Open Post

[kimberlysteele]

Woot! My first ever Open Post. Please feel free to comment on anything and everything. Thank you for not using profanity.

Comments

[methylethyl]

That's... disheartening.

[(Anonymous)]

Everyone in my family is adamant that everyone in a homeless shelter wants to be there, because there are tons of jobs available. They just might need to go to school first, and that's easy because it's "Not that expensive". Granted, we live in Canada, but 5000 dollars a year (one of the cheaper schools) for four years is a lot of money for a lot of people, especially homeless people. But when I try to argue they whip out some article from somewhere, usually the New York Times or CNN, on how affordable education in Canada is.

This kind of spectacular cluelessness is also applies to personal matters as well, which is part of why I'm fairly sure the elite isn't malevolent, just spectacularly incompetent. To give an example, diabetes runs in my family. I'm managing my risk by making sure to get fresh air, exercise, a diet low in processed food, etc. My mother is managing her risk by getting her doctor to tell her what to do. Which boils down to "Take these pills", and berating me for not listening to our doctor.

The reason I decided the pills were a bad idea is because they dramatically increase the risk of heart disease. To which my mother responded with "That's why the doctor prescribed me a statin." When I pointed out that statins increase diabetes risks, her response, word for word was, "If there was really an issue, my doctor wouldn't prescribe it. She's the expert!"

Of course, her muscle pain (also a common side effect of statins) has made it impossible for her to exercise much, and so she's started gaining weight, which she's countering by seeing a dietitian! The diet which he wants the family to adopt is not viable for me: I do martial arts several times a week, and I need a heavier breakfast than what the dietitian thinks I need. The idea my body might know what it needs better than the expert is of course unthinkable to them.

To provide another example, my dad has issues with wheat. As in, if he eats any, he has serious gastrointestinal issues. I've noticed it, I've suggested he mark down when he has issues and see what is a common element to each episode, but he's adamant it's not wheat, because he got tested and he does not have Celiac Disease.

They quite literally are unable to think for themselves. Experts tell them what to eat, what to wear, when and how much to sleep, who to vote for, what religion to believe in, and so on and so forth. Trying to talk to them about anything is impossible: the only things in their head are put there by the media, or their blind faith in experts.

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks for sharing this. Interestingly, my parents have quite the similar outlook - and they're working/middle class depending on how much my dad's services are in demand. They're both drawing Social Security as well.
But here's what gets me: my parents are literally hippie motorcyclists. One of my earliest memories was hanging out at the club house...the Outlaws club house.
But now, in their mid 60s...they're practically establishment types. They somehow trust the government, trust corporations...it's exasperating.
I think they've just gotten comfortable and don't feel inclined to challenge anything any longer.

[methylethyl]

Perhaps they should volunteer at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter sometime...

If it's any consolation, my parents really aren't establishment, believe-your-doctor types. They both quit statins after reading up on them and experiencing some nasty side effects. But my diabetic mother, who knows exactly what she needs to do to clean up her diet and reduce her dependence on insulin and diabetes medications (which make her ill), absolutely will not do it. She *likes* sweets. And pasta. There are days when I think T2D must be a form of possession, rather than an illness.