Philosophy Now Forum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGuXCuDb1U

Yeah I realise you have to watch a link, no I don't care that you have far better things to do than spend 5 minutes watching a link, so with that in mind what do you think of this attack on spiritualism and mystical stuff?

Do you think Tim Minchan has a good point, or are you on Storm's side?

"Storm to her credit despite my derision keeps firing off clichés with startling precision, like a sniper using bollocks for ammunition."

Blaggard wrote:Do you think Tim Minchan has a good point, or are you on Storm's side?

Somewhere in the past I've apparently read the lyrics to this. Storm seems a far cry from the best that the "other side" might have to argue for it; and upon reflection I'm a tad startled to discover I can't wholly mitigate that with a "But OTOH she is quite the cardboard cut-out of this sort which I usually encounter in everyday life." Since Minchan may have essentially set himself up with a shooting fish in a barrel scenario in terms of competition, I'm curiously reluctant to high-five him in any instances where I'd agree.

Storm wrote:"Pharmaceutical companies are the enemy
They promote drug dependency at the cost of the natural remedies that are all our bodies need
They are immoral and driven by greed.
Why take drugs when herbs can solve it?
Why use chemicals when homeopathic solvents can resolve it?
I think it's time we all return-to-live with natural medical alternatives."

I believe that the majority of people do need to rely exclusively upon their medical community and the Big Pharma establishment to rescue them from their horrible eating habits, lack of exercise and carelessness; and of course those illnesses and injuries which they were fated to eventually have no matter what. And the same mainstream experts / practitioners should likewise treat them for any "vicious" circle of side effects stemming from prescription drugs which they take; by treating those secondary conditions with yet more medications (or operations if necessary). Especially since most of these folks would probably be either indolent or dangerously inept at utilizing "alternative medicine"--not being able to discriminate among the good, the bad, the useless and the ludicrous.

In terms of myself, however, I am a walking cliche: "Have not been examined by a doctor / had a hospital stay in decades (since childhood). Do what is necessary to keep it that way for as long as possible in terms of good diet and physical work. Have gradually discovered supplements and home / old timer remedies that correct what problems do arise... yata, yata, yata."

I fully expect to die circa age 65 from some predicament that only surgery or early diagnosis could have saved me from; but that's alright. I do not adhere to this physician-less lifestyle so as to live longer than my friends, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers; but rather to have enjoyed a very long sequence of years that were minus all the clinic / hospital / pharmacy / therapy trips, tribulations, and assorted miseries / annoyances which most of them have repeatedly endured / still endure.

65 is lower than the national average for men in the US. I'm aiming for 80 odd. If I have to take medication in my 70+ years then so be it...

Blaggard wrote:65 is lower than the national average for men in the US. I'm aiming for 80 odd. If I have to take medication in my 70+ years then so be it...

I've got a still highly active 82 year old aunt that has likewise avoided the medical establishment, but with the difference that she is driven by a true dislike and distrust of it. Unlike Storm, however, she doesn't care for the so-called "alternatives", either.

I prefer to be pessimistic that I won't be as long-term lucky as my aunt, since publicly expressed boastful optimism about other matters in the past has gotten me jinxed at times. Yeah, I know that sounds superstitious, but inferring rules / concepts from one's own personal experiences variously either refines or outright trumps generalizations derived from the bulk population (as far having a customized guideline system for one's own specific life goes). When giving advice to "clients" and "industry" associates, however, I stick with the formal rotes and canon dispensed by the applicable authorities / institutions. For pretty much the same motive as most organizations which have buckled to this or that pile of social-engineering #### over the decades: Avoid leaving ursine attractants for litigious wildlife in the business "campsite".

hammock wrote:

Blaggard wrote:65 is lower than the national average for men in the US. I'm aiming for 80 odd. If I have to take medication in my 70+ years then so be it...

I've got a still highly active 82 year old aunt that has likewise avoided the medical establishment, but with the difference that she is driven by a true dislike and distrust of it. Unlike Storm, however, she doesn't care for the so-called "alternatives", either.

I prefer to be pessimistic that I won't be as long-term lucky as my aunt, since publicly expressed boastful optimism about other matters in the past has gotten me jinxed at times. Yeah, I know that sounds superstitious, but inferring rules / concepts from one's own personal experiences variously either refines or outright trumps generalizations derived from the bulk population (as far having a customized guideline system for one's own specific life goes). When giving advice to "clients" and "industry" associates, however, I stick with the formal rotes and canon dispensed by the applicable authorities / institutions. For pretty much the same motive as most organizations which have buckled to this or that pile of social-engineering #### over the decades: Avoid leaving ursine attractants for litigious wildlife in the business "campsite".

Meh that's cool Hammock you seem to have a healthy mentality and let's hope it reflects on a healthy person. The OP was not meant to condemn the medical profession or alternative medicine, just people who have unrealistic ideas that really only reflect their own biases.

Live long and prosper.