Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Self-help's big lie

Beccarain · 01-10-2006, 06:16 AM

This is a great thread . . . please excuse the interruption, but I'm gonna refer back to the article for a minute.

There is no doubt whatsoever that our education system in the US has major problems (and needs a major overhaul, not just more taxpayer money thrown its way) but I disagree with the author's lumping self-help, our education system, and alternative medicine together like this.

Self-help has its place in our society, because, let's face it, lots of us had less-than-stellar upbringings and it is up to us as adults to get on and make our way in life. I'm not talking about the mainstream hype as presented with the likes of Oprah and Dr. Phil; I'm referring to genuine help with sorting things out, taking personal responsibility, examining our strengths and weakness for what they are, and finding our paths in life.

Regarding the growth in the field of alternative medicine -- the main reason people are turning away from western medical "care" -- and I use that term loosely -- is that our mainstream medical doctors typically do not treat us as people; they medicate symptoms. I believe our system of medical care for emergencies is the best. However, I cannot count the number of times MDs have sent me on my way after spending a whopping 30 seconds with me with a prescription in hand for drugs (including antibiotics for sinus infections and colds and blood pressure medicine for slightly elevated blood pressure) without addressing the underlying cause of the problems. As opposed to our medical system, alternative medicine helps people with chronic conditions because the practitioners are more likely to see the person, and find the cause of the problem, address it, and help restore the person. Sure, there are quacks in alt medicine like in any other profession. Overall, though, alternative medicine definitely helps people where mainstream medicine cannot, and does not.

And I completely agree with Cynthetiq: In America, it's about equal opportunity to achieve, or fail, not guarantees of success. This is tied to another big problem we have -- this whole notion of entitlements as opposed to working and earning our way.

OK, I've said what I wanted to say. Carry on.

01-10-2006, 06:16 AM	#52 (permalink)
Beccarain Upright Location: Right here, right now	This is a great thread . . . please excuse the interruption, but I'm gonna refer back to the article for a minute. There is no doubt whatsoever that our education system in the US has major problems (and needs a major overhaul, not just more taxpayer money thrown its way) but I disagree with the author's lumping self-help, our education system, and alternative medicine together like this. Self-help has its place in our society, because, let's face it, lots of us had less-than-stellar upbringings and it is up to us as adults to get on and make our way in life. I'm not talking about the mainstream hype as presented with the likes of Oprah and Dr. Phil; I'm referring to genuine help with sorting things out, taking personal responsibility, examining our strengths and weakness for what they are, and finding our paths in life. Regarding the growth in the field of alternative medicine -- the main reason people are turning away from western medical "care" -- and I use that term loosely -- is that our mainstream medical doctors typically do not treat us as people; they medicate symptoms. I believe our system of medical care for emergencies is the best. However, I cannot count the number of times MDs have sent me on my way after spending a whopping 30 seconds with me with a prescription in hand for drugs (including antibiotics for sinus infections and colds and blood pressure medicine for slightly elevated blood pressure) without addressing the underlying cause of the problems. As opposed to our medical system, alternative medicine helps people with chronic conditions because the practitioners are more likely to see the person, and find the cause of the problem, address it, and help restore the person. Sure, there are quacks in alt medicine like in any other profession. Overall, though, alternative medicine definitely helps people where mainstream medicine cannot, and does not. And I completely agree with Cynthetiq: In America, it's about equal opportunity to achieve, or fail, not guarantees of success. This is tied to another big problem we have -- this whole notion of entitlements as opposed to working and earning our way. OK, I've said what I wanted to say. Carry on.