My narcissism's showing

Back to the US's exportation of mental illnesses in a moment, but first, the first poem written about me ;) :

Once there was a girl from New York City
I never met her, what a pity...
Was too busy writing stories,
all clever and witty.
Untouchable as a liger,
not a kitty.

manufactured drugs for manufactured diseases

"the routine human condition...is increasingly being re-defined as disease..."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1369125/

more to come on this shortly in regard to drug companies not only disease mongering in the US, but also exporting mental illnesses abroad

Synesthesia and Kandinsky

I have always been in awe of Synesthesia. It is the only psychological disorder that is not treated as those who present with it do not view it as an impediment to daily life. Most people who possess it are surprised to find that everyone does not see/hear/feel the world as they do.

Kandinsky was one artist who was inspired by his synesthesia:

http://painting.about.com/b/2006/06/12/kandinsky-and-synaesthesia.htm

His work is currently being shown at the Guggenheim until Wednesday (sorry for the late notice)
http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/on-view-now/kandinsky

Kandinsky has been a major figure in the history of the museum and his work even inspired the design of the building itself.

Anish Kapoor: Memory

Kapoor is responsible for Cloud Gate in Chicago, which I enjoy, but was not the sole reason for my visit to the Guggenheim today; however, I will say I found "Memory" rather impressive. I myself don't have much of a penchant for sculpture and abstract art but this exhibit really stakes its claim in person. When reading the review I had my doubts about the concept but it won me over, well done Kapoor...again.

Discussion Topic du jour

Pleiotropism as a mechanism behind the genetic correlation between personality and psychopathology.


Go.

Re: "War On Kids"

I'd like to comment on the War on Kids movie review link I posted. I have not yet been able to see it but I am so relieved someone finally touched on this in a real way. It's just too bad that this came out when the country was busy with Tiger Woods, all 24 hours of its daily "news" spent shamelessly engaged in moral prosthelytizing. I think it's a real issue though that needs serious attention: Psychiatrists and other doctors pushing the propogandized phrase "mental illness" until it's common vernacular and the default descriptor for any nuance in neurocognitive behavior. Doctor's offices are bathed with paraphernalia of the pills being peddled to "cure" an ironically increasing number of people with "mental health issues," now including children. At the risk of continuing my paroxysm, I think too many children are being indefinitely fed pills that don't have clear mechanisms of functioning, for vaguely defined diseases.
The movie, I believe looks more at the problems with the education system (which is a big proponent of medicating children with controlled substances) and various underlying issues. Well now after I blindly recommended it I guess I should go see it :)

This is something I would really like to see make it past the dangerous inchoate state where all too many of my lofty ambitions and projects seem to take up residence

http://saistout.blogspot.com/