One of the most tragic, wretchedly heartbreaking traumas for parents is the loss of a child, either neonatal or during childhood, adolescence, or even in their adult years. It’s just not supposed to happen! It feels like a betrayal; it can cause unspeakable suffering. I was struck by a column by Alison Gopnik titled “A…
Category: Personal
Longevity and Sugar
In a recent article, Peter Attia, MD, a longevity specialist, explained some of the problems with dietary sugar. He wrote that: High glucose variability and higher (peak) glucose levels are each independently associated with accelerated onset of disease and death, even in non-diabetics. Prospective studies show that higher glucose variability in non-diabetics is associated with…
A Stunning Contrast to the Covid-19 Pandemic
According to most politicians and the mainstream media, the Covid-19 pandemic is one of the worst outbreaks in modern history—and it’s been well-managed. But a recent article by Niall Ferguson in the Wall Street Journal refutes both notions by comparing today’s pandemic to one that most people have forgotten about: the 1957 Asian flu outbreak….
Breaking News: Revolutionary Cancer Test
This post is intended for my friends and family, not for general distribution. There is truly exciting breaking news for cancer screening. It’s called a Grail. It is a new technology called “liquid biopsy” that is done via a blood test. It is just now becoming established and has limited FDA approval. It is available…
Living Long and Enjoying It
If we wish to live long and enjoy being alive, an effective exercise plan is critical—it is sine qua non. “If exercise were a drug, it would be the best drug we have for preventing heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis, depression, diabetes, and obesity, said James O’Keefe, MD on Peter Attia’s podcast. On the same podcast,…
Doctors’ Political Leanings
I saw a fascinating chart that sets forth which American doctors are Republicans and which are Democrats. The chart is reprinted below. With regard to the widespread advocacy of lockdowns and masks, as well as other political manipulations, the results are interesting. Note that infectious disease doctors are over 75% Democrat. Is this fake news?…
A Delightful Message
I’m reprinting a delightful letter from author Anne Lamott on the value of reading: “If you love to read, or learn to love reading, you will have an amazing life. Period. Life will always have hardships, pressure, and incredibly annoying people, but books will make it all worthwhile. In books, you will find your North…
Power
I think many of us love the quote from Francis Bacon: “Knowledge is power.” Clearly, knowledge is a very high value. The road to success and happiness is paved with knowledge. Knowledge is one of the highest values of any reasoning mind. But I realized some years ago that it’s not sufficient. It’s correct and…
My Upcoming Book on “Prequests”
Some have asked what my book is about and what is a “prequest.” Throughout my life, I’ve received a lot of help and support from many people. When I sat down to write my will, I made a list of close friends, people who had significantly changed my life (Ayn Rand and Leonard Peikoff are…
Valentine’s Day: The Greatest Love of All
There’s a wonderful song, “The Greatest Love of All,” by Whitney Houston, also sung by Jane Oliver. Here are the lyrics with my comments: Everybody’s searching for a hero (be your own hero).People need someone to look up to (look up to yourself).I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs (fulfill your own needs).A lonely…