Chew and Screw | 16 comments (16 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Chew and Screw (4.00 / 2)

The solution to the problem of elders is to incorporate them into a family with several generations living together. The problem then is to avoid going crazy.

by asdf on Thu Nov 27th, 2008 at 12:54:15 PM EST

Re: Chew and Screw (4.00 / 2)

To be honest I think we (who live western kind of life ) are already crazy.
Alienation (isolation) in ALL segments of society is so "big and wide" that it is actually scary. Don't get me start to explain what I mean, I wouldn't know where to start...really the topic is so huge...

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind...Albert Einstein

by vbo on Thu Nov 27th, 2008 at 10:30:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (none / 1)

I've been trying to explain it for several years. As my Russian boss said "Now I have lived in two socialist countries".

by Lasthorseman on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 06:39:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (4.00 / 2)

Not just alienation but emotional sterility as well. In other words, we're zombies.

To be honest, the above is half the reason I'm on this trip. Travelers actually like to talk.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Sat Nov 29th, 2008 at 08:53:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (4.00 / 2)

The solution to the problem of elders is to incorporate them into a family with several generations living together.

Not if said elder is abusive in any way or if there has been major dysfunction between relatives. I understand making multigenerational living more socially acceptable for those who want to do it, but let's keep assisted living/nursing homes in the realm of the socially acceptable as well.

by lychee on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 05:39:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (none / 0)

Europe is supposed to be somewhat Progressive. Where do I go for a final dose of euthanasia when I want it? Nothing fancy. Just a couple pills, lie down, and I'm out of here.

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 05:50:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (none / 1)

Twank, don't take this the wrong way! I have long felt that much of the establishment would like to condemn us to linger as long as possible and to consume as many medical dis-services as possible before dying. An unholy alliance of fundamentalism corporate interests and a government that caters to both. We see what has happened to Jack Kevorkian and we saw what the Bush administration did to stymie Oregon's Right to Die law.

I have freaked out many friends by saying that the final act of social defiance is to end one's life on one's own terms, but that is what I believe. To relatives and others who say that this is for God to decide I have said: "God either doesn't care or is a sadistic bastard." I love life and want to live as long as I can in conditions that are satisfactory to myself, but no longer. Then I want to be able to drink my cyanide Cool-Aid. By trying to oppose such self determined actions all these folks are doing is putting pressure on people to end their lives while they still have the power to do so on their own, and earlier than they otherwise would have to do so.

There used to be a Hemlock Society. Somewhere I have an envelope full of practical information from them. They appear to have a successor organization.successor organization. I haven't checked them out. I hope that I have another 20-30 years before I will need them. I hope by that time that such issues will be dealt with more rationally.

Hope springs eternal in the human breast.
Man n'er is but is always to be blest.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 09:49:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Nothing to take the wrong way, Geez. (none / 1)

Swear to God, sometimes I think I should start up my own religion. For me, being stuck in the gravity well of this rock (Earth) revolving around one power source (the sun) and helpless to watch as the dominant species destroys the biosphere for themselves and for so many other life forms is either a prison or Hell. I actually look forward to shedding this flesh-bag I tool around in, just for a CHANCE of finding out what is REALLY going on.

I have my suspicions.

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 11:53:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Nothing to take the wrong way, Geez. (none / 1)

Chronic pain saps the will to live. From what you have posted, I suspect you are all too familiar with this ugly fact. Meanwhile, take such pleasures as you may.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sat Nov 29th, 2008 at 12:23:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Nothing to take the wrong way, Geez. (none / 1)

Yup, but it wouldn't be so bad if the dominant species wasn't so ....

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sat Nov 29th, 2008 at 04:38:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Nothing to take the wrong way, Geez. (none / 1)

Yes, that adds the bitter to so many of our thoroughly alloyed pleasures.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sat Nov 29th, 2008 at 05:44:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (none / 1)

I agree. The ridiculous thing is that in this culture, due to the miserable influence of Christianity, one has to DEFEND the idea. Of course in the classical world it could be a perfectly reasonable and honourable thing to do, though they drew the line at what you might call sentimental suicide:

But the Romans fully approved of what might be termed "patriotic suicide"; death, in other words, as an alternative to dishonour... They disapproved of Mark Antony not because he killed himself, but that he killed himself for love.

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice.

by Ted Welch (tedwelch-at-mac-dot-com) on Sat Nov 29th, 2008 at 06:49:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (none / 0)

They do not have to be abusive...it's hard to be old and even harder for those around old people.
Today 50% of marriages end up being divorced so today's family is dysfunctional anyway.They can't stand to live with each other even for the sake of kids, how anyone can expect they'll live with old sick and by life ruined and nervous parents???

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind...Albert Einstein

by vbo on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 08:34:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Chew and Screw (none / 1)

Not against having the "choice" between an institution vs in home family care, it is the mechanics of it.

Institution in this case means the entire medical establishment geared toward the illusion of privacy in medical records when the reality is far from it.
Download it in both formats while you still can.

http://www.patientprivacyrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Who_Can_See_Your_Medical_Records

by Lasthorseman on Sun Nov 30th, 2008 at 05:52:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Chew and Screw | 16 comments (16 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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