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Dr. Mercola

June 08, 2007
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Dumb and Dumber Has Become American Norm

Dumb

Not long ago, I wrote about how

most Americans are dumber than dirt when it comes to health.

Now I've come across some startling statistics that may point to the reason for this epidemic of dumb-and-dumber-itis:

Ø 1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives

Ø 80 percent of American families did not buy or read a book last year

Ø 70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years

Meanwhile, people in the United States spend an average of four hours in front of the TV each day and three hours listening to the radio -- both sources that contain little or no real information that can truly benefit your life.

HumorWriters.org

NewPairodimes June 2, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Obviously, most of you reading this are not in this category and do actively read, so you're not part of the problem. However, as we work toward creating a paradigm shift in people's consciousness about health and well-being, we clearly have our work cut out for us.

With almost no one searching for, reading, and critically analyzing information, it's no wonder that only 11 percent of Americans know the daily amount of calories they should be eating -- especially when you consider the vast amounts of disinformation being thrown at all of us by advertisers every day, as well as the pseudo-science being spread by the many bought-and-paid for organizations which are nothing more than fronts for corporations.

Drug companies, as only one of many examples, spend literally billions of dollars each year on direct-to-consumer TV advertising (the U.S. being one of only two countries in the world where this is legal) because they know that it works.

When most people see a drug being advertised on TV, they have no other sources of information to let them know that they are being sold an ineffective and dangerous product. Given that situation, it's no surprise that 2/3 of doctor visits resulted in a drug being prescribed, and spending for prescription drugs is the fastest-growing category of health care expenditures.

Yes we have a long row to hoe in educating our friends and relatives about the truth so at least they can make informed choices and not continue to be brainwashed by the drug cartels.

If we are to thrive as a society, encourage your kids to read, read often, and discuss what's been read to encourage free and independent thought.

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Article's Comment     ( 60 Comments )
 
 
 +25 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY saynotoquacks   
Savvy User
  
[ Joined on 04/07 ]
[ Posted on June 10, 2007 ]
Post Reply
It's amazing--I have a Master's degree and I fell hook, line and sinker for the quackery--not just conventional medicine but psychiatry too!  I believe that every effect has a cause and that cause must be tracked down and studied so that one can learn to avoid similar mistakes.  So how did this happen, even though I've read some of the greatest literature that's ever been written, and I have a BA in biology to boot?  I have always taken learning very seriously.  I've always read a lot and never watch TV except PBS occasionally.  So here's my conclusion:

The educational system is not only inadequate, but it is actually propagandist.  I was taught how "wonderful" modern medicine is right from the start, how scientists slave away to discover things to improve health, and how great vaccines are, and how great progress generally is.  As an overachiever I was actually more vulnerable to this propaganda than someone who never actually cared to learn.

We need to teach kids to think for themselves, and not to blindly idolize science and scientists, and presidents and whatnot.  Albert Einstein, commonly seen as a hero in science, helped discover nuclear fission which led to the bomb.  Contrary to what we're taught in school, this type of "progress" is NOT GOOD!  It does not improve our lives at all.  Sometimes "progress" is a force of destruction.

As a literary geek I highly recommend Leslie Silko's modern classic novel CEREMONY, which I'm reading now for the nth time. It's still great!  It deals a lot with the issue of scientific "progress." 

Guess what?  I'm back to writing again!  My CFS seems to be improving, and my imagination!  When my novel is done I'll let everyone know, maybe publish it online.  The problem with publishers is they want something that fits neatly into a genre.  Well I don't write or think in genres!
 
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 +16 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY paulpat   
Novice User
  
[ Joined on 06/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on June 16, 2007 ]
 
No where will you find a greater disparity between truth and reason than in the medicl profession, pharacuetical companies and, perhaps most importantly, our FDA. 
American doctors are not taught to cure disease. they are taught to go after symptoms. Got cancer? Ignore the cause and go after the tumor. As a consequence we kill more people than we cure with chemo drugs that ruin our immune systems. Nixon delared war on cancer 30 years ago and most of the billions spent to date have gone into researching chemical cures that have no effect on 80% of the common cancers that plague us. Why?
Because it is not profitable for drug manufacturers to look for alternatve cures. Think about it. They can't patent nature. We need to get the good old boys out and reorganze the FDA. There are alternative cancer cures. Don't believe me? Look to the rest of the world.
  

 +8 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY maryj   
Apprentice User
  
[ Joined on 01/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on June 28, 2007 ]
 
I agree!  I have a PhD in Education and a BA in Biology myself.  I recently attended a State Science Teachers conference and sat in on a presentation by a teacher who delivered a tangential rant about the "pseudo science" of alternative medicine.  I haven't been in public schools until the past few years and have been astounded at how teachers pass on their uneducated biases to their students who look at them as authorities.  It's truly frightening.

 +5 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Reesacat   
Savvy User
  
[ Joined on 01/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on June 11, 2007 ]
 
So very glad to hear you are writing again.  I also have CFS and when you recover enough to start doing the things you love it is nothing short of a miracle.  (I spent yesterday in the garden!)

 +4 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Yonatan777   
Novice User
  
[ Joined on 02/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on June 28, 2007 ]
 
Its true many Americans are brainwashed and taught from a young age to believe in many facets of science and technology that are completely worthless and inaccurate, to say the least.  However, I must disagree with saynotoquacks on his insulting of a true genius, Albert Einstein.  Let me tell you, if it wasn't for the creation of the atomic bomb and the security it gives us, you would not be so happily writing to us today saying how evil nuclear weapons are and how useless of a creation it was.  Or, perhaps, you think humans would all just happily get along and no one would bother kicking down your door, raping your wife and stealing all your possessions, with a less sophisticated weapon, like a gun or sword?  Perhaps, you also think the invention of police is useless as well?  Why not convince them and all the murderers and thieves in the world to destroy their useless guns.  I like to hear what you think we should have done if the nazis got the bomb, instead?  Would you think they would have been nicer than Einstein and his benefactors?  Please, do us all a favor and reinvestigate your statements and show a respect for a person who's intellect and ingenuity has given you freedom today. 

However, this is not to say, that a lot of time and money is wasted on scientists and greedy pharm companies producing garbage medicines to waste more of our tax payers and consumers money and health.  Let us focus our brainpower and energy on utilizing the powerful natural medicines given to us by God and of the technologies to safely expand their healing capalities.

 +3 Points