Back to Basics
Ramblings, Philosophy February 2nd. 2008, 11:19amI’ve haven’t been writing much recently, and when I have it’s been increasingly political. It’s an exercise in futility to try to inject common sense into politics, so it’s time to get back to basics.
What are some other common sense things that I could write about? Just to get the wheels spinning, let’s go with a random list of things you should know if you’re old enough to have pubic hair…
General Stuff
- The word “utilize” is just about entirely and universally unnecessary.
- Respect is earned… and easily lost when it’s only given because of your age.
- The promotion of Restless Legs Syndrome is a prime example of disease mongering. In matters of personal health, it’s best to consider the source and their vested interest in supplying the health information.
- There is an enormous difference between trust and faith, you would do well to learn it.
Fashion
- Axe body spray makes you smell like shit when you basically shower in it.
- Popped Collars have an inverse relationship with level of intelligence.
- Crocs are not meant to be worn in public. The only thing they go with is involuntary abstinence.
Academics
- Evolution is real… I know, because Noah didn’t have this thing on his boat.
- Numbers are not interchangeable with words in your sentences… “4″ is not an acceptable abbreviation of “for”.
- Just because there are two sides to every issue doesn’t mean that both sides are equal.
Driving
- The left lane is for passing ONLY. If you’re not passing someone, you don’t belong there.
- The on-ramp is for accelerating, not coasting.
- If you’re talking on your phone, you shouldn’t be driving. Period.
- If you’re texting and driving, then any attempt on your life is justifiable homicide.
Religion
- Santa Claus is real… all you need is faith.
- Xenu is real… all you need is faith.
- Jesus was not born in December… The Christians arbitrarily put it there to steal the celebration from the Pagans and profit off its popularity.
- See the quote adorning the top of the page.
Money
- $150 is too much to spend on shoes if you, or anyone older than you in your family, relies on an hourly wage for their primary source of income.
- Chances are, you have no idea about economic, monetary, or fiscal management even though it affects everything you do.
- Emergencies aside, your credit card debt is, most likely, all your fault.
Ahhh, now that feels good. All that common sense purged from my brain. It’s so… refreshing.
Of course, it’s not an exhaustive list, but it makes me feel better. And really, isn’t that what a blog is all about?
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February 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 am
Hi,
As a doctor who has been dealing with restless legs syndrome for over 20 years–long before there were drugs to treat it–I resent the fact that you would belittle this condition that causes many people to suffer. I appreciate your opinions on issues that you know something about, but RLS is a true disease, the genetic causes are known, and I hope that those people who have it do not see your insulting comments. You can view my many comments about this issue of prescription drugs and RLS on my blog at:
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/blogs/my_weblog
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Thanks for your reply, Steve. Looking back, I can see how my declaration can be taken that way - more inflammatory than intended. Perhaps, a level of detail that does not lend itself to a bullet point is more in order.
I only pick on Restless Legs Syndrome as one example of a disorder that found a drug, and all of the sudden became something that everyone with leg pain or a subconscious habit should ask their doctor about. No doubt that some who thought they were alone found comfort in the fact that they weren’t the only ones to experience the symptoms. But the discovery and subsequent promotion of the drug has convinced many with a fraction of the symptoms - either in quantity or severity - that they are one of the afflicted.
It’s simply one disorder that is used for disease mongering: Giving Legs to Restless Legs
The fact that a genetic link for RLS has been discovered is inconsequential to the matter of enlarging the market for the drug that treats it. It’s promotion has only given people an excuse to dismiss any personal responsibility for their symptoms that could easily be caused by poor diet, obesity, or lack of physical activity. The burden of responsibility is lifted from their shoulders, and attributed to something which they have no control over. Luckily, all they have to do is buy and ingest a pill that treats the symptoms, without worrying about the personal habits and lifestyle choices that affect the feelings and comfort in their legs.
Nevertheless, I have fixed the comment to more accurately reflect the common sense I was trying to convey, which was more about the promotion of drugs in general rather than a specific disease.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
General Stuff
Chris: “There is an enormous difference between trust and faith”
The same can be said of truth and faith. In the best of situations, I think faith is accepting as fact what cannot be known. In the worst it is accepting as fact what is known to be false.
I addition, faith is easy and free. We can never be certain of truth, and the pursuit of it will consume all our effort and our lives.
Fashion
huh? … what is “Axe body spray”? … and I have no clue what “Popped Collars” or “Crocs” refer to
Academics
Chris: “Just because there are two sides to every issue doesn’t mean that both sides are equal.”
When the *merits* are not equal the variance is not the matter of opinion, it is a matter of the merit (ex: scientific merit of ID).
Driving
I agree on all points … even if it makes me a hypocrite
Money
If it makes you happy, spend as you like. If you are unhappy about the consequences, then you are an irrational idiot.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Axe body spray is that stuff that promises a virtual harem of girls will tackle you the instant you spray it on yourself. It’s a hybrid between cologne and deodorant that’s often applied in copious amounts by impressionable young men that think it’s an actual aphrodisiac.
This is what popped collars look like. The urban dictionary gives a pretty accurate definition.
And finally, crocs are a rubbery material posing as a shoe, slipper, or sandal. People have been lauding them as the most comfortable “shoe” known to man. And somehow that makes it okay to wear them out of the house, even though they don’t match a single article of clothing ever made, besides - maybe - a mumu.