Molingrad

Site Makeover

molingrad — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:15:23 +0000

Looking for an outlet creatively I will now begin to post poems and art more regularly. This will come at the expense of opinion and news, but we all know we have enough of that already.

Enjoy!

Life Off Medication: A New Beginning

molingrad — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:13:47 +0000

A few months off meds and things are going great. I feel better without them. I would encourage anyone on anti-depressant medication to attempt to wean themselves off. There is little proof as to why they work. Take the time to look at the information that comes with these medications and you can read for yourself the lines “we believe [they] work by…”

Here are some links on more information if you choose to dig:

What the FDA isn’t telling. – By Jeanne Lenzer – Slate Magazine

Unpublished data or no, antidepressants still work. – By Peter D. Kramer – Slate Magazine

NEJM — Selective Publication of Antidepressant Trials and Its Influence on Apparent Efficacy

Validity of Clinical Trials of Antidepressants — Quitkin et al. 157 (3): 327 — Am J Psychiatry

STAR*D

Clinical trials of antidepressant medications are producing meaningless results — Parker et al. 183 (2): 102 — The British Journal of Psychiatry

Depression is a mental problem. Deal with it within that framework – don’t take physical remedies that merely mask the problem. Talk it out, talk it over, change your mind.

Death of the WSJ

molingrad — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:55:55 +0000

It appears News Corp. has truly caused the destruction of the Wall Street Journal’s independence and credibility. At one time the editorial pages were high quality, independent proponents of libertarian-capitalism. Ever since Murdoch took over Dow Jones Co. the pages have slowly become of the quality often found in the NY Post; It has become a conservative rag, not much quality opinion to be found.

This is exemplified in their recent decision to include a fictional story about the future inevitability of death panels brought by socialized medicine.

RIP WSJ Op-Ed

Modifying Reality and Its Repercussions

molingrad — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:00:58 +0000

We as a nation are heavily overdosed with psychoactive substances, the effects of which we are only beginning to understand. I am one of them. Due to various circumstances I have been diagnosed with a mental illness known as depression and perhaps (more than likely a misdiagnoses) bipolar II. My question is are these real diagnoses or are they merely man attempting to reconcile with the absurd world he was born into?

In the next few weeks and months I will be attempting to liberate my mind from these potentially harmful chemicals. In future posts I will explain the lack of scientific evidence behind the theories that have given us an over medicated society addicted to happiness locked away in a pill. I will also attempt to formulate my own theory on why and how we find ourselves at our current predicament. The ideas posited here will be further developed as time progresses.

In short I feel we have been thrown into a post-modernist society which has been far removed from reality and normal human interactions. We were not meant to live the way we currently live. Arbitrary stimulation has been increased tremendously. Technology while seemingly bringing us clooser together is actually ripping us slowly apart. Real human relationships are being replaced with simulated ones; real human emotions are deemed intolerable and they are considered counter productive to society. The production of capital for the sake of capital is slowly destroying the human soul (metaphorical or real). Those who are subconsciously unable to cope in such a sterile environment are deemed ill and are perscribed medication to make them more productive citizens. Work, consume, work, consume – there is no progress made. It is an illusion.

We need to free ourselves from this destructive socioeconomic situation we have helped to perpetuate. We are blind and the future will be bleak unless changes are made.

Job Map

molingrad — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:14:14 +0000

Below is a link to Slate’s Job Map from 2007 to present… things don’t look so great.

Job Map

Portugese Drug Policy

molingrad — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:12:36 +0000

I thought I would post a link from a legitimate news source. This information was hard to find.. I wonder why…?

A new Portuguese law eliminates jail time for possession or use of small amounts of any illegal drug and instead sends drug users to a panel of experts, who provide assistance.

Jail sentences have been replaced with mandatory counseling or treatment and possibly community service or a fine of up to 30,000 escudos, about $130. The panels consist of a psychologist, a social worker and a legal adviser, who decide what action to take.

-NY Times, 2001

Religion Is Bullshit

molingrad — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:34:04 +0000

Drug Legalization Gaining Traction

molingrad — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:09:44 +0000

Finally the logical solution to the drug problem gains some legitimate recognition. Portugal legalized drugs in the 90′s and according to Salon are having great success. In addition the Economist wrote an op-ed in support.

Here are some highlights:

The United States alone spends some $40 billion each year on trying to eliminate the supply of drugs. It arrests 1.5m of its citizens each year for drug offences, locking up half a million of them;

- Economist

Evaluating the policy strictly from an empirical perspective, decriminalization has been an unquestionable success, leading to improvements in virtually every relevant category and enabling Portugal to manage drug-related problems (and drug usage rates) far better than most Western nations that continue to treat adult drug consumption as a criminal offense.

- Salon

Economic Anti-Depressant

molingrad — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:37:19 +0000

In these hard times the things that really matter come into focus. Dematerialize, humanize, peace & love.

Hold On.. It’s gonna be alright…

Thom Yorke snubs Kanye West at Grammy’s..?

molingrad — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:10:28 +0000

It appears backstage at the Grammy’s Kanye West introduced himself to Yorke and Yorke simply kept walking. Thom Yorke is notorious for being introverted and socially awkward so even if it is true… who cares? Apparently Kanye does. In the Vh1 show “Storytellers” a segment was cut where he went on a rant about Radiohead and Yorke over the incident. According to Reuters and NYMag during the same interview he also asked for people to give Chris Brown (beat up Rhianna) a break and praised OJ Simpson (Murdered wife).

Reuters, NYMag