Puzzle 11: An enlightening cryptogram
See Answer page for puzzle 11.
Puzzle 11: An enlightening cryptogram
Category: Uncategorized
Puzzle 12: A fallen phrase for the heart
Discover the Possibilities
Discover the Possibilities
“There is some homework.”
That is how this article started, as a homework assignment for my youngest child.
It was said to me by my kid’s music teacher as we chatted after a lesson in the hallway. He always assigns some fun or interesting videos to watch and lets me know about it too, as a reminder.
The assignment: Watch Herbie Hancock’s Possibilities movie. If that wasn’t possible, try to at least watch some of the songs from the album on YouTube.
Herbie Hancock? The first thought that went through my head was “Rockit” from the 1980s.
What a throwback! The “Rockit” video was also popular, but I included the performance because Herbie has mentioned that it was one of the greatest nights of his life with the exhilarating performance. It is also how I remember it, by watching it as a teeny-bopper on tv. Check out the famous faces in the front row at the end. Awesome!
Ah the memories of the early 80s, the rap and rollerskating. If you are a kid of the 80s, here is a YouTube mix of early hip hop and rap that will bring you back. I have to say that the breakdancing and the movie Flashdance really helped form my lifelong appreciation of dance. Anyway, I digress.
I am embarrassed to say that not much else came to mind about Herbie Hancock. I knew he was a musician, but that was pretty much it. My musical tastes are varied. I prefer upbeat dance-worthy music for listening. For background music, I am open to jazz, world, instrumental, or whatever. I do try to steer clear of music that is too melancholy. Life can be hard enough sometimes and I like to use music to bring me up or relax me. I don’t want to have to analyze it or it to bum me out. So, that is the extent of my music preferences.
I looked up the movie when we got home and I put it on my movie queue. When it arrived in the mail a few days later, we made it a family viewing event. Wow. I know I am a little late to the party because I hadn’t heard of Possibilities until it was recommended to me and it was released years ago. I guess it is better late than never.
I was so inspired by it that I had to read the book and listen to the album by the same name. That is why I want to share my thoughts with you. Thus, the topic of this review article is Herbie Hancock: Possibilities.
Who is Herbie Hancock?
Herbie Hancock at 2013 Kennedy Center Honor Awards
Herbie Hancock is a jazz musician and icon.
He was born in Chicago, IL in 1940. He started playing classical piano at a young age and performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he was 11. He became interested in jazz in high school.
Because of his technical nature and curiosity, when he attended college he initially studied electrical engineering. He couldn’t let go of his love for music and eventually double-majored in engineering and music.
His love of science drove his innovation in music by incorporating the newest technology into his music making. To me, this really displays the connection between music and math. Of course, being an engineer myself this leaves a little bit of a soft spot in my heart for him. *smile*
Over his long and prolific career in music he has worked with countless talents. He has produced at least 53 albums. He also has written jingles and movie scores, one of which won an oscar. He musical accomplishments are so vast and wide-ranging that I couldn’t possibly list them all here. If you want to learn more about them, visit the Herbie Hancock website.
He is a Nichiren Buddhist, which he initially took up to help him perform better musically. It is now a heavy influence on his entire life.
He has been appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. If you don’t know about UNESCO, you should look it up. It is an international organization based on bringing peace through education, science, and culture. Everything I love!
He also uses his talent to work with the UCLA Music department and Harvard University spreading his wisdom and expertise. Neat!
Awards (too many to list so just some highlights)
- Jazz Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award
- SF Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2013 Kennedy Center Honors
- Miles Davis Award
- NEA Jazz Masters Award
- 14 Grammy awards
- 1 Academy awards
- 5 MTV awards
- many, many, many more
All the Possibilities
This is where it gets confusing. Herbie has an album, a movie, and a book all with the name of Possibilities.
At the beginning of the movie, he touches on the meaning of the word possibilities to him. He speaks of the childlike wonder where anything can happen. He doesn’t want people to get scared or set in their ways as they turn into adults, but to be open to all possibilities in life.
He has demonstrated this curiosity and openness through his musical career. He has never wanted to repeat something that has been done before. He always pushes himself to do something fresh and to be influenced by other people, the environment, and the times. I now understand his connection to the word, but still am confused about the album, movie, and book of the same name.
I will present all 3 Possibilities chronologically as they were released.
2005: Herbie Hancock: Possibilities (album)
The album was released in August of 2005. It is an album of collaborations with a range of artists from different genres.
Herbie’s intention was to take the artists out of their comfort zones. He pushed to free them from the genre with which they are typically associated. This apparently is not the norm, as musicians are often pressured to stay true to the style they originally were discovered on. He really wanted the music to grow organically.
The tracks include:
• “Stitched Up” featuring John Mayer
• “Safiatou” featuring Santana and Angelique Kidjo
• “A Song For You” featuring Christina Aguilera
• “Hush, Hush, Hush” with Annie Lennox
• “I Do It For Your Love” with Paul Simon
• “Sister Moon” featuring Sting
• “When Love Comes To Town” with Jonny Lang and Joss Stone
• “Don’t Explain” with Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan
• “I Just Called To Say I Love You” with Raul Midon and Stevie Wonder
• “Gelo No Montana” with Trey Anastasio
Here is a link to the songs at YouTube: Herbie Hancock: Possibilities at YouTube
2006: Herbie Hancock: Possibilities (movie)
The movie was released in April of 2006. As I mentioned previously, this was my introduction to Possibilities and my favorite. As I mentioned previously, it inspired me to look into the album and book.
It is a documentary of making the Possibilities album, so there is a connection with the name. It is mostly a look at the creative process and action. There are also some shots of Herbie talking about his musical career and his philosophy of making music.
It is interesting to see how the different artists like to work and how they work together.
2014: Herbie Hancock: Possibilities (book).
The book was released in October 2014. This is where I get confused with the names. This book is a memoir of his life and was released quite a number of years after the album and movie. It covers his personal life as well as his musical career. It doesn’t really seem to be tied to the album and movie.
If you are a huge fan of jazz and want to know the nuances of his career, then this book is for you. It details all the bands and musicians he has worked with, which is a lot. It goes on about a lot of his songs, of which I am unfamiliar so I had no point of reference.
What I think of the Possibilities
Should you partake in the Possibilities trio? Yes and no.
Book. It depends on your love and knowledge of jazz. If you know the many names in jazz and many of Herbie’s songs, then you would enjoy the book. It has a lot of that detail in there. If you are more on the jazz-naive side like myself, you have no point of reference to work with, so I would say skip it.
I wanted to learn more about his passion and insights on music . I also wanted to learn more about his philosophy and how it affects his life. That is what is most interesting to me. It touches briefly on his Buddhism and the lessons he learned, but not as much as I would have liked. I feel he has so much to contribute and I didn’t get what I was looking for. I ended up skimming the rest of the book to finish it.
The book just seemed very flat and fact oriented and you know I love facts. When you are covering passion, music, and the human spirit it needs more of a human element. His essence comes through much more vibrantly on the movie where you can see it.
Album. I am luke warm. Listen to some songs on YouTube to see if you like it. Everyone has their own tastes in music.
While I do appreciate jazz, I am not a huge jazz fan. Some songs on the album I like, others not so much. My favorites are “Stitched Up” with John Mayer (I am not typically a big John Mayer fan, but I like this.) and “Safiatou” with Santana and Angelique Kidjo (They are both so cool on the movie.). Both songs have a quicker pace and are a little more fun. They may get you moving in your seat a little.
Movie. See it. I give it a strong recommendation for everyone. Here are the reasons why you should watch.
1. It is cool.
Professional music studios are not the offices/cubicles of my former working life. It is definitely a different environment than what I am familiar with. Surrounded by super creative people making music looks like so much fun. It makes me want to be a part of it.
2. It is inspirational.
Seeing a person with visible passion for anything is inspiring. To be able to take bits of wisdom from someone who is at the top of their game is a gift. They have a unique perspective.
Herbie has learned a lot through his experiences and Buddhism, especially of his work with Miles Davis. He has learned to take the lessons learned in music and apply it to all of life. Some of these are:
♦ Stand up for your beliefs.
♦ Listen.
♦ Most importantly, take the events of life and turn them into something of value. There are many ways of looking at things.
3. Herbie is amazing.
His creative energy, joy, and genius make him ageless. He shows no sign of stopping. He says that he learned from Miles that a master doesn’t teach you what to do, but lets you reveal yourself. He fits that description, as shown in the movie as he nurtures the artists so graciously. With humor and encouragement, he gets artists to safely explore outside their own genres and inspired me at the same time.
It’s a wrap
Are you a Herbie Hancock fan? Were you aware of any/all of the Possibilities? I feel a little dumb for not knowing more about Herbie Hancock and his innovative spirit, but what do you do? So much to know in this world, I am doing my best to expand my knowledge one article at a time. *wink*
Do you regularly listen to jazz? When? I listen to jazz as background music. When I am chatting with my husband or doing a puzzle.
Let me know in the poll or comments.
Resources
herbiehancock.com -Herbie Hancock’s website
“Herbie Hancock: Possibilities.” IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 05 May 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479409/>.
How music could make you a rocket scientist at ABCnews.com
“Magnolia Pictures: Possibilities.” Magnolia Pictures: Possibilities. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2015. <http://www.magpictures.com/profile.aspx?id=0e2645bb-ff22-4ab6-a605-3202b8855b6a>.
Wikipedia contributors. “Herbie Hancock.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 5 May. 2015. Web. 5 May. 2015.
Possible etymology
Possible etymology
Predicting the future series: Future forecasts and you
Predicting the future series: Future forecasts and you
It’s coming, are you ready? What are the future forecasts for the world? What can you do about it? Read on and find out.
Welcome back to my Predicting the future series. This is the second article of the series and talks more specifically about future forecasts or insights.
For background on the topic, please read the first article: Predicting the future series: Who are futurists and is it a hoax? It covers futures studies as a field, the issues and different approaches for modeling, and information on organizations practicing future studies today.
Now, on to the good stuff. What we really want to know is…what can we expect in the future, right? We want information. Then we can make the smartest decisions today for the best possible tomorrow.
Let’s begin with how some of the predictions or future forecasts come about. This can inform us on how seriously you want to take the predictions.
What tools or processes are used for future forecasts?
There are different tools and processes used in the study of the future. Depending on the philosophies driving the approach, certain factors may weigh more heavily or not at all.
However, a major element in most approaches is the human reaction to the changing future. One that is particularly hard to anticipate.
A significant force in people’s actions are their values. Any tool that allows you to see trends on changing values would be of great value to futurists. For that reason, I found the results of the “World Values Survey” to be particularly interesting. Look at the video below as is displays the trend of various countries over the last 34 years.
Elsewhere, a group process has proved to be quite successful in the Good Judgement Project. The Good Judgement Project has boasted impressive future forecasts in a forecasting tournament.
How did they do that? First, they assessed how open-minded participants were. Apparently, the more open-minded you are the better forecaster you will make. It has also been found that groups perform better than individuals. Practiced forecasters also perform more accurately. Not surprisingly, intelligence and issue expertise also improved accuracy. The process had group participants focus on:
- alternating between the inside and outside view of a topic
- turning instincts into probabilities (those trained in probabilities performed better)
- looking at the more broadly than deeply (from many different perspectives versus greatly detailed information)
- weighing the previously successful forecasters opinions heavier
- not rushing the process
- being able to change probabilities throughout the process
You can learn more about The Good Judgement Project at their website.
By and large, futurists organizations use a lot of data analysis. Techniques such as linear regression, multiple regression, factor analysis and econometrics are used. They perform analysis of the issues and trends. Then they interpret the system as a whole and the interrelationships between the issues. Lastly, they prospect different scenarios or visions. How each of these steps are completed accounts for different opinions for the outlook.
H.G.Wells is considered the founder of the future studies field. He wrote and spoke about future forecasts in the early 1900s. He stressed the importance of using scientific method over mere speculation for future forecasts. He did provide successful predictions in his work. Unfortunately if you are a futurist you aren’t often around to see the fruits of your labor.
One thing that he stressed that resonates even stronger today is the impact of science and technology. Science is likely the number one influence on all issues. It will drive therapies in health issues. It will drive processes in environmental issues. It will drive tools in military and industrial issues. All those together will drive economic issues.
That is why our society is stresses STEM (science technology engineering and math) education for kids. STEM is our future. And future forecasts depend on understanding that trajectory. So take heed of the technology visionaries of today. They know what they speak of.
What are some future forecasts?
I have included predictions from several sources for you to ponder.
From the Millennium Project:
The Millennium Project is an independent, non-profit global participatory futures research think tank. That is a mouthful!
It publishes a State of the Future report every year. In it, they include a ‘Where are we winning’ and ‘Where are we losing’ grid. It lists human conditions issues that are showing improvement or little-to-no improvement. The State of the Future executive summary for 2015-2016 included the lists as follows:
Winners. Issues with a positive trend (looking back to 20 years ago forecasted to 10 years in the future).
• GNI per capita
• Poverty
• Foreign direct investment, net inflows
• Freedom
• Women in national parliaments
• Share of high skilled employment
• School enrollment, secondary
• Literacy rate, adult total
• Electricity from renewables, excl. hydro
• Energy-Efficiency
• Improved water sources
• Physicians per 1,000 people
• Health expenditure per capita
• Prevalence of undernourishment
• Mortality rate, infant
• Life expectancy at birth
• population growth
• Internet users
Losers. Issues with a flat or negative trend (looking back to 20 years ago forecasted to 10 years in the future).
• Unemployment
• Fossil fuel and cement production emissions
• Renewable internal freshwater resources
• Forest area
• Biocapacity per capita
• F&D Expenditures
• Terrorism incidents
• Income inequality
• Number of wars and serious arm conflicts
• Corruption in the public sector
From the World Futurist Society:
A December 2014 outlook accumulated future forecasts from numerous sources. Here are selected highlights below:
• Computers will perfectly understand our words—and may use them against us. (World Trends & Forecasts, Nov-Dec 2013, p. 8)
• Computer chips will shrink to the size of dust—and become just as ubiquitous. (Richard Yonck, “Connecting with Our Connected World,” Nov-Dec 2013, p. 17)
• Hybrid materials will blend the properties of living and nonliving things. (Tomorrow in Brief, July-Aug 2014, p. 2)
• Drones will become vital tools for environmental management and protection. (Tomorrow in Brief, Mar-Apr 2014, p. 2; Princess Aliyah Pandolfi, “Robotic Technology to Preserve Wildlife: A Scenario,” Mar-Apr 2014, p. 35)
• Plants that “talk” to us could become our allies in ecosystem monitoring. (Tomorrow in Brief, May-June 2014, p. 2)
• Smarter sex toys: The technologies of intimacy will become more interactive—and more intimate. (Karen Moloney, “Euphoric, Harmless, and Affordable: A Trend Analysis of Sex,” May-June 2014, p. 22)
• If extraterrestrial life is out there, we will develop the tools to find it. (World Trends & Forecasts, Jan-Feb 2014, p. 10) (See Related: Do you wonder if there is life beyond Earth? Consider the Drake equation)
• Plants will offset some climate change by ingesting more carbon dioxide. (World Trends & Forecasts, Jan-Feb 2014, p. 11)
• Mega-fires in forests around the world will become more frequent. (David Bengston and Michael J. Dockry, “Forest Futures in the Anthropocene: Can Trees and Humans Survive Together?” July-Aug 2014, p. 36)
• Small-scale energy for households could one day come from rainwater. (Tomorrow in Brief, July-Aug 2014, p. 2)
• The rodents will rise! Rats could play a more-prominent role in Earth’s ecosystems. (Tomorrow in Brief, May-June 2014, p. 2)
• Wise local gardeners will feed the world. (John Michael Greer, author of Green Wizardry, reviewed by Rick Docksai, Jan-Feb 2014, p. 52)
• Swallow that sensor! Better health through big data. (Bertalan Meskó,“Rx Disruption: Technology Trends in Medicine and Health Care,” May-June 2014, p. 31)
• Plasma will offer a new weapon against antibiotic-resistant bugs. (Tomorrow in Brief, Jan-Feb 2014, p. 2)
• Liar, liar, brain waves on fire! Brain scanning could one day replace jurors as finders of facts. (Clay Rawlings and Rob Bencini, “What Does Moore’s Law Mean for the Rest of Society?” July-Aug 2014, p. 41)
• Science collaborations may bring distrustful nations closer together. (World Trends & Forecasts, Mar-Apr 2014, p. 13)
• Religious values may become a key consideration for developing policies on such issues as water management. (Syeda Mariya Absar, “Water Futures: An Islamic Perspective,” Jan-Feb 2014, p. 19)
From Ray Kurzweil:
An article from Singularity Hub summarized a few of Ray’s past and future forecasts. Ray Kurzweil is co-founder of Singularity Hub and an all-around genius guy with notable credentials. His past predictions have been impressively accurate. Here are 5 of his future predictions.
• By the late 2010s, glasses will beam images directly onto the retina.
• By the 2020s, most diseases will go away as nanobots become smarter than current medical technology. Normal human eating can be replaced by nanosystems.
• By the 2030s, virtual reality will begin to feel 100% real. We will be able to upload our mind/consciousness by the end of the decade.
• By the 2040s, non-biological intelligence will be a billion times more capable than biological intelligence (a.k.a. us). Nanotech foglets will be able to make food out of thin air and create any object in physical world at a whim.
• By 2045, we will multiply our intelligence a billionfold by linking wirelessly from our neocortex to a synthetic neocortex in the cloud.
What can I do to prepare for the future?
The first thing you can do is raise your awareness. The world is changing faster and faster. Humans tend to think linearly. It is what we often experience and it makes sense to us. However, technology is changing exponentially. This can leave us feeling overwhelmed.
To overcome that, we need to change the way we think. Here is a short video to further explain why we need to do that.
To start yourself on this journey, give yourself an education. Visit the organizations I listed in the Predicting the future series: Who are futurists and is it a hoax? article. They are filled with enough information and publications to last you to the future, ha!
The next step is to engage. Here is a list of fun ways to do that.
- Play a game: The world game.
- Read up and make a long bet at Long Now. An organization that “…hopes to provide a counterpoint to today’s accelerating culture and help make long-term thinking more common.”
- Browse articles from across the internet about the future sorted by year and category on Future Scanner.
- Subscribe to a magazine by a future organization such as the free one from The Club of Amsterdam Journal or a newsletter at Singularity Hub.
- Watch ‘What if?’ videos from BBC. These videos play with the idea of different future forecasts and what that may be like.
- Watch a documentary on the future at topdocumentaryfilms.com. Suggestions include (listed in order of User Rating from highest to lowest):
- Future by Design
- The Sustainable City
- The Cleantech Future
- Beyond Human
- Future Life on Earth
- Earth 2100
- Visions of the Future
- Future Life on Earth
- Learn how by being comforted by your past allows you to move on in the future by reading How nostalgia actually helps you move forward in life.
- Join one of the many futurists societies based on your approach mentality. (See list in Predicting the future series: Who are futurists and is it a hoax?)
- Share your awareness with others. Anyone and everyone. This is a cause that impacts us all.
Do you see foresee your future?
This all makes so much sense. Why are we all so stressed and overwhelmed? We just are woefully unprepared for the speed of how fast change is occurring.
Humans on a large scale have never had to deal with the constant change we have seen in our lifetimes.
I would image the same skills identified as making you a good forecaster would enable you to handle the changes better. Namely, being open-minded by considering different perspectives, be willing to adjust your stance, and thinking realistically about the likelihood of events transpiring.
Challenging? Yes. Can you do it? Absolutely.
Just take a deep breath and relax. We are all in it together.
Did this Predicting the future series give you a little food for thought? I was introduced to a lot of neat resources I never knew existed.
How about you? Let me know in the comments.
If you liked this article, consider subscribing for free weekly issues of The Thinking Muse delivered to your inbox.
Resources
2015-16 State of the Future from the Millennium Project
A generic foresight process framework by Joseph Voros from Foresight
Association of Professional Futurists
Cornish, Edward. Futuring. Bethesda, Md.: World Future Society, 2004. Print.
Forecasting Fox from The New York Times
Futures Studies: Theories and Methods by Sohail Inayatullah from World Futures Studies Federation
Gidley, Jennifer M. “Global Knowledge Futures: Articulating the Emergence of a New Meta-level Field.” A Transdisciplinary and Transcultural Journal for New Thought, January (2013): 145-72. Research Gate. Web. <http://www.researchgate.net/publication/248976218_Global_Knowledge_Futures_Articulating_the_Emergence_of_a_New_Meta-level_Field>.
Great Transition The Promise and Lure of the Times Ahead from Tellus Institute
Introduction to Exponential Thinking with Salim Ismail from YouTube
Kaku, Michio. Physics Of The Future. New York: Doubleday, 2011. Print.
Outline of Future Studies from Wikipedia
Ray Kurzweil’s Mind-Boggling Predictions for the Next 25 Years from Singularity Hub
Sardar, Ziauddin. Future. London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 2013. Print.
What Research Tells Us About Making Accurate Predictions from Harvard Business Review
Who’s Best at Predicting the Future? (and How to Get Better) from Psychology Today
Wikipedia contributors. “Futures studies.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 Nov. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
World Future Studies Federation
Policy etymology
Policy etymology
Pope John Paul II quote: The earth will not…
25 popular movie quotes that perfectly depict family life
25 popular movie quotes that perfectly depict family life
Part of the reason movies are so popular is because they are relatable to our lives. That is what makes the story meaningful to us. Here are some popular movie quotes to use when you are feeling the need to inject a little humor or sentiment into your everyday family life.
1. Movie quote: “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” Galadriel, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
When to use it: When you discover you are going to have a baby or when a baby is born.
2. Movie quote: “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” Don Corleone, The Godfather (1972)
When to use it: When you are going to bribe your child to go to bed or eat something they don’t want to eat.
3. Movie quote: “I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!” Buddy, Elf (2003)
When to use it: When you are trying to cuddle your kids and they are too cool or too preoccupied to reciprocate. I have learned the louder the better.
4. Movie quote: “We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
When to use it: When giving a pep-talk to your kids about having to make a hard decision.
5. Movie quote: “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” The Wizard of Oz, The Wizard of Oz (1939)
When to use it: When you are stealing a treat from the pantry shortly before dinner time.
6. Movie quote: “They’re the worst sort of Muggles imaginable.” Professor McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
When to use it: Talking to your kids about bullies and trying to make them feel better.
7. Movie quote: “Have fun stormin’ da castle.” Miracle Max, The Princess Bride (1987)
When to use it: When your kids head out the door to school.
8. Movie quote: “If someone asks if you are a god, you say, ‘yes!’” Winston Zeddemore, Ghostbusters (1984)
When to use it: When you are at a school function with large lines and they are giving priority to some for no apparent reason.
9. Movie quote: “Well, some people without brains do an awful lot of talking don’t they?” Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz (1939)
When to use it: When you are at a school function and someone is lecturing on something everyone already knows about.
10. Movie quote: “Do… or do not. There is no try.” Yoda, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
When to use it: When making scheduling arrangements for meetings, driving, or committee work with someone who is very non-committal.
11. Movie quote: “The force is strong with this one.” Darth Vader, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
When to use it: When your kid does something awesome.
12. Movie quote: “A man can convince anyone he’s somebody else, but never himself.” Roger “Verbal” Kint, The Usual Suspects (1995)
When to use it: When discussing the pressures of fitting in and being true to yourself.
13. Movie quote: “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.” Don Corleone, The Godfather (1972)
When to use it: When your spouse has been spending too much time with other activities. Warning: Use only when your spouse is in a lighthearted mood and you are using your best Don Corleone voice impression.
14. Movie quote: “I won’t consider myself to be in trouble until I start weeping blood.” James Bond, Casino Royale (2006)
When to use it: When you have completed a ton of housework and when you are nearly finished someone offers to help.
15. Movie quote: “May the odds be ever in your favor.” Effie Trinket, The Hunger Games (2012)
When to use it: When someone is heading to auditions, try-outs, or a big test.
16. Movie quote: “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life-forms and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before.” Spock Prime, Star Trek (2009)
When to use it: As you are heading out on a family road trip vacation.
17. Movie quote: “Bad dates.” Sallah, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
When to use it: When you try a new recipe and it doesn’t turn out how you had hoped.
18. Movie quote: “Don’t look at it, no matter what happens!” Indiana, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
When to use it: When someone has a terrible acne breakout.
19. Movie quote: “SON of a NUTcracker!” Buddy, Elf (2003)
When to use it: When you accidently hurt yourself and you don’t want to swear in front of the kids.
20. Movie quote: “I’m the king of the world!” Jack, Titanic (1997)
When to use it: When you finish cleaning the entire house and it is spotless.
21. Movie quote: “Oh, yes, my precious. Very nice, very nice.” Gollum, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers (2002)
When to use it: When someone in the family earns an award or trophy.
22. Movie quote: “Beeeeeee…gooood.” E.T., E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
When to use it: When your kids are heading off to a sleepover party.
23. Movie quote: “I am the Gatekeeper.” Dana Barrett, Ghostbusters (1984)
When to use it: When you answer the door to your kid’s friend or date and you need to size them up to see if they are trouble. Okay, don’t do this or your kids will die of embarrassment, but you can threaten to do it.
24. Movie quote: “You fell victim to one of the classic blunders – the most famous of which is “never get involved in a land war in Asia” – but only slightly less well-known is this: ‘Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line’” Vizzini, The Princess Bride (1987)
When to use it: When you play a practical joke on someone. Warning: Do not use iocane powder.
25. Movie quote: “I’m sorry. That last hand…nearly killed me.” James Bond, Casino Royale (2006)
When to use it: When you are shocked by something someone casually mentions at the dinner table and they continue rambling like it was no big deal.
Resources
Porcelain
Porcelain
Mind over matter: Learn from the placebo effect to heal yourself
Mind over matter: Learn from the placebo effect to heal yourself
Have you ever been given chicken noodle soup when you are feeling under the weather? It cured you, right?
I know, I know. That is an old wive’s tale.
What about the works of shawmen, medicine men, or other energy healers? Crackpots and conmen? Or real healers? It may all be in the eye of the beholder.
Up to the 1800s, most people thought that emotions were tied to disease. When science advanced to learn about bacteria and viruses much of those beliefs were dismissed.
We were so much more enlightened in modern times, right?! Descartes and his mind-body dualism philosophy clearly distinguished between the mind and body stating that it is possible for one to exist without the other.
On the other end of the spectrum is psychosomatic medicine which views a person’s physiology and psychology closely interrelated.
Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease. -Hippocrates
Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease. -Hippocrates
Today, we understand the world is complex. And so are we. The more we learn, the more new questions we raise. We are still just beginning to shed light on the perplexing nature of the mind-body connection.
I understand, as a woman of logic, that a lot of this stuff sounds a little “out there.” Just hear me out.
Life expectancies are going up. Feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression are at seemingly epidemic levels in our country. Our beloved artists and stars are dying from the abuse and misuse of drugs. Frankly, we can use all the help we can get.
I, for one, am willing to keep an open mind.
Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that I am not a doctor or healer of any type. Although I have been known to make homemade chicken noodle soup for my family. Please consult with your physician for any treatments you may try.
(See Related: Love of food series, part 1: What is flavor and how do we perceive it?)
Do you have it within you to cure yourself? One clue into that mystery is the sometimes successful use of placebos. Even though it is a small response (generally ~30%), it is a response none-the-less. What happens in the successful cases that allows it to work?
Perhaps looking at the placebo effect can show us what it takes to heal our own bodies? Let’s take a look and see what we can learn.
What is the placebo effect?
Harvard Medical School defines a placebo as “a favorable response to a medical intervention…that doesn’t have a direct physiological effect.” It can be a “sugar pill” or injection, liquid, or procedure. However, it can also occur simply with a visit and consultation with a “healer” or some other action the patient believes to be effective. 
Ironically enough, placebos have even worked in some instances where the patient was fully aware they were being given a placebo. That is a clue indicating something interesting is going on.
Nocebo is the negative effect that happens as a result of negative expectation. This may show up as headache, nervousness, nausea, constipation, or other perceived side effects.
Together, the placebo and nocebo effects are considered expectation effects.
For a number of reasons, it is difficult to determine exactly what is the expectation effect versus a no-treatment effect. This makes it challenging to figure out exactly what is going on.
My biggest aha! moment researching this article was when I learned the distinction between illness and disease. Illness refers to the “distress experienced by the patient” this encompasses the symptoms, discouragement, and anxiety surrounding the entire experience. Whereas disease is simply the objective or scientific evidence of tests.
We see the physical and psychological being rolled together in the term known as illness. See? The health of our mind and health of our bodies are deeply connected.
When placebos are most effective
The placebo effect has been shown to be most effective on the subjective experience of the patient. This is with symptoms that are difficult to quantify such as depression, insomnia, GI distress, anxiety, panic disorders, and especially pain.
Generally speaking, conditions that respond to psychotherapy are those most likely to see benefits from placebos. Perhaps there is a puzzle we can solve to learn how to manage that aspect on our own.
(See Related: The secrets of puzzles)
Despite the fact that placebos tend to be most effective with subjective symptoms, they appear to provide objective results in brain chemistry, such as the release of endorphins or dopamine. Again, mind-body connection.
Where placebos are used
According to a New York Times article, 45%-85% of American and European practitioners use placebos in a clinical environment. With a majority of American academic physicians believing placebos have a therapeutic effect.
Most people have heard about the use of placebos in drug testing. This allows new drugs to be tested for efficacy and side effects. Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled studies ensure not only patient, but doctor, are unaware of who is given the real drug versus the placebo.
Aside from drug trials, there are other ways that placebos may be used. Remember that a placebo may be something aside from the typical sugar pill we all think about. It may be other treatments or merely the way the treatment process is handled.
Why aren’t placebos used more often? As we have all been warned, any procedure comes with a set of possible side effects, even placebos with the nocebo effect.
Doctors are sworn to the Hippocratic Oath to first do no harm or more specifically “utterly reject harm and mischief.” For this reason, it is of utmost importance that the patient is fully aware of the conditions of a trial or treatment.
However, many healers may be using a placebo whether they realize it or not. It is just in the manner they are providing their service.
The treatment process and variables
As someone outside the medical field, I have never given much thought to the treatment ritual. But each step is important in the treatment process and can have impact on the placebo effect.
The elements include:
- Recognized healer. Do you recognize or trust the individual as a healer?
- Healing symbols. Do they display and/or use tools of the trade such as displaying diplomas or writing information on medical charts?
- Evaluation. Do they take the time to listen to you and ask you questions about your condition?
- Healing rituals. Do they conduct tests or assessments to validate your condition?
- Diagnosis. Do they take the time to explain your symptoms in terms that you understand?
- Prognosis. Do they talk about possible treatments and what you can expect as a likely outcome?
- Plausible treatment. Do they write down instructions for you to follow?
Because of the relationship between the patient and doctor, it can impact the results of the treatment. A study has shown that the healer’s belief in the treatment can impact efficacy in the patient.
Aside from the treatment process, there are other factors that influence how a patient reacts to treatment. Think of it this way, healing an illness is essentially like trying to find the correct combination of dozens of dials and switches.
Here are a few of your dials…
- Expectation. Patients often experience what they expect to experience.
- Time. Many illnesses improve over time regardless of the treatment. This is especially so for conditions that come and go such as insomnia, pain, asthma, hypertension, and depression.
- Conditioning. Previous experience feeds into what patients anticipate and expect. We have all heard about Pavlov’s dogs.
- Treatment protocol. How much and how often the treatment is given makes a difference. Examples would be 4 capsules/day versus 2 capsules/day.
- Treatment appearance. Color of pills influences how people perceive them. Ever notice that blue is used for tranquilizers, red/yellow for energy, and brown for laxative?
- Remembered wellness. A patient remembering symptom-free imagery can bring about certain chemical changes relevant to those times.
- Biased or “good” patient. Patients often want to report good news to their doctor.
- Memory. Patients may falsely recall that initial symptoms were worse than they were, thus perceiving more of an improvement.
- State of mind. A study has shown that optimists were more likely to see placebo effects in positive suggestions. Whereas pessimists were more likely to have a nocebo effect in negative suggestions.
- Individual differences. We are all different and things such as age, cultural origin, and socioeconomic issues can influence our experiences.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
It seems like it is more and more common to hear of people talking about CAM. Of course, there is a big difference between using a treatment in addition to as opposed to in place of traditional treatment.
If it makes you uncomfortable to consider alternative medicine, consider it one part of a treatment plan. Remember the difference between illness and disease? Traditional medicine looks to manage objective indicators of disease. The responsibility is on you to manage the illness. Well, you actually have to be your own healthcare advocate regardless, but you get what I mean.
It makes sense that CAM can help in our overall treatment since they can really have an impact on the psychological factors. Don’t consider CAM to be a cure, but another tool in the toolbox.
Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, tai chi or qi gong can lower heart rate, lower breathing rate, and decrease muscle tension. It is often used in treatment for stress-related orders.
(See Related: Why I love online yoga classes (and you will too))
Visual imagery or guided imagery is used by those dealing with anxiety and pain, as well as conditions such as asthma and headaches. It can also be used to help tolerate procedures.
Biofeedback is used in treatment for anxiety, attention deficit disorder, headache, hypertension, and urinary incontinence.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction has also seen a surge in headlines. It is used in to relieve physical and psychological symptoms of various conditions.
Other CAM also include:
- Chiropractic
- Indigenous/ancient medical practice
- hydrotherapy
- herbalism
- hypnotherapy
- magnetic therapy
- massage
- acupressure/acupuncture
How to make it work for you
As discussed above, there are many factors at play with our health and well-being. While we will never be in complete control of all the dials and switches, we can make the most of what power we do have.
How can we harness this power to help heal ourselves?
- Find a doctor/healer that you trust. They should be credible and trained. Someone who will listen to you and explain things to you in terms you understand. They should be confident in the treatment they prescribe.
- Understand the difference between disease and illness. There is the objective test results and then there is the human experience around the diagnosis. The physiology and the psychology.
- Follow the prescription precisely. Don’t second guess or modify the treatment plan. If you have reservations, this should be discussed with your doctor.
- Do no harm. Don’t do things that run counter to the treatment.
- Believe in the treatment. This doesn’t mean to throw away your healthy skepticism. Never go into a treatment blind. It just means that once you choose a treatment that you feel looks good, be optimistic about it.
- Research and talk to your doctor about complementary treatment options.
- Be nice of yourself. It can be tough dealing with an illness so be gentle with yourself and try to relax.
Taking charge
The perks of being an adult… you are in charge. You are the boss of you. Your health and your healthcare are completely in your hands.
So, have you ever tried any complementary or alternative medicine? I have. I enjoy yoga and try to practice mindfulness. I have also dabbled in visualization and essential oil aromatherapy.
I have had some successes. My biggest challenge is making the time to put it into practice. Pretty typical, I guess.
I would love to hear your stories about how you have taken charge of your health. Leave me a note or visit me on Twitter to tell me about it.
Take care.
Resources
Bausell, R. Barker. Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2007. Print.
Dispenza, Joe. You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter. New York City: Hay House, 2014. Print.
Emotions and Health from National Institutes of Health
Hippocrates Quotes from BrainyQuote
Placebo Effect from American Cancer Society
Putting the placebo effect to work from Harvard Health Publications
René Descartes: The Mind-Body Distinction from Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Seeking to Illuminate the Mysterious Placebo Effect from The New York Times
The Connection Between Mind And Body from The Bravewell Collaborative
The placebo effect. 2015. Wheeling, Illinois: Film Ideas.
Understanding and Using the Placebo Effect from Psychiatric Times
Wikipedia contributors. “Hippocratic Oath.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 May. 2016. Web. 16 May. 2016.
