Week 12, How Cells Divide

I thought the animated section with the explanations that went with it was really cool...plus it was really pretty to watch. Sometimes scientific animations aren't very aesthetically pleasing, but this one was actually really well laid out and had really well explained but also very approachable texts and graphics.

Week 12, Cell Biology and TCM

Cell biology seems to me to be pretty holistic...all the parts of the cell interact to make and function as a whole, and then these little wholes are completely affected by the environment they are surrounded by. I also thought the idea of cancer than Sely introduced in her presentation had many correlations not only with TCM but other forms of holistic medicine as well.

Week 11, Laughter

I don't know if laughter is the best medicine, but it is a part of a healthy life. I really can't imagine what my life would be like without laughter...it just seems to be such an important and beautiful part of the human experience. And if it keeps me healthy, I'll be happy to do it more.

Week 11, Carbon Offsets

All this talk about carbon offsets seems like a way of not dealing with the problem that is staring us in the face: carbon emissions. I really don't know how any of these carbon offsets work or what exactly they are doing. Although they seem to come from a place of good intention, it does raise the question of why not look more intensely for alternative fuels instead of simply offsetting the one fuel we have right now. If carbon offsets are buying us time to come up with a better solution, that is great. But are we offsetting our carbon a acting like we've solved the problem?

Week 10, Tailor-Made Cells

It's scary to read about companies talking so openly and matter-of-fact about the use of cells to introduce genetic material into people. Although this new technology seems revolutionary and helpful, there is a huge part of me that cringes at the notion of someone in a lab coat messing with genes and then putting them into my body. I am healthy, and if i was unhealthy and this could save me maybe I wouldn't think twice about it. Nevertheless, it seems like companies that are out for profit are the ones using and testing these new medical technologies...and that is really scary.

Week 10, Child Cancer

It seems like sometimes, leading too much of the "good life" can affect us in other ways. Although I am not surprised at the outcome of this study, it does seem a little anti-intuitive. I would think that richer children in rural setting would have access to better air, more exercise, and good food. But, there seems to be something in these children's lifestyle that is leading to higher rates of cancer. It would be very interesting to see how much of the modern, urban life has infiltrated these rural settings, or if cancer is appearing for completely different reasons.

Week 10, Reintroducing the Bison

The reintroduction of the the bison to the Great Plains is important not only for the ecology and ecosystem of the region, but also for a number of socio-cultural reasons that includes different populations of people. By restoring the bison, a part of Native American way of life is restored with them and allowed to live again. Also, it is a great example of how every day people can come together and fight for a cause they believe in. It is very inspiring to see people who otherwise would not really have much of a relationship working together.

Week 9, Social Ecology

Idealistically, social ecology seeks a new way of balance between humanity and our ways of living and the world we inhabit. It wants to understand on many different levels how our current relationship to the Earth and its ecosystems has arisen and hopefully create a new, more sustainable one. How it intends to do that, however, is another more complicated and complex issue.

Week 9, Ecosystems

Ecosystems are strong because they are highly adaptable and resilient. The organisms that make up an ecosystem will find a way to live no matter what, and an ecosystem suddenly faced with an enormous change can survive. At the same time, however, once a threshold has been reached, it is likely that an ecosystem will begin to fall apart. While an ecosystem can be stressed and survive, it can only be stressed to a certain point until it cannot repair itself.

Week 9, Deep Ecology

I think the eight points of Deep Ecology are pointed in the direction in which we need to be headed in order to not completely destroy the Earth's ecosystems. The points I liked the most are the first two which deal with the inherent value of all living beings and systems. I have always felt that way and thinking that something is only valuable if it gives us something is really sad because we are then blinded to the beauty of the world around us.

Week 8, The Deal that Saved the Whale

I think community-based efforts like this one are the best ways to prevent more ecological destruction. Without the interest of the local people, projects that intend to save different parts of the world are almost doomed to failure. It also gives me a lot of hope that people can team up and work as a community and decide was it best for them, and not let themselves be manipulated by outside forces. Overall, it is very inspiring.

Week 8, TCM and Immune System

I think TCM (among other things) is a great way to improve and strengthen the immune system. Unlike Western medicine, TCM has a long tradition of fortifying not only the immune system but also our organs, blood, Qi, and other important body aspects. Although Western medicine does not rely that much on prevention and improving and tonifying the body unless it gets sick, prevention and immune system improvement is one of the aspects that is strongest with TCM and one that can be easily imcorporated into the present day medical system.

Week 8, Western Approach to AIDS

It was actually very interesting for me to read about how Western Medicine understands AIDS. I had never had such a complete breakdown of how AIDS works on cells and genes. Overall, it is a fascinating disease, and the way in which Western scientists and doctors have studied the cellular aspects of the disease is impacting. But like with cancer, I can't help but feel a little perplexed at the fact that so much money and energy is funneled into into only cellular research and no other part of the disease seems to be as important to the scientists and doctors. Although I understand the value of what these researchers have dedicated their lives in doing, I wonder what would happen if the research was more diversified.