Author Archives: jwboyd
Communitarian, to a Degree
To think that individuals are completely separate from one another, unmoved or unaffected by our connections to others, is almost always simple minded. Although theoretically such a notion might be neat and tidy, it neglects the obvious fact that we … Continue reading
We All Tethered to One Another
The western conception that we are each completely separate from one another, unmoved or unaffected by our connections to others, is hogwash. In fact our own fate is intimately tied to that of the persons we care about and, by … Continue reading
Moby Dick–“The Whiteness of the Whale”
For various reasons–mostly because the book I’ve written on addiction is done and at the publisher so I am allowing myself the time–I finally began reading Moby Dick. I’m now on Chapter 42 which is entitled “The Whiteness of the Whale.” Melville wrote this work a … Continue reading
WUI–Writing Under the Influence
The diagnostic manual in psychiatry is currently being rewritten. Given the conflicts of interest among past authors of the psychiatric diagnostic manual, the psychiatrists who are currently in the process of creating a new diagnostic manual have pledged to limit … Continue reading
All Natural Does Not Mean Totally Safe
Although I completely empathize with those who want to turn away from a pharmaceutical industry that relentlessly markets drugs as panaceas and goes so far as to create “illnesses” almost out of thin air in order to market drugs to … Continue reading
Military Medical Ethics 101
Torture is wrong, regardless of the justification given for it and irrespective of whether a case is made that what’s happening is not torture. Doctors, especially, need to refuse to participate in torture in any way, shape, or form. And … Continue reading
Psychiatric Care is Hard to Find . . .
No availability, long waits, no response to phone messages. And this in Massachusetts which mandates that everyone have health insurance. If it’s this hard to find a psychiatrist in a state that mandates coverage, imagine what that means for folks … Continue reading
Health Care Blues–or, Why Exactly Don’t we Have Single Payer National Health Insurance?
Health Care Blues Imagine the following exchange on the phone: “Is this 911?” “Yes.” “I have an armed intruder in my house. Please send the police right away. I’m afraid he’s going to kill us all.” “I’m sorry. … Continue reading
Safer than ever but still afraid
Steven Pinker says that the level of violence we are currently exposed to is less than ever in history. The chances of being murdered or killed in war or the victim of an assault are far lower now than they were … Continue reading
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