biophysics week 3

• Would you support the development of a "bionic" person?

I love that the technology exists to help someone who is disabled be able to walk again and lead a normally functional life.  I do fear however, that people will abuse this privilege and that bionic body parts could become as commonplace and elective as plastic surgery.  I also fear that people won't care for the bodies they are given with the same fervor if they can replace parts when they wear them out.  

• What is your opinion of the issues raised in "How EEG Devices Will Read Your Brain Waves And Change Your World?'

Again this is both hopeful and petrifying.  I love that the technology could be used to help someone walk again or control technology if they don't have functioning arms.  I fear though that most of this technology will be used in more gaming devices, ridiculous gadgets, and other forms of brain linked technology.  We are already way too linked to existing technology, we don't need to plug in anymore.  

biophysics week 2

• Acupuncture as effective energy medicine

Acupuncture opens up channels so that energy can flow freely and efficiently.   Free flowing energy creates healthy tissues and bodily functions.  A teacher told me once that blood follows chi.  And blood brings nutrients to our tissues.  Nutrients bring health.  

• What conclusions can you draw from Kirlian photography

I'm not sure I can draw any really.  I find it interesting.  I'm hopeful about the use of it for finding energy blockage and illness.  More than anything, it gives a visual to something that for most people is invisible.  And, as we all know, for most, things do not become real until they can be seen.  The visual proof of blockage that may lead to illness could help stimulate people to do something about it.  

• Human intent as it affects health

I am a firm believer in this.  We are extremely affected by what we focus on.  It paints our reality and attracts more of the same.  If we focus on negativity then we will usually miss the beauty that is around us.  Continued negativity will lead to a decline in health.  This comes from a lack of desire to eat good food, exercise, and take care of ourselves when we are depressed.  Energy in the body also becomes blocked and blockage leads to illness. 

Biology week 10

• How would you prioritize the reintroduction of the American Bison?

Reintroducing Bison is very important for a few reasons.  It plays a part culturally for the Native Americans and is a link for them in their homeland.  In a way, reintroducing the Bison symbolizes an acceptance of Native American culture by wester society and helps to undo some of the horror that was done to them by mindlessly slaughtering their food source and link to the land.  

Western society can hopefully learn from them the importance of Bison as a sustainable food source and will hopefully begin to replace cattle farming.  Cattle farming is doing much harm to the land with overgrazing and methane production.  

• Post your thoughts on "The Truth About Multitasking"

This article was very telling about the unfortunate state of our culture.  Where would we be without multitasking?  Probably much more efficient and less stressed out.  I think the article should be placed on the desk of every CEO.  It would be a benefit to our culture if 'multitasking' was replaced on a job resume by 'the ability to do one task effectively and efficiently'.  It makes sense that our neural channels cannot send multiple signals at the same time.  It seems like trying to get them to do that will eventually make the channels less efficient at sending information.  

Biology week 9

• What do you think about the "eight-point Deep Ecology Platform?

I think it makes perfect logical sense for our well being as a planet and a people.  Unfortunately, getting people to live that way would be idealistic at best.  I wish we could make such drastic changes in the way that people on the planet view life and their responsibilty to help maintain its balance.  Wouldn't it be amazing if it became a new mandate?

• Can you explain whyt "Ecosystems are both strong and fragile"?

Ecosystems inherantly are stong since they are made up of parts that work in harmony with each other to create the whole.  Unfortunately this also means that when one part of the system's balance is upset, the entire ecosystem suffers and undergoes changes, sometimes irreversible ones.

• How would you asess the "end goals" of Social Ecology?

I don't really know what the "end goal" in this case means.  I think that if it is the analization of social institutions and their relationship to nature and its resources then the goal should be do live in a more harmonious way with nature and to create social structures that support practices that are sustainable for humans and the earth.  We are far from this as a culture, but I am somewhat hopeful that we are slowly movng towards this both out of necessicity and curiousity.  

biophysics week 1

• I know I’m a “living system” because……. 

Our bodies are an incredible collaboration of molecular interplay.  All parts are inherent to the functioning of the whole.  It is this interplay that makes us a living system.  Oxygen brings in our life force.  A living system is also one that depends on its environment in order to exist.  Without the earth and its structure that supports life, we would cease to exist.

• Biophysics and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Biophysics seems to correlate to Chinese Medicine more than physics did.  

Living systems rely the relationship between living beings and the environment.  Both need each other in order to exist.  TCM uses this in its approach to health.  We cannot separate ourselves from our environment.  It effects us both internally and externally.  Physics says that, "energy is not created or destroyed, it is transformed".  This also relates to how Chinese Medicine works with healing.  Energy is transformed from different states of disharmony to balance.  

physics week 9

• My E-Prime Day - describe your day, only using English Prime

This morning seemed to wake in a state of haze and confusion.  Life seems overwhelming to me presently.  Many different things seem to need my attention at the same time.  I may be moving if everything pans out with a new house and someone moves into my old one.  My parents may be visiting during this time, and, to me, they seem to add an energy of difficulty and strain to the nature of things.

• How might you synthesize your view of Physics with your own practice of medicine?

Quantum physics synthesizes well with my view of medicine and healing.   Mainly in the view that all states of any organism are possible, this means that a healthy state of each person, as well as an unhealthy one exist.  I feel that both the ways we care for ourselves as well as what we think about life and our bodies have an incredible effect on our overall state of health.  Health is more of a choice than people think, but energetically and often subconciously many people choose a state of disharmony by both what they focus on, as well as, what they choose not too.  

biology week 8

• How do you feel about western approaches to HIV/AIDS?

I think that western approaches are getting better over time, but still have a long way to go.  It seems that up till now, western medicine has waited till people get sick to treat them, rather than trying to keep their immune systems strong as a way to keep them healthy.  I find that to be the biggest problem with western medicine in general.

• Can TCM strengthen our immune systems?

Yes, definitely!  Healthy immune systems are basically a product of all of our organs and body systems working in harmony.  TCM clears energy blockages and excess in the system, and gets all of the organs to work together.  Immunity breaks down when we cannot expel waste and take in proper nutrients.  TCM focuses on improving just that.  

physics week 8

• Newton’s Three Laws and me-

Here is an example of the type of physics I can easilly grasp. ;0)  Although when you think about the first one, it is just a matter of perspective.  An object at rest will remain at rest until a force is placed on it.  When looking at it sub-atomically, nothing is ever at rest, particles are always moving and changing form.   The second law, is exactly the reason I love to partner dance!  The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force acting on it and inversely its mass.  Being a 99lb female and dancing with men whose mass are significantly more than mine, I get thrown high in the air, swung around and really end up feeling like I'm flying more than dancing.  The third, I try to avoid at all costs.  It is what makes the constant commuting around the Bay Area frightening.  We have designed death traps for ourselves by zooming around in large objects and fast speeds, tempting fate at all times.  

• Our “Energy Efficient” Culture

I find that statement interesting.   I don't find our culture energy efficient in the slightest.  Even with in the organic/local movement, I find such hypocracy.  I am guily of it myself.  We use too many plastic containers for the convienence of food to go, paper grocery bags instead of plastic even though they are made out of trees, most people are too lazy to bring their own, and organize our communities in a way that makes driving a necessity.   We are slowly becoming aware of the ways our culture needs to change, but I fear it is too little too late.  

• Descartes has a lot to answer for!

Descartes illustrated that which most human minds want to believe.  It is comforting to most to believe in a world that is ordered and reductionist.  In such a world, everything makes sense.  Most human minds do not do well with mystery.  

biology week 7

• How sophisticated is our understanding of cancer?

I feel that when it comes to cancer we only have theories. It seems to be a growing phenomenon in our world and I don't feel we understand why it is growing or what to do about it.  The new research into cancer stem cells is promising, but it still leaves the question of 'what to do about it'. 

• How does a TCM approach to cancer differ?

TCM sees cancer as energy blockage and internal disharmony and a weakened system that needs to be strengthened through herbs, acupuncture and diet. Western medicine radiates the cancer to kill it and does not address lifestyle and energy blockage. The problem with radiaton therapy is that it does not discriminate, it kills the bad along with the good