When Shaun Saunders posted this to me I thought he had finally cracked. But then I started reading it and the editorial in NewScientist makes a strong case for the mind controlling our health. Not just the placebo effect but shockingly deadly maladies litterally voodooed away.
The article is interesting enough on its own merits, however, knowing Shaun as we do, one can suspect that he suspect that there is another layer beneath the smoke and mirrors. What Saunders point out is:
H.A.D. as Shaun alludes to is a story that takes place in the near future. In this future it is the norm to seek-out medical services and be treated for all sorts of maladies beyond anything we would consider normal. To not seek out and treat these ailments is now thought to be a dangerous mental aberration, with all the associated hysterics. The very thing that sets this kind of behavior could very well be traced to TV ads promoting all sorts of cures and treatments for diseases we didn't even know about before the adverts.
This is a prime example of how science fiction takes a trend and the authors weave a projection from the smallest of hints and information.
The article is interesting enough on its own merits, however, knowing Shaun as we do, one can suspect that he suspect that there is another layer beneath the smoke and mirrors. What Saunders point out is:
- What is interesting though, is that it seems that every 2nd or 3rd advert on tv is about bowel, prostate, lung, skin or other cancer, or heart disease and so on...and on....
- Like my story 'H.A.D' - BMU show 113 - suggested - it's all 'down hill after age two...':
- The science behind this is not new - it's generally referred to the branch of psyc known as 'psychoneuroimunology'. Of course, ... as the article points out, it may not work for everyone - you must *believe* it, but then the same case might be made for a professional sports person needing to believe that they can achieve feats that no one else could.
H.A.D. as Shaun alludes to is a story that takes place in the near future. In this future it is the norm to seek-out medical services and be treated for all sorts of maladies beyond anything we would consider normal. To not seek out and treat these ailments is now thought to be a dangerous mental aberration, with all the associated hysterics. The very thing that sets this kind of behavior could very well be traced to TV ads promoting all sorts of cures and treatments for diseases we didn't even know about before the adverts.
This is a prime example of how science fiction takes a trend and the authors weave a projection from the smallest of hints and information.
1 comment:
The science behind this mind-body connection is not new - it's generally referred to the branch of psyc known as 'psychoneuroimmunology'. New Scientist, being rather
conservative, is perhaps a little behind the times, but has showcased some very interesting examples. But there are many, many stories from the archives of
'conventional medicine' describing how power of the mind can overcome just about anything (tumours disappearing quickly, new bone growth and so on and on). Of course, and as the article points out, it may not work for
everyone - you must *believe* it, but then the same case might be made for a professional sports person needing to believe that they can achieve physical feats
that no one else could.
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