http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/business/12botox.html?ref=health
So, yes, apaprently Botox ISN'T just skin deep. Apparently, in addition to botox being used to treat wrinkles, it is being used for: migranes, speech impediments, oily skin and redness, chewing problems, swallowing problems, pelvic muscle spasms, drooling, hair loss, anal fissures (whatever THAT is), pain from missing limbs, biological weapons, excessive sweating, musle spasms and stroke victims. What's next? Will people be using Botox to enhance their breasts or penis size? Will they be using it to gain brain capacity and increase memory? Will they be taking it to increase fertility or cure cancer? Or cure HIV/AIDS?
Seriously... it seems like Allergan discovered this amazing substance to fix wrinkles and now it's being injected into every part of the body! Is there a part of the body it hasn't been injected into? To be honest, I think it's really cool that Allergen, together with the FDA and medical researchers, have been able to find such a plethora of uses for this one, very simple drug. But it also kind of freaks me out that paralyzers, which is what Botox is, is being injected into almost every part of the human body without fail.
And what's worse is that thanks to celebrities and their excessive use of Botox, the American public seems to be falling head-first for the miracle drug, the love of their life: Botox. Americans are throwing caution to the wind and letting doctors inject every part of their body to fix every problem, from sweating, to wrinkles to speech impediments. But do we really know the effects of this drug? Afterall, it is a paralyzer. That seems scary to me. Maybe we should be doing a little more research before sticking this "miracle drug" into every muscle of our body?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
‘Top Model’ Casting Goes Smoothly, but Isn’t Free of Tears
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/nyregion/12models.html?_r=1&hp
The article discussed the brutal and almost inhumane separation of the potential supermodels from everyone else. Over 1,000 young women from 18 to 27 tried out to be on the reality television show America's Next Top Model, starring former supermodel Tyra Banks. Out of all who applied, only 13 will become final contestants and appear on the show and only one will become America's Next Top Model.
The audition process seemed gruesome. Many women woke up at 3am to come into NYC and try out for the opportunity of a lifetime. And within seconds, their fate was decided by judges. It only took the judges seconds to make the decision of "YES" or "NO." Can you imagine that? You wake up at 3 in the morning, travel hours to get to your desination, wait on line for a few more hours, amongst a thousand other 5'11" skinny girls and then within ten seconds, you are (most likely) told "no thank you."
I feel like these girls' self esteem is completely shot when they are rejected. Obviously modelling is all about looks. There's no way that a girl who'se rejected thinks to herself, "well, I got cut because my resume wasn't good enough, or I fumbled my words." Those are things you can fix. Those are things you can rehearse, practice and improve upon the next time. But if someone tells you that you're too ugly to model, or you don't have the right look, or you're too short or too fat, then what do you do? There's really nothing you can do... besides plastic surgery that it. And even that only goes so far. When these girls get rejected, they understand, one hundred percent, that it is because of their looks. And that is absolutely heartbreaking because there is nothing they can do to fix that.
The article discussed the brutal and almost inhumane separation of the potential supermodels from everyone else. Over 1,000 young women from 18 to 27 tried out to be on the reality television show America's Next Top Model, starring former supermodel Tyra Banks. Out of all who applied, only 13 will become final contestants and appear on the show and only one will become America's Next Top Model.
The audition process seemed gruesome. Many women woke up at 3am to come into NYC and try out for the opportunity of a lifetime. And within seconds, their fate was decided by judges. It only took the judges seconds to make the decision of "YES" or "NO." Can you imagine that? You wake up at 3 in the morning, travel hours to get to your desination, wait on line for a few more hours, amongst a thousand other 5'11" skinny girls and then within ten seconds, you are (most likely) told "no thank you."
I feel like these girls' self esteem is completely shot when they are rejected. Obviously modelling is all about looks. There's no way that a girl who'se rejected thinks to herself, "well, I got cut because my resume wasn't good enough, or I fumbled my words." Those are things you can fix. Those are things you can rehearse, practice and improve upon the next time. But if someone tells you that you're too ugly to model, or you don't have the right look, or you're too short or too fat, then what do you do? There's really nothing you can do... besides plastic surgery that it. And even that only goes so far. When these girls get rejected, they understand, one hundred percent, that it is because of their looks. And that is absolutely heartbreaking because there is nothing they can do to fix that.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Race-Day Medication Sets Off an Inquiry
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/sports/othersports/06racing.html?ref=sports
Trainer Jeff Mullins administered cough medicine to a horse, Gato Go Win, before a race in the $200,000 Bay Shore and the horse was disqualified by the New Tork Racing Association. The cough medicine is called Air Power and is over-the-counter.
Being an equestrian, I understand such rules as necessary. There are many medicines which trainers will give their horse claiming one thing, but in fact, want increased performance, or pain numbing. However, do we really think that Gato Go Win would have performed any better than usual due to the cough medicine? The medicine would have brought him back to his normal, healthy self, not to Superman self.
This debate reminds me of how we see our professional sports players are almost God-like; how we expect them to be perfect and talented without any help whatsoever. But at what point do we put too much pressure on our athletes, whether humans or horses, to perform at 100% when they are not feeling 100%? If Derek Jeter, captain and starting short stop for the NY Yankees had a headache, would we really deny him an Aspirin, claiming that it is a performance enhancer?
Trainer Jeff Mullins administered cough medicine to a horse, Gato Go Win, before a race in the $200,000 Bay Shore and the horse was disqualified by the New Tork Racing Association. The cough medicine is called Air Power and is over-the-counter.
Being an equestrian, I understand such rules as necessary. There are many medicines which trainers will give their horse claiming one thing, but in fact, want increased performance, or pain numbing. However, do we really think that Gato Go Win would have performed any better than usual due to the cough medicine? The medicine would have brought him back to his normal, healthy self, not to Superman self.
This debate reminds me of how we see our professional sports players are almost God-like; how we expect them to be perfect and talented without any help whatsoever. But at what point do we put too much pressure on our athletes, whether humans or horses, to perform at 100% when they are not feeling 100%? If Derek Jeter, captain and starting short stop for the NY Yankees had a headache, would we really deny him an Aspirin, claiming that it is a performance enhancer?
Brain Researchers Open Door to Editing Memory
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/health/research/06brain.html?_r=1&ref=health
"Suppose scientists could erase certain memories by tinkering with a single substance in the brain. Could make you forget a chronic fear, a traumatic loss, even a bad habit. "
I think this is extremely creepy. Cool, but creepy. The article discusses this amazing feat and then goes on to address some concerns which mirror my own. The article touches on the topic of possible public-wide use. What if this drug not only becomes approved for those who need it, but also those who want it? True, the drug would provide a safehaven for those who have suffered from traumatic experiences like rape in the past. But who'se to say what's "traumatic" and what's not?
Is a child losing his/her father to a car crash traumatic? Is the love of your life breaking up with you traumatic? Who'se to draw the line between people who need it to lead a normal, healthy life and those who want it to erase pain? Certain pain is good, afterall. It teaches us lessons; lessons which suck are we're learning them, but are good for us in the long run. I can see how this drug has the potential to do both great and horrible things.
"Suppose scientists could erase certain memories by tinkering with a single substance in the brain. Could make you forget a chronic fear, a traumatic loss, even a bad habit. "
I think this is extremely creepy. Cool, but creepy. The article discusses this amazing feat and then goes on to address some concerns which mirror my own. The article touches on the topic of possible public-wide use. What if this drug not only becomes approved for those who need it, but also those who want it? True, the drug would provide a safehaven for those who have suffered from traumatic experiences like rape in the past. But who'se to say what's "traumatic" and what's not?
Is a child losing his/her father to a car crash traumatic? Is the love of your life breaking up with you traumatic? Who'se to draw the line between people who need it to lead a normal, healthy life and those who want it to erase pain? Certain pain is good, afterall. It teaches us lessons; lessons which suck are we're learning them, but are good for us in the long run. I can see how this drug has the potential to do both great and horrible things.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Facebook Fires Finance Chief and Offers Some Numbers
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/facebook-fires-finance-chief-and-offers-some-numbers/
"Regarding its financial state, Facebook said that in the quarter ending Tuesday, it beat its own internal projections and is on track to increase revenue by 70 percent this year."
I am NOT suprised at ALL. In this current economic climate, who ISN'T turning away from sports games, movie theatres, concerts and other forms of entertainment and using Facebook to fill their free time? The economy is in shambles and all people want to do is save money. Well -- Facebook is free and it's certainly entertaining and I am certainly not suprised that they are one of the few companies who has profitted from the current economic situation.
"Regarding its financial state, Facebook said that in the quarter ending Tuesday, it beat its own internal projections and is on track to increase revenue by 70 percent this year."
I am NOT suprised at ALL. In this current economic climate, who ISN'T turning away from sports games, movie theatres, concerts and other forms of entertainment and using Facebook to fill their free time? The economy is in shambles and all people want to do is save money. Well -- Facebook is free and it's certainly entertaining and I am certainly not suprised that they are one of the few companies who has profitted from the current economic situation.
Time and the Bottle
http://proof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/time-and-the-bottle/?ref=opinion
This article focuses on how much time is wasted on being wasted. I think this resonates very highly with Lehigh students who tend to spend a good part of their time drinking. Especially with Greek Week coming up, it seems as if all students want to do is drink and celebrate. But when you drink too much and blackout, well, then, what's the point? I mean, Greek Week, Lehigh-Laf Week, frat and sorority date parties and formals...all of these things are the highlights of a lot of Lehigh students' lives. Yet, they are also the time when most Lehigh students drink the most: morning cocktails, BBQs, 4 o'clock forties, pregames then parties... do Lehigh students actually REMEMBER the best part of their time here? Is it worth it to drink if you're going to black out and not remember all the fun you had? Did you waste your life at Lehigh being wasted??
This article focuses on how much time is wasted on being wasted. I think this resonates very highly with Lehigh students who tend to spend a good part of their time drinking. Especially with Greek Week coming up, it seems as if all students want to do is drink and celebrate. But when you drink too much and blackout, well, then, what's the point? I mean, Greek Week, Lehigh-Laf Week, frat and sorority date parties and formals...all of these things are the highlights of a lot of Lehigh students' lives. Yet, they are also the time when most Lehigh students drink the most: morning cocktails, BBQs, 4 o'clock forties, pregames then parties... do Lehigh students actually REMEMBER the best part of their time here? Is it worth it to drink if you're going to black out and not remember all the fun you had? Did you waste your life at Lehigh being wasted??
Monday, March 23, 2009
Twitter? It's What You Make It
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/technology/personaltech/12pogue.html
Twitter. It's a newly popularized website which allows its followers to recieve short, up-to-date, blurbs about your life. It could be used for social purposes, for business or political purposes, for sports updates; it can pretty much be used for whatever you want. But is Twitter just another website like Facebook and Myspace? Is it just another tool for computer-savvy Americans to use to further separate themselves from the real, material world and emerse themselves in the technological world of electronic communication? Is it really that much harder to go next door and tell your friend "I am feeling sad" than it is to put it on Twitter? Or on your Facebook status? Or is it that we just want to whole WORLD to know how we feel? If we run next doors, no one else will know how we feel, except those we tell. But if we post our feelings, our pictures, our hobbies, our day-to-day updates online, in the electronic world, then everyone knows. Is all this just a way for everyone to get to know everyone else better?
Twitter. It's a newly popularized website which allows its followers to recieve short, up-to-date, blurbs about your life. It could be used for social purposes, for business or political purposes, for sports updates; it can pretty much be used for whatever you want. But is Twitter just another website like Facebook and Myspace? Is it just another tool for computer-savvy Americans to use to further separate themselves from the real, material world and emerse themselves in the technological world of electronic communication? Is it really that much harder to go next door and tell your friend "I am feeling sad" than it is to put it on Twitter? Or on your Facebook status? Or is it that we just want to whole WORLD to know how we feel? If we run next doors, no one else will know how we feel, except those we tell. But if we post our feelings, our pictures, our hobbies, our day-to-day updates online, in the electronic world, then everyone knows. Is all this just a way for everyone to get to know everyone else better?
Drinker's Red Face May Signal Cancer Risk
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/health/research/21alcohol.html?ref=science
It seems like these days, EVERYTHING causes cancer. Cell phones, hair dye, now red cheeks? The article discussed how flushed cheeks can symbolize an increased risk for esophageal cancer, caused a deficiency in the ALDH2 enzyme. Some people have two copies of the gene which prevents the individual from consuming too much alcohol. But those who flush sometimes are have an unusually high tolerance for alcohol because they have only one copy of the gene. This is a pretty relevant issue to college kids, especially at Lehigh, where the drinking culture is all above over-drinking. Maybe some Lehigh students, who we cheer for shot-gunning 10 beers in a row, or for "heroically" chugging a 40oz in 40 seconds, or for taking a series of shots in a row...maybe these students are putting themselves at high risk for cancer later in life!
It seems like these days, EVERYTHING causes cancer. Cell phones, hair dye, now red cheeks? The article discussed how flushed cheeks can symbolize an increased risk for esophageal cancer, caused a deficiency in the ALDH2 enzyme. Some people have two copies of the gene which prevents the individual from consuming too much alcohol. But those who flush sometimes are have an unusually high tolerance for alcohol because they have only one copy of the gene. This is a pretty relevant issue to college kids, especially at Lehigh, where the drinking culture is all above over-drinking. Maybe some Lehigh students, who we cheer for shot-gunning 10 beers in a row, or for "heroically" chugging a 40oz in 40 seconds, or for taking a series of shots in a row...maybe these students are putting themselves at high risk for cancer later in life!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Religious Belief Linked to Desire for Aggressive Treatment in Terminal Patients
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/health/research/18faith.html?ref=health
I find it very interesting that those patients who are more religious are also more likely to seek "aggressive, life-prolonging care in the week before they died." Such aggressive care is analogous to ventilators and other life-prolonging techniques.
I have to say that I'm extremely suprised. Like the article mentioned, one would think that those who are religious place higher faith in God and are less scared to die. Because, what we do in the moments, or the week before death is all about fear. Almost everyone fears dying. And I guess it's been the stereotype that "good Christians" don't fear death. They shouldn't because death means the start of a new life with God in Heaven (unless they are destined for hell). Perhaps THAT is why religious people are more likely to use life-prolonguing care in the week before their death. Because, as they are laying in the hospital bed, anticipating their own death, all they have to think about is what they did during life. And when these people go back and look at their lives, I'm sure they're nervous about if they'll wind up in heaven or not. Maybe that's why religious people opt for life-prolonguing techniques more than non-religious people.
Either way, I think it's suprising and interesting. What also suprises me is that religious people place faith over the opinions of their family, friends, known medical information and sometimes even doctors. At what point does being religious become detrimental to your health? At what point can religion become a negative thing?
I find it very interesting that those patients who are more religious are also more likely to seek "aggressive, life-prolonging care in the week before they died." Such aggressive care is analogous to ventilators and other life-prolonging techniques.
I have to say that I'm extremely suprised. Like the article mentioned, one would think that those who are religious place higher faith in God and are less scared to die. Because, what we do in the moments, or the week before death is all about fear. Almost everyone fears dying. And I guess it's been the stereotype that "good Christians" don't fear death. They shouldn't because death means the start of a new life with God in Heaven (unless they are destined for hell). Perhaps THAT is why religious people are more likely to use life-prolonguing care in the week before their death. Because, as they are laying in the hospital bed, anticipating their own death, all they have to think about is what they did during life. And when these people go back and look at their lives, I'm sure they're nervous about if they'll wind up in heaven or not. Maybe that's why religious people opt for life-prolonguing techniques more than non-religious people.
Either way, I think it's suprising and interesting. What also suprises me is that religious people place faith over the opinions of their family, friends, known medical information and sometimes even doctors. At what point does being religious become detrimental to your health? At what point can religion become a negative thing?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Candy Girls
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/arts/television/07cand.html?ref=television
Great! All we need is one more reality television show! As if we don't have enough of drunk, barely clothed girls on Rock of Love, or of blubbering, cheating idiot boyfriend on The Tool Academy. Now E! has presented us with a new show about four African American women who present themselves as beautiful women used to drape over men at music and entertainment parties. They fly on the most expensive jets, demand the nicest clothes and occasionally, or maybe more than occasionally, get into ridiculous catfights. Sound familiar? Well, probably because Candy Girls seems to be exactly like every single other reality show on TV now-a-days. Half-naked, poorly educated, alcohol and men-driven sexy women. How many of these women can we see? When will this fascination end?
Great! All we need is one more reality television show! As if we don't have enough of drunk, barely clothed girls on Rock of Love, or of blubbering, cheating idiot boyfriend on The Tool Academy. Now E! has presented us with a new show about four African American women who present themselves as beautiful women used to drape over men at music and entertainment parties. They fly on the most expensive jets, demand the nicest clothes and occasionally, or maybe more than occasionally, get into ridiculous catfights. Sound familiar? Well, probably because Candy Girls seems to be exactly like every single other reality show on TV now-a-days. Half-naked, poorly educated, alcohol and men-driven sexy women. How many of these women can we see? When will this fascination end?
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