Ten years ago, in 1998, Andrew Wakefield and 12 others published a paper that suggested that a vaccine called the MMR (measles mumps and rubella) had a link with a new condition they described as giving kids bowel problems and autism. The UK media went crazy, falling over themselves to report on the... Read more →

Free Won’t It’s a good thing my brain has some time to decide what I’m going to do before I exercise my free will. God knows what kind of trouble I’d get into without that extra time! Your brain takes about two seconds to commit itself to a behavior before you know that you are... Read more →

It wasn’t uncommon for me to hear all about rated-R movies. The blood, the gore, and then, of course, the proceeding nightmares and sleep deprivation. I’m not slamming rated-R movies but there is a reason why they are given a Restricted Access rating. But yet, here were my 8 and 9 year old... Read more →

The Human Genome Project completed nearly 7 years ago may have been a slight disappointment for the “genetic technology” industry, as far fewer genes that we once thought exist on the human chromosome. Worse, this implies that there are possibly far fewer single gene disorders than we once... Read more →

I recently read an interesting editorial from the NY Times regarding the professions of law and medicine and how they continue to lack the luster that they used to have. It’s sad but true. Medicine just is not what it used to be. Although the profession is not hurting for aspiring young physicians,... Read more →

On a futon near the German ice cream punchbowl, I was dressed in a trench coat and low-brimmed hat, providing Tarot readings. I called myself Richard Psychic the Psychic Dick (that is, forensic psychic). I looked up from under my hat to see the Easter Bunny and Jesus Christ. This had a certain effect... Read more →

In part 1, I talked about subliminals. Now let’s connect some more dots. Here’s something weird. When people see the subliminal message, “Mommy and I are one” repeatedly over a period of time, they become better-adjusted people. When my boy was little, I heard a lot of Barney... Read more →

Let’s start with marketing and subliminals. Many years ago, I was chatting with a pal in the local Mexican restaurant, when I suddenly felt a pang of shame. My first reaction was to wonder what I had just said that was so embarrassing. It occurred to me, though, that if I had said something so... Read more →

For those of you who don’t know. The 80 hour work week is a relatively new limitation for resident physicians in training. This rule was put into effect a few years ago to prevent sleep deprivation among physicians in training. The rule was meant to curtail medical errors such as incorrect prescriptions,... Read more →

As reimbursements continue to decrease every year, physicians must be extremely financial savvy in order to survive. Some areas of the United States can’t seem to find enough doctors (think middle of the country), whereas others have a glut of doctors (think West and East Coasts). Coupled with... Read more →

I have an announcement so earth-shaking that I will, just for today, suspend all scientific citations. I am here to liberate you from a great deal of suffering. I hereby give you permission to go to bed angry. Here are ten perfectly good reasons: Read more →  Read More →