http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/04/28/fast.food.toys.california/index.html
Not if you keep rewarding your kids for eating slop: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/17/health/17obese.html
I think Santa Clara county's plan of banning toys from some fast food kids' meals is a wonderful excuse for politicians to meddle in our personal affairs.
Now, we just gotta get parents to to stop using the "we'll go to McDonalds if you. . ." line so kids will stop connecting that grease sensor on their tongues with the reward center in their little brains. De-Pavlov their little behinds, I say!
Oh, and I've thrown in a link that'll take you to an excerpt from the book, Fast Food Nation, just for good measure: http://www.rense.com/general7/whyy.htm
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
So now they're legalizing the racial profiling of Latinos
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/23/obama.immigration/index.html?hpt=T1
This makes me SO furious. I can't wait to show my disapproval at the CATA march and rally for immigrant workers' rights in Kennett on May 1st. Contact me if you'd like more information about the location and time.
This makes me SO furious. I can't wait to show my disapproval at the CATA march and rally for immigrant workers' rights in Kennett on May 1st. Contact me if you'd like more information about the location and time.
Friday, April 16, 2010
So, they've found more physical evidence of what makes us human
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627565.600-empathetic-mirror-neurons-found-in-humans-at-last.html
So, two things came to mind when I read this article. . .
First, I immediately thought of Symbolic Interactionism and how cool it is that we now have physical evidence of one of its major components. If only Mead, Cooley, Goffman, and Blumer were alive today to see this. . . :)
Secondly, I thought about Asperger's Syndrome. Instead of wasting time finding a way to block these precious neurons (because I honestly can't think of a circumstance where we'd want a person to have less of these. . .unless you're one of those transhumanist activists who wants to see Huxley's work become a reality), I think it would behoove researchers to see if there are diminished and/or non-existent levels of these neurons in persons with AS and other empathy-lacking conditions, and if so, how we can increase the amount in their brains.
So, two things came to mind when I read this article. . .
First, I immediately thought of Symbolic Interactionism and how cool it is that we now have physical evidence of one of its major components. If only Mead, Cooley, Goffman, and Blumer were alive today to see this. . . :)
Secondly, I thought about Asperger's Syndrome. Instead of wasting time finding a way to block these precious neurons (because I honestly can't think of a circumstance where we'd want a person to have less of these. . .unless you're one of those transhumanist activists who wants to see Huxley's work become a reality), I think it would behoove researchers to see if there are diminished and/or non-existent levels of these neurons in persons with AS and other empathy-lacking conditions, and if so, how we can increase the amount in their brains.
So they're saying. . .Triclosan BAD
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627564.300-health-worries-over-antibacterial-soap-additive.html
Hmm, I wonder if these antibacterial soaps haven't only contributed to the existence of postmodern superbugs and our diminished ability to fight off infections on our own. . .but if they're also partially responsible for our obesity epidemic because of their effects on thyroid hormones. . .
I know with my own issue of recurring ovarian cysts (due to imbalanced sex hormone levels), I plan on steering clear of the crap
Hmm, I wonder if these antibacterial soaps haven't only contributed to the existence of postmodern superbugs and our diminished ability to fight off infections on our own. . .but if they're also partially responsible for our obesity epidemic because of their effects on thyroid hormones. . .
I know with my own issue of recurring ovarian cysts (due to imbalanced sex hormone levels), I plan on steering clear of the crap
Sunday, April 11, 2010
What does Pentecostalism and ancient Mayan religion have in common?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8597681.stm
They both emphasize the importance of sacrifice. Human sacrifice.
The ancient Mayans believed that their gods were nourished by human blood and that human sacrifice ensured fertility, demonstrated piety, and of course just generally appeased the gods.
According to a local photographer commenting on the effects of discrimination and racism via those of European descent (which has been ongoing for centuries and centuries, ever since the Spanish first touched foot on Latin American soil in the 15th Century), the modern day Guatemalteco of Mayan descent "will try to forget that part of their past . . . . They will ignore their family history, not even admit it if questioned".
Is it no wonder then that the Pentecostal "Mega Frater" church, with its emphasis on the importance of sacrificing one's precious belongings (especially precious in an impoverished country where these belongings are not taken for granted), like the household pet and one's vehicle, in order to appease god and to be an "equal" with the white man, has so effortlessly settled into Guatemala? Pretty clever, eh?
This is not only another example of how religion is deleterious on a sociological scale, but specifically, how the non-Indian man's religion has cut off Latin Americans at their roots by artfully utilizing the old Latino adage "it is god's will" to its advantage to help facilitate an amiable take over of these precious people.
As one woman was reported saying, "the bigger the sacrifice that you make for the church, the more God recognizes it" . . . I don't think there's a bigger sacrifice than disregarding one's own roots.
They both emphasize the importance of sacrifice. Human sacrifice.
The ancient Mayans believed that their gods were nourished by human blood and that human sacrifice ensured fertility, demonstrated piety, and of course just generally appeased the gods.
According to a local photographer commenting on the effects of discrimination and racism via those of European descent (which has been ongoing for centuries and centuries, ever since the Spanish first touched foot on Latin American soil in the 15th Century), the modern day Guatemalteco of Mayan descent "will try to forget that part of their past . . . . They will ignore their family history, not even admit it if questioned".
Is it no wonder then that the Pentecostal "Mega Frater" church, with its emphasis on the importance of sacrificing one's precious belongings (especially precious in an impoverished country where these belongings are not taken for granted), like the household pet and one's vehicle, in order to appease god and to be an "equal" with the white man, has so effortlessly settled into Guatemala? Pretty clever, eh?
This is not only another example of how religion is deleterious on a sociological scale, but specifically, how the non-Indian man's religion has cut off Latin Americans at their roots by artfully utilizing the old Latino adage "it is god's will" to its advantage to help facilitate an amiable take over of these precious people.
As one woman was reported saying, "the bigger the sacrifice that you make for the church, the more God recognizes it" . . . I don't think there's a bigger sacrifice than disregarding one's own roots.
I don't want to see her whip out her breast because I'll be forced to confront my own discomfort around sexuality . . .
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/09/breast.feeding.society/index.html?hpt=Sbin
At least that's what I think this whole debacle is about.
Thankfully, our current administration is taking the numerous studies into account that point to breastfeeding's betterment for the immunity of the child and the bond between mother and child and mandating that there be a designated space at places of employment for the working moms to be able to breastfeed.
But in an ideal society, the mother and child wouldn't be banned to some secret room.
Yes, people. . they are BREASTS. . .you might get aroused when you see her whip it out to feed her child and have to run home to touch yourself. Or, you might get disgusted at yourself for getting aroused because the breast is attached to an infant's mouth. Or, if you're a female, you may get uncomfortable because you get aroused and it brings up unsorted-out feelings about your sexual orientation. . . or perhaps as a female with body image issues you're just simply uncomfortable because you're comparing her beautiful breast to what society labels as your undesirable breast. Etc, etc, etc. . .
Unfortunately, there is usually no one there with whom a person feels comfortable enough to disclose these feelings as they come up and in turn, that person who they would hypothetically turn to more than likely wouldn't help normalize any of these feelings.
Well, I am telling you right now, from the bottom of my heart. . .any of the above reactions are completely normal. You are OK. Don't be afraid to confront that which makes you so utterly human.
All of my love <3 :)
At least that's what I think this whole debacle is about.
Thankfully, our current administration is taking the numerous studies into account that point to breastfeeding's betterment for the immunity of the child and the bond between mother and child and mandating that there be a designated space at places of employment for the working moms to be able to breastfeed.
But in an ideal society, the mother and child wouldn't be banned to some secret room.
Yes, people. . they are BREASTS. . .you might get aroused when you see her whip it out to feed her child and have to run home to touch yourself. Or, you might get disgusted at yourself for getting aroused because the breast is attached to an infant's mouth. Or, if you're a female, you may get uncomfortable because you get aroused and it brings up unsorted-out feelings about your sexual orientation. . . or perhaps as a female with body image issues you're just simply uncomfortable because you're comparing her beautiful breast to what society labels as your undesirable breast. Etc, etc, etc. . .
Unfortunately, there is usually no one there with whom a person feels comfortable enough to disclose these feelings as they come up and in turn, that person who they would hypothetically turn to more than likely wouldn't help normalize any of these feelings.
Well, I am telling you right now, from the bottom of my heart. . .any of the above reactions are completely normal. You are OK. Don't be afraid to confront that which makes you so utterly human.
All of my love <3 :)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
So they're saying. . .mental illness can make one creative
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627541.800-picking-our-brains-can-mental-illness-make-you-creative.html
What stood out for me in this article was the talk about how a mutation in the gene that codes for the brain protein, neuregulin 1, is linked to a higher rate of schizophrenia, and that the more copies of the mutation that one has, the higher they scored on a creativity test. And further, that it is hypothesized that this mutation "might dampen activity in the brain's prefrontal cortex, easing its usual brake on mood and emotions" (so, have they tested to see if this mutation is also in other "mentally ill" populations? . . and gee, you mean having less of a stick up your ass opens you up to more avenues? :P) . . ."This might unleash creativity in some, and psychotic delusions in others - with intelligence perhaps influencing the outcome" (This statement is so full of bias. Everyone with psychotic delusions is creative and anyone that I would call creative has some kind of psychosis or neurosis going on . . .with "intelligence" only influencing what this biased putz and most others have so restrictively defined as "creative" :P )
What stood out for me in this article was the talk about how a mutation in the gene that codes for the brain protein, neuregulin 1, is linked to a higher rate of schizophrenia, and that the more copies of the mutation that one has, the higher they scored on a creativity test. And further, that it is hypothesized that this mutation "might dampen activity in the brain's prefrontal cortex, easing its usual brake on mood and emotions" (so, have they tested to see if this mutation is also in other "mentally ill" populations? . . and gee, you mean having less of a stick up your ass opens you up to more avenues? :P) . . ."This might unleash creativity in some, and psychotic delusions in others - with intelligence perhaps influencing the outcome" (This statement is so full of bias. Everyone with psychotic delusions is creative and anyone that I would call creative has some kind of psychosis or neurosis going on . . .with "intelligence" only influencing what this biased putz and most others have so restrictively defined as "creative" :P )
Saturday, April 3, 2010
So, this guy is comparing criticism of the Pope to anti-Semitism. Ironic, eh?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8601389.stm
The above linked article is ironic when you know that Pope Benedict XVI was a member of the Hitler youth. Sure, he doesn't directly speak of supporting the Nazis and there was lots of pressure to do as the Nazis did back then, however. . ."While Ratzinger was not a Nazi in the past and Benedict XVI is not a Nazi now, there is more than enough reason to question his handling of his past. It appears that he hasn’t been honest with others — and probably not honest with himself — about what he did and what he could have done." . . .read on:
http://atheism.about.com/od/benedictxvi/i/RatzingerNazi_2.htm
First, he played down his ties to the Nazis and now, he's covering up an international child abuse scandal. . . why in the world would anyone look up to this man?
The above linked article is ironic when you know that Pope Benedict XVI was a member of the Hitler youth. Sure, he doesn't directly speak of supporting the Nazis and there was lots of pressure to do as the Nazis did back then, however. . ."While Ratzinger was not a Nazi in the past and Benedict XVI is not a Nazi now, there is more than enough reason to question his handling of his past. It appears that he hasn’t been honest with others — and probably not honest with himself — about what he did and what he could have done." . . .read on:
http://atheism.about.com/od/benedictxvi/i/RatzingerNazi_2.htm
First, he played down his ties to the Nazis and now, he's covering up an international child abuse scandal. . . why in the world would anyone look up to this man?
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