Tripping

 

I began thinking  of buying an electric golf cart. so that Linda could accompany me during my morning  runs.  As a result, Linda and I got together with  Dave and Joyce who have an electric golf cart.  Dave was receptive  for a test drive and became  Linda’s  co - pilot while I ran ahead.  The marriage between Linda and an electric golf cart was successful . I began researching electric golf carts and found three businesses in Rocklin.  I called all three and talked with them regarding their availability and received quotes in return. 

On a  Tuesday, we stopped at Electric Motorsports and met with Ryan the owner.  I told him about our requirements. Ryan selected  an Epic-E 20 for Linda to drive.  Linda was excited , happy and didn't want to stop driving that golf cart.  It didn't take long for us to decide.  We purchased that  black colored golf cart with Blacktooth  Stereo Sound Bar, rearview mirrors, turn signals, four-wheel-drive brakes and many other gadgets.  There's a go pedal and a stop pedal and the rear view camera system.  What's neat about this cart is that when Linda takes her foot off the Go pedal, the unit stops.

We anxiously awaited Friday's delivery.  Again, we went over the operation of the golf cart.  Satisfied, Linda headed out for a test drive and I became the co-pilot.  She was driving Mr. Daisy.  She handled the golf cart like a pro and we enjoyed our spin.  By Monday, we totaled more than 36 miles and  Linda drove solo while I ran ahead.  Perfect ! Dave has joined us and has become Linda's co-pilot on many of our adventures

During our road trips, we stopped at Lucinda and Ralph's.  Lucinda was our ride secretary  when we hosted the Coolest Ride and Tie..   Both Lucimda and Ralph were also present  when I set up a focus group  before  writing  my first book.  They're both excited and interested in where we purchased our Epic.  We then  stopped and met with Bobby, a pickleball friend to chat and also chatted with another pickleball friend Char for a while.  She was interested  and asked about having her mother ride with Linda.  We also met with Linda's yoga instructor Trula . On our trips ,we are always interacting with fellow walkers and others that drive-by.

Then on Tuesday we left for the Oakland zoo.  Originally we were going to stop and visit with Bill and Gwen, but Gwen was ill so we just talked on the phone.  We arrived at the Oakland zoo, had lunch and then took the Sky Ride to the upper part  of the zoo where we saw the American bison,bald eagles, gray  wolf's ,Jaguars ,black bears and grizzly bears.  At the grizzly bear location, there was a mirrored glass wall and the  3 grizzly bears were playing in the pool.  We were up close and that was a real treat.

We  then took the Sky Ride back to the main part of the zoo and saw the giraffes, tigers, lions , monkeys and found the African elephant.  The sign said they were either going to upgrade the holding area;find another elephant or send the elephant to another facility.  Seeing the " caged" animals and reading the descriptions regarding the numbers left and so forth saddened me.  We are all in a zoo ,confined to some degree and headed for extinction.  

We left the zoo, drove in the Oakland - Berkeley Hills and headed for the Marina Hilton.  There ,we had valet parking with many compliments regarding our mid engine Corvette.  For dinner we went to Hana Japan , a Japanese steakhouse and shared a salmon dinner.  After dinner, we returned to our hotel for our chocolate chip cookie dessert and frolicked afterward.

Wednesday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel.  Linda had Belgian waffles and I had.oatmeal. Gwen  was still ill so we headed for home. .A short delightful trip to the Bay Area  with many fond memories .

Susan Smyth , one of my Ride and Tie partners , took over  The Coolest Ride & Tie  from Linda and i.  On July 5, In Cool ,  she will host the Ride and Tie Championship.See you there.

The Iron Heel

 In 1908 Jack London's The Iron Heel was published.  This was a story about rebellion by socialists against the powerful capitalist oligarchy.  This oligarchy consisted of a few in government , banks, and industrialists  that were squeezing  and exploiting the  middle and proletarian class . This aristocracy, although unidentified,  dealt with  the resistance by employing a number of powerful tactics including  their paid army  of mercenaries. This essay refers to that class struggle .

London's story was told by Avis, from a manuscript, the protagonist and wife of Ernest Everhard.  London's powerful novel foreshadows the development of facism in the United States.  Avis perceives Ernest as masculine , bulging muscles with a prizefighter's throat, but under the guise of an intellectual swashbuckler who was delicate and sensitive in spirit .” That glint of laughter in his eyes that belied the impassioned seriousness of his face.  And there were further reaches of vagueness and energy, and feelings that stirred in me. … She went on to say his written word was as clear and convincing..... He had the gift of lucidity.  He was the perfect expositor... He played to great stress what he called the class struggle, antagonism between labor and capital, the conflict of interest. “

Ernest was a social leader, a reformer , an acknowledged leader in the philosophy of socialism.  He called the conflict  a class struggle. the  antagonism between labor and capital, a conflict of interest.  Ernest  viewed the Masters as common , selfish, greedy, intellectually stupid ,materialistic, full of contradictions,  with hypocrisy and their morality and spirituality sickening. Also, men were in poverty and had difficulty finding food, clothing and shelter irrespective  of  the number of children in the labor force .  In spite of the  great production of the day, the caveman had it better than many, suggesting clearly that capitalism has mismanaged this society. Moreover , Ernest sang the song of man.  He did it out of sheer love of man,and  for man he gave his life and was crushed.  And all this  he did with no hope of future reward . In his conception of things, there was no future life.

Wickson spokesman for the aristocracy. "We will grind you revolutionists down under our heel, and we shall walk upon your faces.  The world is ours.  We are its lords and ours It shall remain..... There is the word.  It is the king of words.-Power. “ Wickson describes the iron heel of capitalism , its oligarchy ,despotism , the autocracy of the wealthy bankers ,railway giants, corporation directors , and trust magnates.  Power is the strength of wealth and wealth is a means to power and power is governmental plutocracy  which has all the power, makes its laws ,owns the Senate, Congress, courts, state legislatures and  directs the  army, navy,police and militia.

 This power for its own sake , is self perpetuating and is subject to no higher laws beyond good and evil.  Trump committed  numerous criminal acts, disregarded the Constitution to remain in power over the 2020 election results. When will those trials take place ?

.London wrote that power was concentrated in the complex network of economic, political, legal, and cultural.  It's run by a small number of people- groups served by a wide range of interests. Today, the Republicans have power with the Supreme Court; House of Representatives; control the Congress with filibuster use ; with numerous governors , state legislatures and federal judges like Canon in Florida.

Jack London's contempt and his criticism describes  the disastrous effects of capitalism that pertains to the middle class and  the proletariat in our country  Some examples follow: London believed there was an alliance between finance, politics with unequal wages that contributed to  a declining  middle-class as well as a caste system of skilled labor over others. Also,people were caught between  the masters of capitalism and others  that contributed  to a mindless mass of misery and disgust for far too many .  Currently we have income and wealth inequality . In 2010, the top 5% of US households received more than 24% of total after-tax income, compared to the lowest 20%  that received slightly more than 6%..  Many ,especially white male Americans , are dissatisfied, envious and in  rage and armed with their  guns . Not surprisingly,we've gone from 19th to 23rd on the happiness scale.  Finland remains number one.

 London believed that the ability to sway and influence others was based on charisma, masculinity,and a  personality cult  with hero worship.  The authoritarian Trump fits that description.  There was a 2020  poster with Trump's head on a muscular armed Rambo body .

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Jack London believed that we are "free agents."  and were suppressed by the merciless industrial machine.  In other words, the system was rigged and exploitative  by the powerful .Not only that but individuals were emotionally complicit with the powerful capitalistic system even though it was contrary to their interests. Jackson, a machine operator, worked 18 hour shifts in order to support his family.  He was injured by attempting to protect his hazardous machine  after long hours.  The company's lawyer won the case because the managers testified in favor of the company in order to protect their employment .They knew that Jackson deserved compensation but were afraid to say so.  

  

 According to London, the oligarchy understands and exploits the others by keeping the institutions of law and media complicit.  The power controls and propagates lies as with  Trump’s excessive  media coverage regarding the 2020 election results , about his unfair trials ,  his Supreme Court and Judge Canon’s rulings are illustrations .  

London interpreted that the Government creates a state of emergency and then violates its own constitutional principles.  After 9/11 we've had the Patriot Act,incarceration at Guantanamo Bay and Homeland Security violating our own  laws. 

Another important point made by Avis: “ The aristocracy of man with innate intelligence tends to make him superior to the people he represents.  They speak to the masses but do not represent the common man.  Trump’s  sadistic rhetoric toward others is just one example .The ruling class also succeeds in preserving the established order by manufacturing and molding the consent of public opinion with its  lies and false comparisons . Lies become the  norm.  In other words, politicians, and Fox continue to lie repeatedly.  They make comparisons that are irrational with false equivalents and attempt to normalize the craziness.  This is an authoritarian, nationalist and fascist right wing system of government and is congruent with Trump’s  Republican Party.

 Another London prophecy.  "When the oligarchs have completely mastered the people, they will have time to spare for other things.  They will become worshipers of beauty.  They will become art lovers and under their direction generously rewarded will toil the artist.  The result will be great art;  for no longer, as yesterday, will the artist pander to the  bourgeois taste of the middle class." And the idea of grab sharing "give us more pay and charge it to the public," was the slogan of the strong unions.  And here and there the selfish policy worked successfully.  In charging it to the public, it was charged to the great mass of unorganized labor and of weekly organized labor.

London  did not   forget  the power and influence of religion, as there was a religious revival.  And truly, the religious revival assumed formidable proportions. “ The people, what of their wretchedness, and other disappointment in all things earthly, were ripe and eager for a heaven where industrial tyrants entered no more than camels passed through needl-e eyes .... God had stirred the nations to strife.  It was a time of visions and prophetesses were legion.”

London's treatise describes power as  an important part of man's nature and/or ego needs within a society . Man begins life anxious and fearful , compensates and  some seek  an excessive amount of power for survival  and control .  Power encompasses  other  aspects of  his ego needs  that include and are related to - Achievement ( to manipulate , to rival and surpass human beings), Aggression,( to oppose  or punish another) autonomy( to be irresponsible) and Dominance ( to control one’s human environment).  London adds  that the ordinary man is selfish “as long as he lives in a social system based on pig’s ethics.” And we can include  narcissism and egotism to that description.  “The  excessive   strivings for power serve not only as a protection against anxiety but also as a channel through which repressed hostility can be discharged . “   London's  The Iron Heel describes and explains man's employing  power while engaging in a capitalistic economy within the class struggle.  Capitalists rule and are supreme. It doesn’t seem to matter that  an authoritarian, nationalist and fascist right wing system of government has political power. 

 A scary thought about  elections: "The Grangers who had been elected were not permitted to take office.  The Incumbents refused to get out.  It was very simple.  They merely changed the legality in the elections and wrapped up the whole situation in the interminable redtape of the law.  The Grangers were powerless.  The courts were the last recourse, and the courts were in the hands of their enemies."

History repeats because man’s history is based on  ego needs which are aspects of his nature within society .For instance,our Civil War; KKK and Nazi gatherings in New York; Lindbergh's isolationist WW11 policies; father Coghlin's hate ,sedition trial and  McCarthyism are just a few examples that pertain and repeat  our hate, prejudice, discrimination regardless of the year . Personally, just prior to adolescence, my union president father was anonymously accused  and charged of being a communist because of his association with his friend James.  James was married and his  wife ,at one time,  supposedly  was a communist . James was fired from his government job, my father was not.  I remember visiting this family with my father and playing with their son. Was I communist - guilt by association ?  Today, the billionaire oligarchs aren't protesting against the anti-Democratic , anti rule of law, book and abortion banning  authoritarian and felon threat posed by Trump and his Republican tribe.  If they do not protest, they condone.

Reference

Horney, Karen.  The Neurotic Personality of Our Time.

Murray, H.  A.  Explorations in Personality.  

Existential Threats

 Our Republic is threatened with the upcoming November 5 presidential election.  Domestically, we are faced with a convicted lying felon with an authoritarian  mindset.  Authoritarianism is defined as favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom especially with a limited brand of white male nationalism,  to the exclusion or detriment of the interests  both here and abroad ;with an imperialist policy of extending the country's power and influence over others. This essay is directed at the existential crises of nuclear war; climate change and AI related technological changes. 

What Pres. and/ or political party is best equipped to deal with a potential nuclear catastrophe?  We have not encountered World War III nor have we been faced with the missile crisis that existed in Cuba in 1962.  Since that time, we've had a Cold War and numerous limited wars.  Recently we've had encounters in Syria; Russia and Ukraine and in Israel.  Will Russia employ their nuclear weapons or will Iran involve themselves further in the Middle East ? Putin clearly wants to reestablish the previous Russian Soviet Union - Iron Curtain supremacy ruled by Stalin.  What political figure is likely to support Putin’s lust for  more power?

In 2015, the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, China, Germany and the European Union established an Iran nuclear deal framework.  Then, in 2018.  Trump and the Republicans  pulled out of that nuclear deal. Trump did that because? It's been reported that, according to Putin, Russia is suspending its participation in the New Start Nuclear Treaty. The US may be forced to expand its nuclear arsenal unless a change occurs with Russia according to an administration official.

Men and women went to Capitol Hill  on May 15 and 16 with long medical histories related to rare cancers and autoimmune disorders who lived near nuclear testing sites in New Mexico and Nevada from 1945 - 1962.  Unfortunately, many  have  not been compensated by the federal government for what they've gone through.  Should the House extend and expand the radiation exposure compensation act?

According to this Devastating Disasters article on the Internet, "experts" say the most endangered cities in United States most likely to be attacked in the case of nuclear war include New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco because the cities are large and highly populated, have important infrastructural facilities and are crucial to the US economy and overall structure.  

Currently there are 32 countries that are part of NATO and designed as a military alliance.  Up to now, we have not had a large military conflict in Europe as we did in World War II.  NATO has been successful.  However, with Russia invading Ukraine and Trump's "friendship" with Putin as well as his negative rhetoric regarding NATO raises the question.  Is Russia.our nuclear friend or foe going forward especially since Putin wants to reestablish the Russian Empire ?  Further, our survival depends on the prevention of a nuclear war not on the interest of any particular person.  Does the narcissist want world peace; acquiring land, resources, property and security at the expense of others ?  

A second existential crisis that affects everyone is the ecological collapse, facing us.  We are raping our land of resources and are using  polluting chemicals harmful to us all.  A movie called Dark Waters chronicled the Dow Chemical Company with its use of Teflon and the disastrous health effects.

The use of modern industrial farming is based on artificially fertilizing  the fields that have disastrous  health effects  poison rivers, lakes and oceans with a devastating impact on marine life.  Habitats are degraded, animals and plants are becoming extinct and the entire ecosystem such as the Great Barrier Reef off Australia  and the Amazon rainforest might be destroyed. “ We have behaved as an ecological serial killer now and  we are becoming an ecological mass murderer. “

 A consensus scientifically reports that human activities  as with the emission of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide are causing the Earth's climate to change at a frightening rate.  With expanding deserts, disappearing ice caps, rising oceans, more frequent extreme weather events such as hurricanes and typhoons, we are disrupting agricultural production, making much of the world uninhabitable and sending hundreds of millions of refugees in search of new homes.  And who pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord?  Biden  announced a 600 M in climate investments in 2024 .

It should be noted that Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia depend on exporting oil and gas and have no interest in collapsing their economy.  Also, higher temperatures are likely to turn Siberia into the breadbasket of the world.  As the ice melts in the far north.,the Russian dominated Arctic sea lanes might become the arteries of  a new global commerce and become extremely important in world trade. Once again the importance and influence of Russia cannot be understated. 

Permafrost is flowing across, two thirds of Russia throwing cities and towns that were constructed to house miners sent to dig up subterranean troves of oil, gas, gold and diamonds.  Outside one small town deep in  the Siberian hinterland, the crater is rapidly opening up -known to local residents as the gateway to the underworld.  Already more than 1/2 a mile deep and about 3000 feet wide, this crater is growing as the ground beneath it melts.  The cliff face retreats 40 feet every year revealing buried treasures once locked up in the ice.

A group of health experts  that include economists,and lawyers in the US government are addressing a public health crisis.  People  are dying on the job from extreme heat and it is expected that would require employers to protect an estimated 50 million exposed to high temperatures while they work.  Workers include farm laborers and construction workers, but also people who sort packages in warehouses , clean  airplane cabins and cook in commercial kitchens.  Last year was the hottest in recorded history and researchers are expecting another record-breaking summer  temperature .

The Biden’s administration's push to fight climate change has sprinkled billions of dollars across America for projects including new transmission lines for electric power and for planting trees.  But in this election year, officials in Nevada and beyond are facing new threats from climate change and are wondering whether the flow of assistance will last. 

The third existential crisis is the AI technological threat or disruption.  The US government forbids genetically engineering human embryos. However, this doesn't prevent other scientists from other countries from doing it. Bioengineering and AI might upgrade humans and  create new life forms.  When it comes to formulating ethical guidelines, should a convicted felon lead us?  

More specifically, a microorganism going to one species can incorporate genetic codes from a completely different species into itself and thereby gain new capabilities such as resistance to antibiotics. In one experiment  scientists grew an ear made of cattle cartilage cells on a mouse. Further, geneticists may have isolated the genes responsible for  monogamy. What would Don Juan say?

Perhaps genetic engineering and other forms of biological engineering might enable us to make far-reaching alterations in our physiology, immune system, life expectancy, and in our intellectual and emotional capacities . Perhaps we can prolong human life, conquer incurable diseases and upgrade our abilities. 

On the other hand,  the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, are developing cyborgs of insects, and the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center reported its intention to build cyborg sharks in the hope of identifying underwater electromagnetic fields made by submarines and mines.  Also, the newest generation of hearing aids are sometimes referred to as bionic ears.  The device consists of an implant that absorbs sound through a microphone located in the outer part of the ear.  The implant filters its sounds from five human voices and translates them into electric signals that are sent directly to the central trainer and from there to the brain. 

Which political party might be able to influence the directions that scientists are taking? What party do we want to lead us into the future?  Do we want a convicted felon with a history of exploitation , seeking revenge who wants to be a dictator to lead us? Biden issued an executive order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing  the promise and use of AI .

Next week, I will comment on the salient domestic issues of  capitalism, power, democracy, the Constitution, the government ,, the criminal justice system , big money, and  politics employing Jack London’s novel “ The Iron Boot. “ 

PS

Check out the documentary  "Turning Point  The Bomb and The Cold War on Netflix.”

 

References 

Harari, Yuval Noah. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century ; Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind.

The New York Times May 26, 2024 articles: " Danger Grow As Workplaces Become Harder;" " In Nevada, Heat Is On to Secure Climate Cash Bonanza;" "A Giant Crater in Siberia Is Belching up Russia's Past" and "Nuclear Testing.  Victims Deserve More."  

Separation and Union

 Sigmund Freud and Otto Rank  both theorized about the trauma of birth despite their theoretical differences ,Both agreed about its importance . .  For example, the embryo  exists in a state of bliss  and/ or pleasure and comfort as it is “protected” during  development.  It's freely nourished and develops generally  without interruption nor without any demand placed upon it.  At birth, the neonate's protection, safety, comfort , pleasure and nurturance dramatically  changes.  Tension and/or anxiety surfaces for the first time and that is associated with its disruption from the womb.  This initial state of  anxiety is considered the prototype , the origin so to speak ,or an imprint in the developing brain. This disposition addresses  that separation , union and loneliness .

The birth which is accompanied by the emergence of  anxiety, which signals  danger.  The embryo  existed without any effort on its part for its survival.  With birth, it  now requires initiative on its part  for survival . Then, any change or  separation  from the mother , results and begins a state of  fear , anxiety and insecurity . The infant,in order to reduce  the fear ,anxiety  and terror of being alone, separate and  being unprotected requires a union.  Research  by Stanley Schachter  studied  and found that separation  is accompanied by anxiety which propels an individual to seek union and  the subjects preferred to be with another  rather than being alone.  Henry A Murray In his theory of Personology reported about the importance of the Affiliative need.  This basic human need is associated with cooperation ,pleasing another, affection and remaining loyal.  

 During the  development from primary to secondary narcissism,  the first caretaker or mother represents that first protector, the provider of nurturance, safety , love, and security  or not.  As a result, the mother or mother figure represents the first  psychological role model or basis during development for good  or for a bad union .

With development from primary to secondary narcissism , the newborn initially establishes an authoritarian conscience  It learns right from wrong based on the power, commands and dictates of the parenting figures.  The parents standards and only the  parental standards are the rule.  If obeyed, it pleases parents and that is accompanied with  their smiles, love, protection, security and acceptance.  If the standards of the parents are not obeyed, that is followed by anger, disappointment, punishment, disapproval, loss of love, rejection ,being abandoned and loneliness. In the Old Testament, God's punishment of rejection and abandonment of Abel was more powerful and severe than allowing  him to be slain ..  

When parenting  rearing styles are based on authoritarian principles,compared to democratic  ones,  these behaviors are based on control , resulting in there being less warmth,  nurturance, affection or sympathy with their children. An authoritarian parenting style is also associated with being highly controlling with rigid power and not encouraging the  child to express himself when he disagrees with them.  Children being reared in authoritarian households have difficulty  developing  independence , objectivity and humanistic morals .

With an authoritarian conscience and being reared with authoritarian parenting standards  results in impaired  ego development.  For instance, with secondary narcissism ,and when coupled with potential fixation on a powerful mother and father figure,  results in  excessive loyalty, dependence  and pleasing behaviors for children. During social development , that  proneness for attachment , loyalty etc. becomes generalized and is transferred  to a tribe , flag , country, religion or political figure .  Although there is a degree of  authoritarian tendency  in everyone , it becomes a problem  when there is a preponderance or a proclivity in that  direction . With an extraordinary attachment and dependency  to another figure , that affects  one's capacity to fully relate  with empathy to different others , not in the same tribe, because that individual has identified with the commands and follows those values , prejudices of that powerful  figure.  It's that striving, and a  desire for protection regardless of the character , integrity and humanness of the protector. In essence, this dependency or attachment becomes a negative contributing factor and interferes in the  development of a more encompassing union . With the regression of being stuck in a state of fixation on an authoritarian figure ,frees the individual from taking   mature adult  responsibility for  actions based on humanistic ,moral and ethical principles..In other words, there's a transference, a  need for union ,love, acceptance, and protection to an external  authoritarian source regardless .

When there is interference for independence and integrity , individuals are not free to be  neither themselves nor have any convictions of their  own as they become other directed.  They rationalize, and it becomes their duty to surrender , to obey and to support  . He is so wonderful. .It's a privilege and noble to obey  and a sin to disobey him . These character types remain bound in their fixation to the external source with the wish to remain tied  and an unconscious fear of being free, of being alone and being helpless.

In the Old Testament ,the book  Exodus provides an example of the problem of developing independence and separation from an authoritarian power ..  Moses took the Israelites out of bondage from Ramsey.  During their 40 years of exile, the  Israelites had difficulty with their freedom.  They regressed and  wanted to go back to the safety and protection  of the Pharaoh. They  built false idols, which were familiar to them.  According to the story , It took 40 years , the deaths of the original group , for the  Israelites to learn and pursue freedom ,  and to establish growth  ,truth , moral , ethical values and  independence.

Loneliness is a symptom of birth trauma and separation,dynamic . It's been reported that more than 1/5 of Americans over 18 state they feel lonely or socially isolated.  Also, for older adults, social isolation has been linked to various adverse physical and psychological effects including increased risk of dementia and heart disease.  The symptom of  loneliness  can suggest interference in  developing adequate secondary narcissism. In this case, the parental or caretaker, attachment does not at all represent consistent trust, security, safety, comfort, love, but instead mistrust ,danger and fear. One option for the newborn or child is a withdrawal  from the other which generalizes to others during lifespan. Parental mistrust , results and is associated with the development of paranoia . With paranoia, the person projects his hate ,resentment, anger, prejudice and fear onto others, making others very dangerous .  Also , the moving away from others with self absorption and/or egotism  is associated with primary narcissism and conditions of autism,depression, anxiety,  schizophrenia, and other psychological disorders.  Further, it's not difficult to find loneliness with drug and alcohol addiction ,PTSD , shyness  and  homeless populations   Moreover, our capitalistic economic system also contributes to loneliness with its abstraction of meaningless work , becoming  a cog or number in the entire manufacturing production process.There is too much alienation without authenticity  coupled with morbidity and insignificance for far too many. Hateful, insignificant social media contributes as well to a dangerous world . 

In order to treat loneliness, one has to be able to diagnose and assess contributing causal  factors.  Despite that reality, there have been  superficial quick fix solutions like encouraging people to join a group.  Even big Pharma has designed a loneliness pill supposedly to reduce stress , isolation and increase unions. Unfortunately, side effects such as sleeping disorders and cardiology issues  are concerning .This reminds me of Huxley’s Brave New World .

A grieving individual suffering from loss, but has developed sufficient secondary  narcissism has the necessary psychic supplies for  appropriate treatment along with medication to deal with anxiety and depression.  Individuals without an adequate development of secondary and social narcissism are at a disadvantage which makes treatments problematic.  In other words, all loneliness is not the same and needs to be evaluated for realistic outcomes . Visiting a primary care physician for  a 20 minute appointment is hardly the solution for a differential  diagnosis. These unfortunates require a realistic reparenting program designed to foster a sense of trust between human beings

Neurology with its mapping of the brain has identified areas in the amygdala, hypothalamic pituitary  adrenal axis that contribute to loneliness and a poorly functioning brain.  It's been suggested that a rewiring of the brain can occur with appropriate positive social interactions. However, social media doesn't rebuild efficient  rewiring or brain functioning.

Our  unbalanced socioeconomic system along with parenting irregularities , contribute to the symptom of  loneliness.  Loneliness  nor implanting trust can't be repaired by surgery . As of now, we do not have the  political will , the resources or priorities to replace mistrust with trust , overcoming toxic parenting or authoritarian politicians.  Additionally,policies like making abortion a crime , banning books and allowing access to dangerous weapons,  attacking the criminal justice  and voting system  only increases  isolation, hate, sadism, disrespecting moral, ethical and humanistic values..Profit,not children adults, others  or loneliness are the country’s most precious values . On the other hand, the theme of union and separation remains per month.  The lifespan of humans.  Everyone is effective.  Just pay attention to the many novels and movies addressing those themes . The significance of unions and separation cannot be understated, as they provide an insight  into  well-being.

Reference

The New York Times July 16, 2023.  If Loneliness Is an Epidemic, How Do We Treat It?

Covid -19 Vaccines

 As a result of a recent maderna booster for Linda and I and an article  in The New York Times, May 5, 2024 titled "Could the Covid 19 Vaccines Have Caused Some People Harm?"  prompted this article.  Linda and I have been vaccinated with either Moderna or Pfizer  8 times  and we both contracted  a mild case of Covid 19 a few years ago . In addition to the vaccines , we also have worn masks although lately, not consistently. A few questions to consider: 1.  How harmful are the side effects of the vaccines?  2.  Do the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the side effects?  3.How do we navigate the misinformation of the vaccines?

In this article, there were a number of testimonials pertaining to negative  vaccine outcomes.  Note, the Covid vaccines have been given to more than 270 million people in the United States with nearly 677 million doses.  Thousands of Americans believe they have suffered serious side effects following the Covid vaccinations . As of April, just over 13,000 vaccine injury compensation claims have been filed with the federal government; only 19% had been reviewed ;only 47 of those were deemed eligible for compensation and only 12 have been paid out  with an average of about $3600. 

The following are brief testimonials regarding  the alleged side effects of the vaccines in the US : 1.  A 37-year-old PhD in neuroscience stated that she was diagnosed with brain damage and cannot work, drive or even stand for long periods of time.  2.  A 54-year-old nurse practitioner stated that ever since his first Covid shot, merely standing up sent his heart racing.  His  symptoms  are suggestive of postural orthostatic tachycardia, a neurological disorder that some studies have linked to both Covid, and much less  often vaccination . Health officials are skeptical of his complaint. 3.  A 49-year-old physical therapist developed Bell's palsy, a form of facial paralysis usually temporary.   Bell’s  palsy is a known side effect of other vaccines and it has been linked to covid vaccination in some studies.   Health the visuals are skeptical of her complaint 4. A  68  year old physician stated that a whooshing sound in his ears had accompanied every moment since his first shot, and his entreaties to colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to explore the phenomenon of  Tinnitus  led nowhere.  5.  A 50-year-old doctor.  said his tinnitus and racing heart lasted about a week after each shot.  

One Immunologist stated that  post vaccination injuries are just completely ignored, dismissed  and gaslighted .  Federal health officials insisted that serious side effects are extremely rare  and their surveillance efforts  were more than sufficient to detect patterns of adverse events.  However, one doctor , a leader in the food and drug administration ,believed  that some recipients have experienced uncommon but serious and life-changing reactions beyond those described by federal agencies. 

 A number of challenges and problems are related to our fragmented healthcare system . The ability to detect very serious side effects depends on analysis of huge amounts of data .It’s a difficult task when a patient may be tested for covid at Walgreens ,gets vaccinated at CVS , visits a  local clinic for minor ailments and then reports to a hospital for serious conditions.  There is no central repository of vaccine recipients of medical records, and no easy way to analyze the data.  The government's understaffed compensation fund has paid so little because it officially recognizes few side effects for the vaccines.

Some countries have centralized healthcare systems.  Officials have actively sought out reports of serious side effects of the vaccines and  have reached conclusions that US health authorities have not.  A few reports follow: 1.  In Hong Kong ,a lot of mild cases included that in rare instances, the Pfizer BioN tech vaccine triggered shingles serious enough to require hospitalizations.  2.  The European Medicines Agency found Pfizer and Moderna vaccines  associated with facial paralysis, tingling sensations, and numbness.  The EMA also found counts of tinnitus side effects of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 3.  US officials were not the first to identify a significant Covid vaccine side effect myocarditis in  young people receiving mRNA vaccines that was  first reported by Israeli  authorities in 2021.  4.  Researchers in Australia published a study linking tinnitus and vertigo to the vaccines.

According to scientists and government officials , much of the narrative on the purported dangers of Covid vaccines are false or at least exaggerated.  The scale of the misinformation is staggering and everything was twisted to make it seem like it's not just the devastating side effect but proof of a massive cover-up . According to a vice dean at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ,among the hundreds of millions of Americans who were immunized for Covid ,some members would have had heart attacks and strokes ; and some would have miscarried  .How to distinguish those from the  vaccine from those that are coincidences are problematic and require research. Perhaps common sense and credibility of the reporter  requires objectivity.

A few weeks ago, on a Tuesday, Linda and I had a Madera booster vaccine.  The following morning I had a dry mouth and didn't feel 100%.  I went to the kitchen to make my smoothie . Shortly, I experienced  nausea, lightheadedness, and was unable to catch myself falling to the floor.  Before I hit the floor, my head landed on a large crockpot.  I lay there for a short time.and realized that I was bleeding . The phone rang.  Sidne called and I heard 911.  I immediately got up and told them both that I didn't need 911.  Sidne had a Merry Maids worker nearby and sent her over.  In the meantime, I washed off my wound and stopped the bleeding.  When Marie arrived, I had her bandage my head.

Later that morning.  Christie arrived and suggested that I see a doctor to get stitches   to avoid  infection.  I wasn't thrilled about going to the emergency room but agreed to go to an urgent care facility.  There, I was evaluated by a student  in training, followed by  a doctor .  The doctor was worried about potential brain  bleeding and told me that she could close the wound with staples  but would have to report  the incident to the DMV.  The DMV would put a hold on my license until I had a neurological exam.  The other option was proceeding to an emergency  at the hospital for a neurological exam.

I obviously left for  the hospital option   There ,I was given a brain scan , EKG  and blood work.  After negative results, the physician put in  five staples, told me to have them removed in 10 to 14 days and said goodbye.  The wound healed  and I had the staples removed in 13 days by my primary physician. 

The doctor  noted the side effects in my chart and gave me this link to report -https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html ..

In conclusion, yes, there are side effects with all vaccinations.  The five stories in the New York Times  are scary to say the least.  It's true that only research provided by the government can realistically assess side effects.  However, the number of variables are staggering . A research model with a central database would be required to adequately track and evaluate vaccinations.  In addition a realistic compensation program is also required.  Of course, the task falls on Congress.  Linda and I plan, at this point, to continue receiving the vaccination boosters while paying attention ..

Capitalism and Illness

   

 

The medical health , insurance , food   and pharmaceutical industry exploits and contributes to man’s needs and cravings so that about 70% of American adults are obese or overweight with its negative  ramifications  . Instead of working to address this complex problem,the   pharmaceutical industry has produced a  quick “fix “ with GLP-1 drugs like  Ozempic ,Wegovy, Mounjaro ,  Semaglutide and Zepbound in order to  lower blood sugar  and  appetite cravings . .Two articles in the New York Times titled “The documented benefits of Ozempic,Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs keep growing by the week-and we have no idea where it will end “ on 4/28/24 and  “Remedy Sought to Counter Muscle Loss from  Ozempic on 2/11/ 24 are  the topics of this essay.  

It’s not surprising that we have poor  mental and physical  health results.  Food addiction and the multitude of problems associated with obesity and being overweight are staggering.  These conditions include heart disease, stroke,  hundreds of other comorbidities and death.  The first article praised the benefits of these drugs but didn't make clear the research to support the many uses or long term effects of these GLP-1 drugs.

GLP.1 drugs have been used to treat  the following : 1. Type 1 diabetes  2.. Moderate to severe kidney disease 3. Reducing fatty liver deposits in patients with HIV and nonalcoholic steatotic liver disease; 4. Menstrual cycles of those with  polycystic ovary syndrome; 5. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, 6. depression, anxiety,and schizophrenia, 7. Alcoholism and drug addiction 8.; Compulsive shopping, and sex addiction 9. Gambling , nail biting ,smoking and skin picking. Wow!

GLP-1 drugs are extremely expensive and cost more than private companies currently pay per employee into employer-based insurance in total.  At present  ,few private insurers cover the cost of  these drugs for weight loss.  Researchers calculated that at current prices, the cost of providing these GLP 1 drugs to all Americans who could benefit from them would grow past.  $1 trillion annually . This amount is more than the full annual cost of Medicare, or even that of the US military .

 The second article addressed the wonders of capitalism .Profiters  are creative in developing  ways to counteract the muscle loss that can happen with these medications.  Not only does the individual lose body weight but also significant muscle loss  . Post menopausal women in particular are at risk for becoming frail or developing osteoporosis.  It was pointed out that older individuals are also at high risk because of weakness, fatigue and falling episodes that result in more complications.  It was stated, according to one physician, that losing weight doesn't always translate into becoming  healthier.

Numerous  companies   for profit are now creating services that include  : 1.Strength training; nutritionist  and meal delivery services  with plans to help patients eat enough protein; 2. Drug companies like Eli Lily are  developing combination treatments that prevent  just muscle loss .  They are also creating  other compounds to help people achieve more optimal balance of muscle and fat which can even imitate hormones produced during exercise that can improve muscle metabolism function.  The article went on to list a number of other programs with various methods to deal with this current money bonanza .

There are two ways to fight muscle loss that include eating  the right amount of protein and doing  some form of strength training . As a result, companies are capitalizing on both  : 1.Making protein shakes 2. Meal delivery services with a new companion food collection 3.Connecting people with dietitians  that provide protein intake and pay attention to the risk of malnutrition.  4. Behavioral health coaching for weight loss  5 . Online  fitness videos and  a protein tracker scale. 6.Personal training for people on these  medications.  7. A platform partnering with a viral care company with prescribed weight loss drugs and development of a muscle guard exercise program.

Pleasure for  profit exploits a  humans' addiction  for  the  pursuit of  food for comfort and pleasure . And, the corporate food industry creates and reinforces addiction with unhealthy fat, sugar , salt and chemically laden  foods . .Also, corporate food establishments offer  extraordinary unhealthy meal portions .Furthermore ,a  profitable corporate   healthcare industry  complex  identifies and treats illnesses  like obesity ,cardiovascular  disease and diabetes largely based on lifestyle choices  . Profitable Big Pharma comes to the rescue with innovating products to treat but not cure. Meanwhile creative  enterprises  offer diets and exercise regimens to assist with the erroneous lifestyle decisions . In essence, no one has to change their pursuits . Unfortunately,  capitalism and health are  the problem as they are too interrelated.   .

It's About Donald

 Donald Trump exhibits antisocial behavior.  Federally ,he's  charged with 88 felony charges ; found guilty twice in civil courts    and currently is undergoing an election interference  criminal trial in New York.  Irrespective of his  current legal issues, he continues, sadistic commentary  attacking and undermining the justice system and whines about being scapegoated. In an unfair legal  system  that has ,in essence, been  exceptionally fair.to him .  This essay relates to Trump’s  pathological narcissistic  personality.

In the Greek legend, the beautiful lad Narcissus ,rejected the love of the nymph Echo who  consequently died of a broken heart.  Nemesis punished him by making him fall in love with the reflection of his own image. While admiring his reflection,  Narcissus fell into the lake and died

Sigmund Freud , in his psychodynamic model described both normal and pathological  narcissism as key motivational determinants. Man begins in a state of primary narcissism as the infant leaves the womb to  be born.  In  primary narcissism, the only reality for the infant is itself ,its body, its physical  sensations of cold , warmth , thirst , need for sleep and bodily contact. With development , the infant’s libido or psychic energy then transfers from  self to the external world .. The infant is now  able to differentiate itself from what is not part of “ self.". During this development , the infant  widens its scope and intensity to other objects. In the outer world . It proceeds and evolves from absolute  primary narcissism to a  capacity for objective reasoning and  necessity for object love or  to  a state of secondary narcissism . Secondary narcissism  is a most powerful and necessary determinant for human behavior . However, sometimes a person becomes  unable to proceed and develop normally from a state of primary narcissism "I" to secondary narcissism" objects in the external world, "  It’s as if there was a barrier blocking the flow of psychic energy between  proceeding from primary to secondary narcissism along with  tendencies reverting back to the primary state. With pathology  , psychic energy behavior  is  directed toward self. and  the  residue of  psychic energy or behavior  is directed against others passively, ,aggressively  sadistically, ,dominantly,  seductively, manipulatively , without a genuine  concern or a social interest  for the humane treatment of man and his community 

The major  implications for pathological   narcissism is associated with difficulty in perceiving reality realistically  with  a preoccupation with oneself . For example, there is little psychic energy  directed to the welfare of others . Instead the  psychic energy becomes projected as an aspect of his  personality,intelligence , physical looks,  powers, ability  ideas and skill . In his mind, he’s  the smartest  businessman, most intelligent, most knowledgeable,  and a master negotiator  and because of his disease cannot accept failure  or criticism  . He knows more than his attorney's , can defy gag orders  and attack judges, prosecutors etc. He can inflate or deflate  the value of  his real estate because they are his. All things that he possesses are extraordinarily wonderful . He tells the crowd  at rallies- he “loves” them  which is actually  his narcissistic attachment - he loves himself and they belong to him .

How could he, the most wonderful, powerful,have a small crowd at his  inauguration , at any of his rallies or lose an election ? Somebody cheated.  Criticizing NATO, pulling out of the Paris Accord and Iran’s nuclear regulation,and tariffs on China  are his accomplishments .

.Trump attributes himself above the interest of anyone or anything  else.  He can steal elections and he can impede the transfer of power.   Trump is more important than the interest of the Republic  Constitution  or  Rule of Law as evidenced by the  numerous antisocial acts related to the 2020 election .  His fear of losing property and the presidency was on display with the inordinate   expenditure of psychic energy in attempting to hang on to power. .His actions, the actions of his  attorneys ,Judge Cannon and the Supreme Court  has demonstrated his influence and his need to remain in control  for survival.

Trump has normalized taking over the government, the institutions  ,criminal justice  and the Republican Party. It's his to do whatever he wants.  It fits within his frame of reference for self.  He does what's best for him regardless.  He can break the rules,  the laws because he's entitled , his prerogative and he is the law. It’s for him to control .And he spreads lies about the legal system.  In the past, he claimed he could shoot somebody in New York and get away with it.  Now he's complaining that he can't get a fair trial in New York.  In other words, his lies reflect messages to his followers, and what is best for him.  

Television, social media, etc. are powerful reinforcements for a narcissistic personality.  The person, the image is displayed.  Trump has easily mastered the  ability to market or promote  himself  to be the news. .  His TV show was perfect for this narcissist and by becoming president was a dream come true as he became the world's focus.

The historical danger of pathological  narcissism pertains to Caesar, Hitler, Putin and others.  Their power exists.  They are not only above the law, they are the law . They  attained absolute power and their word is the ultimate judgment of everything.  There is no limit to their capacity to do whatever they want . They became God's and  built monuments .  They wanted the impossible . In fact, their megalomania seems to be a reasonable feeling as  everybody agrees that they are God-like ,the most powerful , the wisest of men, and thus able to lead all others. 

In summary, the development of proceeding from normal  primary to secondary narcissism has great implications for man. Man ,in secondary narcissism ,has the capacity to be able to love ,respect , cooperate, and work together for the common good.  This means , with a motivation for social interest,  man  can assist others in helping to build justice , a better democracy for all as stated in our Pledge of Allegiance   However,  tendencies for pathological narcissism undermines objectivity, love, truth, morality, democracy  and humanistic values.setting the foundation for authoritarianism .

Reference

From  Erich The Heart of Man  , it's genius for good and evil.