Thursday, June 25, 2015

Are you defeating your own cause or promoting illness over wellness?

Recently I have seen or been invited to participate in the various annual fundraising events to finance research into ailments such as cancer. I will neither participate in nor contribute to the false perception that such funding will help people. My refusal to be engaged in the ruse is based upon an objective view of the myriad factors that affect perception and self-defeating actions which appear beneficial.

The comedic quip that often appears in the fictionalized video productions we watch made in response to the query “What were you thinking” is “I wasn’t”. The various adversities that you or others may face are based upon the selected course taken at decisive moments. Thus, we mentally competent adults are all where we put ourselves.

The stressors that precede outburst of indignation, cries of unjust treatment, or pleas for mercy from the stranglehold of illness were most probably the result of thinking but not thinking deeply. It’s cliche to say that you must look below the surface but that axiom frames an important concept. That is, before making a selection view the situation in depth. This reveals motivations, substance, and, most important, the wider array of possibilities.

As the fledgling student Luke Skywalker was instructed to do by his teacher Yoda, “You must unlearn what you have learned.” The scripts or biases which you have developed throughout your life can deceive and defeat you.

When I express the term “children’s movie” you conjure an image or expectation of the content. Your experiences affect your interpretation of such an ambiguous term. You may imagine animated or CGI based characters involved in an adventurous storyline or actor based video of children involved in some hijinx whereby they surmount a challenge and defeat the odds that favour the adults. However, if you are involved in the production side of film you may envision shaky camerawork, short productions, and low production value. Thus, the term may be applied to films intended for viewing by children or films produced by children.

Societal scripts have likely helped to mold your perception of animals. We speak of a “wild child” or a “wild night” as those which are unruly, go against our norms, and need brought under control. An animal that has been deprived of its liberty, freedom, and expression of its essence usually for the purpose of serving a want of man is labeled as “domesticated.” Thus, a domesticated animal is one which has been enslaved. An animal that is unrestrained, is allowed to live consistent with its natured and make its own decisions is labeled as “wild.” Thus, a wild animal being unconstrained is one that has liberty.

If you are asked to make a contribution to “fund cancer research” that may appeal to your benevolence and elicit your transfer of funds. If you were asked to make a contribution to “help ensure that cancer remains prevalent and pharmaceutical company employees are highly paid” would that elicit the same response? Likely not. But are both phrases applicable to the same act or outcome? I contend that they are which is revealed by a deeper analysis.

You may recall my admonishments to see the objects or events in world for what they are rather than what they are named. As an example I use the instrument that is used to chop down a tree. You may say it is an axe. I say it is a metallic wedge with an arched edge honed sharp which is attached to a handle. That is the difference between what something is and what it is named.

When it comes to diseases of the body and those who are purportedly seeking a cure an objective analysis must be applied to determine if what it is named is what it is. The potential motivation of those applying the names should likewise considered.

Cancer has nearly been cured worldwide with estimates ranging from the National Institute of Health’s admission to 75% of cases being voluntary to around 95% from doctors in the far east who rely less upon a capitalistic pharmacological approach to health. If cures for these diseases, upon which so much research is being conducted, were found today who would be out of work tomorrow? The researchers, the fundraisers, and everyone involved in the treatment process. There exists a huge financial incentive then to perpetuate and treat disease rather than cure disease. This is commonly seen in the mental health spectrum where treatment rather than cure is the prefered approach.

Autism provides a great example of a condition which is nearly 100% preventable through lifestyle choices and has long been known to have an environmental cause. Yet, big-pharma employs many researchers who, along with other researchers receiving funding through grants or those fund-raising organizations, are seeking a genetic based cause.

Why would they seek to find a cause where they know one will not be found? Because as long as they are sure they cannot find a cure but can convince the funders that it can be found where they look then funding continues. The other reason to search for a “cure” that is genetically based is because a “treatment” is likely to be found there. Treatments in western medicine generally apply to symptoms rather than causes. Thus, treatment will ensure dependence upon the treating agents - drugs and doctors. Treating symptoms will also serve to dispel the claims of detractors of the profit scheme who insist that cures may be found in the environment. Because western society views relief of symptoms as a cure, the profiteers who discover an effective treatment can proclaim that “We told you so, it was genetically based” which an uninformed populace will accept as the cure.

So if you want to help find a cure for a disease then don’t give money to those who divert legitimate researchers from seeking a “cure” to instead being hired and directed to only find a suitable “treatment.”

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