Confusion and doubt

My book group read the book "The Triumph of Doubt" by David Michaels.  It is about political and other groups resisting a movement or idea by questioning the logic and research being cited in support of the notion they are against.  I read that idea of resistance was considered to be creating "confusion" about the truth mostly by creating counter-evidence and counter-argument, as well as doubts of all kinds, such as doubts about the character of the "other side".

Resisting an argument or idea by questioning the reasoning and research cited by supporters is exactly what academics and lawyers do all the time.

One member of the discussion of the Michaels book emphasized that many people want iron-clad, knock-down, rock-solid TRUTH.  He said an ideal of such truth is never available for any question.  Opponents and resistors of any proposition can always raise doubts and give counter suggestions.  Academics, scientists, researchers as well as marital partners, teen-agers and people who dislike an idea because I like it can also be very competent critics and resistors.

In addition to fundamental resistance, other factors can enter the picture.  I had a grad student, a competent and experienced teacher, who told me decades ago that she and her husband wanted a video recorder.  They drove 70 miles to a store to get one.  That store had somewhere around 40 different models.  That many was overwhelming and depressing.  They drove back without buying.  They couldn't decide on a purchase.

Hydration again

I have seen in several places estimates that 75% of older Americans are continuously dehydrated.  Part of the problem is that there is no clear standard or method for measuring hydration, so far as I have found.  The book by Cohen and Bria looks at the subjection and emphasizes that much of the body's water supply comes from water in consumed food rather than from drinking water.  Many sources agree that "8 oz. 8 times a day" is not accurate.  Bria founded the Hydration Foundation and has studied Bedouin and other desert people to see how they survive.  Several of my friends want to avoid stressing their kidneys and avoid having to urinate too many bothersome times a day.  I reported that a nurse practitioner asked me about my hydration and advised me to "aim for 50 oz. a day".  I have read that coffee and tea only function as dehydration agents at high levels of consumption and matter as hydrators at low levels.  That was more than a year ago and since then, I have worked at consuming two 16 oz. mugs of water, first thing in the morning and about 3 PM.  I usually have some water at dinner and afterwards when reading aloud.  I have seen an article in Mozilla's daily collection of suggested reading that some scientists feel that human longevity is approaching a limit but I wouldn't be surprised if better hydration increases years lived.  Part of the problem is that most people lose quite a bit of their ability to feel thirst as they age. 

Resisting or modifying habits and routines

Patterns of thought or behavior are difficult to eliminate or modify.  I find as I age, I have to watch extra-carefully while doing something I have done many times before.  When I deviate from my usual pattern, it can almost feel a little painful at times.  I sometimes find that something I normally do is not a good idea.  Maybe it never was and maybe aging or new understanding has given me a good reason to be different.  But seeing myself being different is often quite different from being actually on the new track I am aiming for.  Even when I have a good reason to change, the established procedure can pull at me and I have to stay conscious of the new one I am trying to establish.

Wrong ideas with a few great ones mixed inv

I recently finished reading Carl Zimmer's "The Soul Made Flesh", the story of work in Oxford, England, on exploring human anatomy and especially what the large spongy mass in the top of the head did.  There had been many statements and theories about its function.  The newer element was evidence.  Proposed functions had to line up with what was known at the time.  It was getting a little less likely that someone of authority would answer the question and others accepted that statement.

I read about Galileo sometime back but I can't track down or remember the title or the author.  I remember it, not because of Galileo's famous difficulty with the Catholic authorities, basically about the Earth being the center of the universe, or a "mere" planet circling our sun, as his telescope showed him but because of the description of him timing swing lamps with his pulse while attending church.  

Much of "argument" and "discussion" involves personal prestige, tradition, habit, language skills and even physical size, weight and temperament of those involved.  Introducing the concept of reported evidence changed the game.  The Zimmer book reports no swords, daggers or pistols involved but people can get very emotional during discussions about issues important to them.  I have been somewhat thankful that my work has not involved basic research which seems to be an activity bound to frustrate and disappoint.

CNN Photos 10/13/24

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/10/world/gallery/photos-this-week-october-3-october-10

Today is October 12

On October 12, 1492, Columbus made landfall in the new world.  "New" to Europeans, that is.  Sometimes, people object to the words "Columbus discovered America" because various humans, maybe descendants of Asians, were already living on the American continents.  But I have recently discovered the movie "Still Alice".  I didn't know about it before even though many other people, fans, cast, and others did.

Because Europeans had guns and tended to use them, some survivors of "indigenous" people have emphasized how their own ancestors suffered various insults, intrusions and worse once Europeans started arriving in the Americas.  Because of the way we do things now, and because of our calendar, it will not be until Monday, that Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day is officially noted. 

"Still Alice" movie

My book group read "Remember" by LIsa Genova.  It is non-fiction and describes how our memories work.  Last night, we watched the movie "Still Alice", starring Juliette Moore. It's about a professor who finds unexplained serious difficulties descend on her with no warning.  She sees a doctor about the problem and learns that she has early-onset Alzheimer's.  It is serious and depressing and her situation is only going to get worse.  It was moving and well-written.  I looked it up and found the script was based on the book, by the same Lisa Genova.  I was impressed and moved by the movie.   Lynn was working on a list of her favorite movies and included "Still Alice".