usual route, saying hello to a woman I used to work with and then to a neighbor. The neighbor has a pit bull who seems very sweet and well taken care of to me. Hollybear and Taya, the pit bull, wrestled around in the yard for a little bit as the neighbor and I talked. I then took Hollybear home, pet the other dog that is staying with us for the week, and got my things together. My bike ride to the coffee shop was relatively short, but enjoyable. The breeze seemed just right to me, just cool enough. The coffee tasted good and strong and left my cup quicker than I would have liked. And here I sit, listening to music, typing, enjoying some coffee, occasionally getting distracted by the comings and goings of other people in the coffee shop.
How might you synthesize eastern and western ideas in Physics?
"As above, so below"
Whether you turn to science, religion, or spirituality, we are all trying to describe the same thing. We use different languages and systems, and some approaches to description may be more "accurate" than others, but essentially we each use our own cultural/idealogical framework to describe the structures and mechanisms of the world around us. I say "accurate" with respect to traditions I disagree with, but aware that some descriptions of the structures of the universe are more verifiable than others. This class has given us a basic foundation in natural philosophy to articulate the structures of our reality in a way that aligns with eastern traditions such as Taoism and Hinduism, and vice versa. I have had the opportunity to learn from a professor and classmates who have a deeper connection to their spiritual path then I, and to interweave their insight to a better understanding of physics. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I often feel pressured to deny the interconnectedness of this world, ideas that Taoism and Sufism have bolstered in me, but that I did not have empirical evidence for. I see now that quantum physics does present scientific evidence for a deeply interconnected universe (and that sometimes you have to live with uncertainty to get closer to the Truth). I look forward to continuing to learn about those connections, from both a physics perspective and from the Taoism and TCM perspectives.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Biology Week Eight: Cell Biology: HIV and AIDS
Until recently we actually had a very strong approach to HIV, in the bay/California anyway. HIV is one service area that used to get very strong funding to reach people in the way that worked for them. Many HIV service organizations are more or less harm refuction based and generally "for us, by us." Meaning that staff at many HIV orgs are either living with HIV, currently or previously high risk for HIV, or have been in the fight since the beginning of the epidemic. There used to be ample funding for HIV specific clinics. Which is really important, especially a place like Oakland where both the rate of HIV and stigma. against HIV are very high. People living with the virus go to great lengths to hide their status, and deal with a lot of stigma even from non-HIV trained providers. So highly specialized clinics staffed with providers with strong counseling skills are crucial in the fight to get to an AIDS free generation. There are finding streams to ensure that anyone living with HIV can access medical care and medicine, as well as other services.
Unfortunately, this is changing. Funding sources have been cut year after year. Now that people are living longer, the powers that be are moving towards integrating HIV care into the medical home model, which would be incredibly problematic!! There's been a move towards focusing on treatment of pos people as prevention and less focus on education and testing/counseling. As the funding goes away and the emphasis on specialized services erodes, we're basically shooting ourselves in the foot.
Unfortunately, this is changing. Funding sources have been cut year after year. Now that people are living longer, the powers that be are moving towards integrating HIV care into the medical home model, which would be incredibly problematic!! There's been a move towards focusing on treatment of pos people as prevention and less focus on education and testing/counseling. As the funding goes away and the emphasis on specialized services erodes, we're basically shooting ourselves in the foot.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Physics Week Eight: Classical Physics
Descartes really does have a lot to answer for! Its understandable that, in a time that was resisting the politically potent superstition of the Church, many scientists would develop a paradigm that drastically removed any hint of mysticism from their research methods. However, the idea our beautiful bodies (and fellow creatures) are simply mechanical devices goes too far in the opposite direction. Neither view point has the balance or nuance necessary to adequately explain the world around us. I think the concept of objectivity is such a fallacy and the last few centuries have produced copious amounts of biased research that deem themselves objective and empirical and infallible cuz "Hey! We Tested it! We Have Proof!" However, unexamined biases have "proven" all sorts of sexist, racist, imperialist, and speciesist nonsense. Now we must battle against the hegemony of Cartesian "reason" and deconstruct deeply held notions regarding the mechanical world of clock humans and dumb, soulless beasts. Thanks a lot Descartes!
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