Creating Useful Lies “I just know it’s true. I saw it.” But your brain is not a DVD player, correctly recording what happened. And that’s a good thing. The unreliability of memory has been a literary theme for thousands of years. The creation of our many “true fictions” are ascribed to factors varying from personality […]
Do You Know How to Walk? (2/24/18)
Walking and Breathing Walking is like breathing. Effortless. You’re up and moving. One of nature’s healthiest activities can also prove one of its most pleasant. People often love cities because they are “walkable” – you can get what you need on your own two feet. And be entertained – and pleasured – all along the […]
Cancerland (2/10/14)
Number One The number one cause of death in the US is cancer. Many of us go to doctors yearly. We nervously wait for the results of tests. Do I have the Big C – or don’t I? Now cancer is moving on to become the number one cause of death globally, according to the […]
Is Sleep Apnea Boring? (2/3/14)
Clinical Fascination Boredom can prove very personal. A few weeks ago I sat down in the hospital cafeteria. At my table was a polite, bright pulmonologist. He expressed sympathy for my work: “I find sleep apnea so boring.” For a doctor like him there’s isn’t much to do with sleep apnea. Somebody comes in. They […]
Civilizational Obesity (1/20/14)
The Weight of Progress Life has improved for lots of people. Economic development and globalization has brought many out of poverty. Kenyan farmers shop and bank with their cell phones. Hundreds of millions of Chinese have moved from the impoverishment of the Cultural Revolution to high levels of education and ambitious middle class lives. As […]