We Are The Way We are Because That Is The Way We Expect To Be or 7 Absolutes That Are Not

We Are The Way We are Because That Is The Way We Expect To Be or 7 Absolutes That Are Not

I have been kicking this idea around in my cranium for some time, trying, as it were, to get my head around it.  I mean people keep talking about it as though the statement is self-explanatory and really it is deep, convoluted and intricate.

My blogging friend Katherine Gordy Lewis found at http://emotionalfitnesstraining.com/2011/11/28/from-the-downhill-slope-75/ addressed one of ten brain myths published by Smithsonian.com found at 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Top-Ten-Myths-About-the-Brain.html?c=y&page=2&device=ipad&c=y

Having read her blog and then the link, the troublesome thoughts I have about why we are the way we are resurfaced again.  It just seems to me our belief systems are screwed up because we choose to believe what others tell us.  For some reason “an official study shows” …leads to automatic acquiescence.

Now I can’t possibly ask you to automatically believe what The Smithsonian says also but do give some thought and listen to your own gut.  Maybe what we need to do is adopt a healthy old sixties questioning of everything and I mean everything.  

So what do I NOT believe?

1. Everyone needs 8 glasses of water a day?  No way – long ago disproved.

2. Hair and nails continue to grow after death?  Nope but I have a friend also a nurse who will not buy into the truth.

3.  Sugar makes kids hyper?  Disproved ages ago.  If your children misbehave and get all rangy it’s because you expect them to and children always live up to your expectations…and that is the truth!

4. Mobile phones are dangerous in hospital? Pulease!

5.  Two year olds should be in school?  A latest early education study and the public will probably let the politicians get away with it even though they have already said it will cost a fortune (which by the way was probably your formal notice on increased cost just incase you get a little irritated when they decide to up those old taxes)

6. Everyone should vote?  I believe everyone should have the right to vote but you also should have the right not to vote if you so wish.  If you have no understanding of the candidates or issues and are only going to guess, well that could be more damaging.  I do believe if you don’t vote you cannot or should not gripe about the kind of official you ended up with.

7. Bad parenting = bad children and good parenting = good children.  Let’s not confuse general rules as absolutes.

Well we are not going to hit 10 as I find making this list rather annoying and we haven’t even touched on government mind manipulation of official studies.

I think probably the biggest myth or misconception is that people we vote into power are all great minds or even average minds.

Hmm and we have not even gotten into the meat of the matter about why we are the way we are because that is the way we expect to be.

Once Fact Now Myth..What’s a Girl to Believe

Once Facts Now Myths

I do not consider myself a paranoid or a distrusting person but am finding I mistrust absolute truths..hmm perhaps that does make me a mistruster of facts.  One thing I have learned with age…I mean experience- keep an open mind.  What is presented as fact is not necessarily true, in fact given enough time and study most ‘truths’ will be debunked.  It’s all about perception and what we choose to believe.

1)  Sugar makes children hyperactive.
I have never believed this one and am glad the truth finally came out..in a number of studies. I feel vindicated.  If the children are out of control it is due to things other than sugar.

2)  Another myth debunked was that people lost up to 45 per cent of their body heat through the head.
Now I have to admit I could easily buy into this one as you/we have major arteries and veins shielded by a thin skinned neck so it makes sense that if left uncovered your circulatory system would hit sub zero temps more quickly. But apparently not!

3)  Eating at night makes you fat. False. People gain weight because they take in more calories overall than they burn up, regardless of when the calories are consumed.
You know I have a hard time with this one.  After all if you consume more calories and then partake in some form of exercise to increase your metabolism, which is probably earlier in the day would those calories not be used up?  Hmm maybe the key is in increasing your metabolism but it still seems that if you ingest lots and lots of calories and then just sleep doesn’t it make sense that those calories will nestle into your fat cells and never ever move.  It ‘feels’ like eating at night does make you fat!

4)  Drinking water, taking Aspirin, eating bananas, etc. will cure a hangover. False. “A hangover is caused by excess alcohol consumption. Thus, the most effective way to avoid a hangover is to consume alcohol only in moderation or not at all,” 
Now my own thoughts are- there must be a way of mitigating the effects of a hangover other than doing the moderation thing.  There just must be.

Above facts credited here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2008/12/17/festive-myths.html

For some Canadian myths please visit:
http://www.thecanadapage.org/Canadian_Myths.htm

5). Climate has always changed, and it always will. The assumption that prior to the industrial revolution the Earth had a “stable” climate is simply wrong. The only sensible thing to do about climate change is to prepare for it.
Now this one I totally believe in.  Every ten thousand years or so the earth has undergone dramatic climate change and we are due.  Sure we are making a mess of the earth but that doesn’t change the fact that previous warming effects had nothing to do with mankind.  I believe we should be vigilante but if we think we are going to change the cycle of time then it’s time to get real.
Check it out:
http://www.rense.com/general88/climchn.htm