125 – Coronavirus, systemic medical-care problems, self-care and humor sans humiliation

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After covering various issues surrounding the coronavirus, we explore ways that modern medicine has been falling short for patients in particular and humanity in general. Science journalist John Horgan noted key points from a recent book titled Medical Nihilism by Jacob Stegenga, which are as follows: medical research is slanted toward positive results; more rigorous studies show fewer benefits; drugs’ harmful effects are underreported; health care providers engage in “disease-mongering”; screening doesn’t save lives; and, modern medicine is overrated. Given the unscientific processes within the highly regulated and institutionalized medical profession, only emergency or acute care can be recommended. Taking care of yourself with optimal nutrition (low-carb Primal/carnivore) remains key. Finally, we reflect on parental disapproval during childhood; humiliation sacrifices self-esteem. We need to practice self-acceptance, self-empathy, and self-compassion in order to heal, and then we can engage in respectful, win/win humor. :)

Mark Edge and I broadcasting from Saipan
https://www.freetalklive.com/podcast/2020-02-06

Infectious Disease Expert Discusses What We Know about the New Virus in China by Tanya Lewis
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/infectious-disease-expert-discusses-what-we-know-about-the-new-virus-in-china1/

Coronavirus Is Spreading Because Humans Are Healthier: Medical advances have dramatically extended life spans worldwide, but investment in basic health care has not kept up. by Thomas J. Bollyky
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/02/coronavirus-spreading-because-humans-are-healthier/606448/#

Why 1984 Isn’t Banned in China: Censorship in the country is more complicated than many Westerners imagine. by Amy Hawkins and Jeffrey Wasserstrom
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/01/why-1984-and-animal-farm-arent-banned-china/580156/

Is Medicine Overrated? Given medicine’s poor record, physicians should prescribe and patients consume far fewer medications, a new book argues. by John Horgan
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/is-medicine-overrated/

Very promising psychedelic-assisted therapy research
https://maps.org/research

Chasing The Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari
http://chasingthescream.com

Couple notable episodes of Sean Carroll’s Mindscape podcast
https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2019/12/16/77-azra-raza-on-the-way-we-should-fight-cancer/
https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2019/07/22/56-kate-adamala-on-creating-synthetic-life/

Two books by Nathaniel Branden containing the important questions about childhood
https://www.amazon.com/Honoring-Self-Self-Esteem-Personal-Tranformation/dp/0553268147
https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Free-Nathaniel-Branden/dp/0553265881

Question #5. Did your parents communicate their disapproval of your thoughts, desires, or behavior by means of humor, teasing, or sarcasm?

bumper music
Kosheen – All in my head (Planet Funk Remix)
http://www.kosheen.com