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What happened? What happened is, a major shift towards self-centeredness, with a good dose of "the end justifies the means" mentality. For example, smoking was one of the first subjects to be mis-represented for the "greater good". Now, let me be clear, I am not endorsing smoking as a good habit, but the fact remains, there is no scientific evidence linking smoking to anything in a healthy individual. In fact, there are indications that it helps prevent at least 10 major conditions including Parkinson's Disease. Now it very well cause you to grow a third ear, but there is no science behind such a claim. Keep this in mind when we move on to other examples.

The problem is, once we start down this road, it is almost impossible to sort truth from fiction. You've got to remember, grant money and recognition are powerful incentives for "would be" researchers and they are more than willing accomplices for "bottom line" driven media types. Currently, the news is full of "global warming" and environmental news. If you believe these reports, we are in danger of any number of catastrophes. Nearly everything can be attributed to "global warming". The good news is, there is not one shred of evidence to indicate the existence of such a condition. But what about the "consensus" among these scientists? You had better review the foundations and methodology of science. You must have repeatable results and facts, not speculations and computer models. The fact is, the majority of research deserves our scrutiny because of the almost unimaginable number of variables present in any given area of study. The vast majority of today's so-called science is based on theory not facts. When you add pure dishonesty to the mix, well, you get the point.

Health issues also abound in the media. I would venture to say, if you had taken time to write down the many things that are supposed to kill you, you'd have to stay in a sterile environment and quit eating and drinking. We are continually bombarded with this rubbish and yet, the life expectancy has gone from the 40's in 1900 to nearly 80 in the present day. We must be doing something right!
Cholesterol has become a hot topic, and no wonder, heart disease and medications are big business. Lipitor is the number one selling drug in the world! And yet, there is no evidence that cholesterol levels have anything to do with heart disease, but get it too low and it can kill you. However, the media keeps these subjects in our mind day and night. To illustrate how absurd it can get, I got one of those "extremely urgent" emails describing how dangerous hydrogen dioxide is and how we all are exposed at one time or another. It can kill you! This email spread like wildfire. Guess what. If you don't know, Di-hydrogen monoxide is .... water!

How can we know the truth? Start researching for yourself. When you hear big numbers a warning bell should sound. The media is notorious for throwing bogus numbers around. We often hear of thousands starving or homeless or something else. Where did those numbers come from? We hear about the problems with young people or a certain race or subset of this society, but the truth is, the big picture has been improving for some time and continues to do so. Those of us living today have more opportunities and information than anytime in history. Remember, most people were without electricity and traveling by rail or horseback in 1900. See the news for what it is, a product. A product that you may or may not want to buy.

Learn more about this author, Creed Ratford.
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