Angelina Jolie is the latest celeb to weigh in on a medical matter. Admittedly, her double mastectomy a few years ago apparently encouraged many women to get themselves checked, and her recent ovary-removing surgery will hopefully highlight the drastic improvement it can have on ovarian cancer prognoses, but as this article points out, Jolie has touted some very dodgy medical claims in the past. (I'm not hatin' on Angie by the way.)
And she's by no means the only celeb to opine on matters that she really has no business opining on. Who can forget Gwyneth Paltrow's recent advice to get thee straight to LA to steam your vag. Or something. I quote - “You sit on what is essentially a mini-throne, and a combination of infrared and mugwort steam cleanses your uterus, et al. It is an energetic release—not just a steam douche—that balances female hormone levels. If you’re in LA, you have to do it.”
Why? Why do they think they have the knowledge to advise others on medical matters? And more importantly, why do people listen to them? As a selfless act of public service, I have delved into the matter a little further, - reading a meta-narrative analysis from the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) no less. Apparently we "consume endorsed items to acquire the endorsing celebrities' traits, which have become associated with the product." So in popping off to LA and steaming our va-jay-jays we are subconsciously hoping that we'll get Gwynnie's pert little bum and glossy hair as a by-product. It's called the "Halo Effect" - "The specific success of celebrities is generalized to all their traits, biasing people to view them as credible medical advisors." In short, if we liked Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, we will probably also think she knows what she's talking about in the medical field.
And when we don't follow their advice, we experience "cognitive dissonance" - mental stress or discomfort experienced when we receive new information (from said celeb) that conflicts with our existing beliefs, ideas or values. So, even if you raised an eyebrow at Gwynie's claim that a vaginal steam douche could "balance female hormones", were you a fan, it would stress you out to admit it. Even worse, we also apparently follow celebrity medical advice to gain social status and shape our social identities. How shallow.
So - next time you hear your favorite actor talking about how this plant or that cream can save the planet, pause for a second. Not only should you be asking where this person received his or her Medical Degree, you should also be asking yourself what crazy personal need is driving you to act on the faux advice.
Time for some introspection methinks.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Social Media - Assume The Best
That's my mantra, and I'm really trying to stick to it. When on social media, don't jump to conclusions you have no basis for. Assume the best.
With the written word, it's very easy to read comments with your own mood or bias as the back drop. I was shocked recently to be called "malicious" on a serious discussion thread. A woman had left a comment about third world sweat shops, cheap clothing and what we can do to improve the situation. I simply wanted to expand on her comment. We were so on the same page. Admittedly I should have started mine with "Absolutely" or "Agreed" instead of just launching in to more of what she was saying. Her response to my response was stunning. She was absolutely livid with me and thought I was being a complete bitch. It took me about five readings of my comment to figure out how she had come to her conclusion and I never got to explain myself because the newspaper closed the thread. Pah!
If you think about it, almost any comment or Tweet can be taken at least two different ways. It's a minefield. Try saying this in an angry, accusing voice and then in a genuine, inquiring one -
"How did you reach that conclusion?"
or
"Why would anyone do that?"
Sigh. Once on the "being offended" path, there's almost no going back for most people. One side tries to explain what they really meant and the other side can't swallow his/her pride and accept it. Instead s/he remains righteous and indignant, and it becomes "Well, you should have......" etc. and all judgmentally.
So let's all try to pause, read a comment twice and look for the best instead of the worst shall we? And let's remind each other from time to time too.
With the written word, it's very easy to read comments with your own mood or bias as the back drop. I was shocked recently to be called "malicious" on a serious discussion thread. A woman had left a comment about third world sweat shops, cheap clothing and what we can do to improve the situation. I simply wanted to expand on her comment. We were so on the same page. Admittedly I should have started mine with "Absolutely" or "Agreed" instead of just launching in to more of what she was saying. Her response to my response was stunning. She was absolutely livid with me and thought I was being a complete bitch. It took me about five readings of my comment to figure out how she had come to her conclusion and I never got to explain myself because the newspaper closed the thread. Pah!
If you think about it, almost any comment or Tweet can be taken at least two different ways. It's a minefield. Try saying this in an angry, accusing voice and then in a genuine, inquiring one -
"How did you reach that conclusion?"
or
"Why would anyone do that?"
Sigh. Once on the "being offended" path, there's almost no going back for most people. One side tries to explain what they really meant and the other side can't swallow his/her pride and accept it. Instead s/he remains righteous and indignant, and it becomes "Well, you should have......" etc. and all judgmentally.
So let's all try to pause, read a comment twice and look for the best instead of the worst shall we? And let's remind each other from time to time too.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Bullying - Bringing out the Best in People?
As I mentioned in my last few posts, there's quite a lot of bullying on t'Internet isn't there? For reasons we have yet to figure out, people seem to think that if they're not physically next to someone, they can say or do whatever the heck they like.
Sometimes though, it brings out the best in people. Other people, that is. People who could really just walk away, ignore the troll or sink to that same vile level, choose to be the better person.
Last week, we had the truly spiteful (and probably very damaged) Katie Hopkins, trying to lambast the very talented Kelly Clarkson for her post pregnancy weight. Thing is though, it only served to show us what a lovely, confident and yes, generous person Clarkson is.
Another unbelievable example of fat-shaming and bullying happened when two utter A-holes took photos of a heavy set gentleman having fun and dancing in a pub. Apparently they were laughing so hard at him, he stopped. Just look at the shame and sadness on his face in the second photo. Breaks my heart. The post said "Spotted this specimen trying to dance the other week. He stopped when he saw us laughing." Way to go there folks. Your parents much be so proud.
But this is where it all gets good. Rightful outrage led to a Twiiter hashtag #FindDancingMan and...well, here's the story. He's being flown to LA for a huge dance party, with famous DJs and musicians now offering to help. Brava to the young lady who started the campaign to let him dance.
And then of course, there's Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban as punishment for her outspoken views on the regime and for her call for education for young women. Her assassination attempt caused international outrage and more than 2 million signatures on the Right to Education Campaign. This in turn, led to the ratification of Pakistan's first right to education bill. Malala is now a global advocate for the right of young women to be educated and she is c-founder of The Malala Fund. In 2014 she was co-recipeint of the Nobel Peace Prize and has gained international admiration for her work.
So I guess what I'm saying is that, bullying may be all around us, but it's usually met with an even greater force!
As Cassandra Fairbanks (who found Dancing Man) said - "I hope people realize how easy it is to do something good. I didn't even leave my couch and look at what happened."
Sometimes though, it brings out the best in people. Other people, that is. People who could really just walk away, ignore the troll or sink to that same vile level, choose to be the better person.
Last week, we had the truly spiteful (and probably very damaged) Katie Hopkins, trying to lambast the very talented Kelly Clarkson for her post pregnancy weight. Thing is though, it only served to show us what a lovely, confident and yes, generous person Clarkson is.
Another unbelievable example of fat-shaming and bullying happened when two utter A-holes took photos of a heavy set gentleman having fun and dancing in a pub. Apparently they were laughing so hard at him, he stopped. Just look at the shame and sadness on his face in the second photo. Breaks my heart. The post said "Spotted this specimen trying to dance the other week. He stopped when he saw us laughing." Way to go there folks. Your parents much be so proud.
But this is where it all gets good. Rightful outrage led to a Twiiter hashtag #FindDancingMan and...well, here's the story. He's being flown to LA for a huge dance party, with famous DJs and musicians now offering to help. Brava to the young lady who started the campaign to let him dance.
And then of course, there's Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban as punishment for her outspoken views on the regime and for her call for education for young women. Her assassination attempt caused international outrage and more than 2 million signatures on the Right to Education Campaign. This in turn, led to the ratification of Pakistan's first right to education bill. Malala is now a global advocate for the right of young women to be educated and she is c-founder of The Malala Fund. In 2014 she was co-recipeint of the Nobel Peace Prize and has gained international admiration for her work.
So I guess what I'm saying is that, bullying may be all around us, but it's usually met with an even greater force!
As Cassandra Fairbanks (who found Dancing Man) said - "I hope people realize how easy it is to do something good. I didn't even leave my couch and look at what happened."
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