RAUNCHY OFFICE

BUSINESS WEEK (2008) 3/17

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Is the workplace getting raunchier? Novations an organization that measures that and other things dealing with white collar say” yes.” From 2006 to 2007, men do not report any increase, but hear more than women. Women say there is an increase sexual innuendo, and related. Why might this be happening? First, it may be a valid increase. Another is that women are less afraid to report such things. Additionally, men see women more as peers and thus have become more open. For whatever reason, there appears to be a social change in the white collar office.

NEWSWEEK (2008) 3/17

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In numerous experiments and and anecdotal accounts, placebos appear to “work.” In other words, patients feel relieve, more tranquil, and other pleasant outcomes. Why? The individual believes in the pill or treatment and the in the brain opoids have analgesic effects like morphine and the pain is naturally reduced or minimized.

One author was involved in a car accident and was burned over 70% of his body. It took 3 years to get better, but he noticed that another patient nearby would beg and crave morphine. He found out later that the nurse was instructed to give the patient a placebo needle injection. Within an hour, the patient had fallen back to sleep. All of this does not mean that medicines don’t work, what it does mean is how can we tapped into this alternative system? Could it be through prayer, meditation, or placebo medications placed on the market? Further, the more expensive the medicine, the more it” works.” How do you patent such a thing? How do you advertise? One suggestion is that perhaps half to a quarter of the pills are “real.” and the other pills are inert (placebos.) If this is in low dosages and the patient is hypochondriacally, this may be the strategy. The placebo must be prescribed and it must cost something. Rumors may abound about the placebo medications, but no one knows for sure. For those who abuse meds, this may be the way to go.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT (2008) 3/17

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FINDINGS

*The more talks a parents have with children the better.

 *Some of your pills may be really hurting you or hurting you when you take one med in combination with another med. Laxatives can reduce the efficacy of other pills.

* A ten year study suggests that hyper activity meds do not have long term maladaptive outcomes. Those on Ritalin and others are less likely to use drugs. It also helps with depression.

 *The more long term exercise appears to help everyone’s health.

(Talk with your medical doctor before making changes.)  

SCHWARTZ/ GUNS

38-43

Forty percent own a gun. Two-thirds of Americans support the use of a gun and oppose gun bans. Assault weapons are now legal again. Congress supported a national data base for those folks who are mentally ill or felons from buying a gun from a gun store.