Counterintuitive Spring 2023

It seems counterintuitive that discovering an extremely valuable resource, especially one which is vital to modern industry, would be detrimental to a country, but that is all too often the case. Citizens of governments who gain revenue through this trade tend to be less wary of their governments, since they aren’t directly financing them in the way citizens of tax-funded governments are. This lack of wariness leads to reckless governance. Further, this lucrative source of revenue will attract the attention of those who wish to profit through cronyism with the state, inevitably leading to political corruption.

It seems counterintuitive that many animal species which are genetically distant from each other could share an uncanny resemblance, but evidence suggests that is the case. Cryptic species, i.e. species which have a practically evolved an identical appearance but are in fact distinct in their genetics, are widespread throughout the animal kingdom, and throughout varying environments. Due to being ostensibly the same, these cryptic species can remain undetected for a long period of time, and more will surely be discovered with time.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12293-hidden-species-may-be-surprisingly-common/

It seems counterintuitive that making the search for happiness one’s primary goal would lead to a lower degree of happiness, but when it overrides the struggle to find meaning, it can be emotionally ruinous. True fulfillment in life comes from having a purpose, through which one can ground themselves. Any happiness which is not intertwined with this grounding dedication is superficial and shallow, like the temporary alleviation of alcoholic buzz or a drug high. This superficial gratification can fade away in moments, while a sense of meaning can help someone to persevere through a lifetime of tribulation.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/01/theres-more-to-life-than-being-happy/266805/

Summary #1

It seems counterintuitive that throughout history, men have defined rape and determined its severity, when women understand rape to its fullest extent. The past is full of examples of rape cases where males determine whether it was legitimate. In 1290, it was determined that if a woman is impregnated during unconsentual sex, it is rape however if a woman does not get pregnant, it is not rape. Another guideline states if a woman orgasms, it is not considered rape but if she doesn’t, it is rape. Pregnancy and orgasms should never determine the legitimacy of sexual assault. Unconsentual sex is wrong, no matter the results of it. For years, men have also determined which women are or are not protected under rape laws. In the 15th century, it was determined that married women cannot be raped by their husband because they are property to that man. This idea dates back as far as 1780 BC when rape of a married woman was considered taboo, however rape of an unmarried woman makes her an adultress. This by itself is problematic because marital status does not determine whether consent is required-it should be a universal law that consent applies to anyone. Additionally, it was ruled that women of color are not protected if they are raped. It should be common knowledge that race does not change the severity of the case. Sexual assault is traumatizing and horrific to everyone and the fact that some men believe they can decide what counts as rape is laughable, considering men are nearly half as likely to experience sexual assult.

Summary #2 

It seems counterintuitive that a mirror-the thing that is supposed to show our truest selves-does not provide an accurate visual of our physicality. When looking in a mirror, human’s eyes reverse our view, resulting in a skewed image in the glass. This knowledge has grown from John Walter’s Hair Part Theory, which states that humans act certain ways depending on how their hair is parted (“womanly” for right parts and “manly” for left parts). Walter believes that humans have never had the opportunity to see what part suits them best, which alters the ways in which they act and are thus received in public. All of this is to say that now a True Mirror has been developed to provide an accurate reflection. Who knew that a mirror could have such an impact on the social behavior of humans! This is not to say that mirrors are unhelpful to society-they just are surprisingly counterintuitive. One could go so far as to say that humans have been lied to by these objects for centuries. Mirrors make people question their truth when they have always been believed to be a stable source of reality.

Summary #3

It seems counterintuitive that the pursuit of happiness often leaves humans feeling little joy. As explained by Viktor Frankl, one must find meaning or purpose in their life before they can begin to find happiness. Happiness, as vital as it may seem, only consists of surface thoughts and immediate gratitude. Meaning digs deeper into the soul and gives reason for existence. This is difficult for humans to comprehend because happiness is believed to be the ultimate goal in life. Isn’t happiness important for survival? Apparently not. More important than anything is a strong motive in life.  Happiness is often associated with kindness and fulfillment, however, it proves to provide the opposite effect, instead promoting greed and apathy. Humans need to pursue what they feel their true purpose is-not just what gives them gratification, but what feeds their passion and not only benefits them, but others as well. It may be shocking to hear, but life would have so much more purpose if humans released that happiness it does not help them in the long run, instead, pursuing a deeper purpose provides the gratification that joy cannot.

1. Do Toms Shoes Help Anbody?

It seems counterintuitive that companies who say “buy one, give one” does not actually figure a way to actually solve the poverty problems the world faces today. Many of these types of companies have to deal with people thinking whether or not this is true. When Toms donates shoes, people believe, that they will be gifted new ones once the old news wear out. 

In most cases, Toms donates the shoes in school to children, who most likely already has a pair of shoes. Similarity, a handful of companies use the premise “buy one, give one” to use people into buying the products. Sometimes it is false advertising, and the higher ups gain the money instead of donating. These companies need to aid the poverty in the right way. The poverty stricken community need the aid they can, that will help them the rest of their life, rather than for the time being. 

https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/05/toms-shoes-buy-one-give-one/

2. Anne Frank’s Diary 

It seems counterintuitive that one of the most acknowledged diary, is not the full truth. Anne Frank knew she wanted to publish her diary, so she went back and rewrote her existing entries. The feelings that she had at a young age were erased, meaning that the diary is a work of fiction. 

Anne Frank’s diary has never been taken seriously as literature. Reasons include, it was a diary, and it was written by a young girl. It is uttermost to say that the diary is fiction, but it should not be named as a historical document. Judith Thurman mentioned the skill that Anne Frank achieved in constructing her narrative. Even though the skill is subjective, it does not qualify as a document that should be worshipped. Although the diary may not be historical, Anne Frank should still be recognized as the wonderful writer she would have come to be.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113198365

3. White Folks get Prozac 

It seems counterintuitive that one of the most used antidepressants is going under investigation of how it’s being used. More in-depth, these medications are being prescribed have nothing to do with the health status of the patient. Health experts believe that doctors who prescribe Prozac have nothing to do with the patient’s mental health rather than their race, or health insurance. 

Prozac has been one of the best antidepressants for years. It was first introduced in the year 1987, and it “hit the jackpot.” Patients that have mental health issues such as anxiety, or depression, are prescribed these medications. There are always improvements within the healthcare system, including ethics. Relationships between the doctor and their patient do need to be improved. Although that is a problem, a patient’s race or health insurance status should have to do with the health care they need to receive. 

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/04/prescription-antidepressants-race-ethnicity-health-insurance/

It seems counterintuitive that international photojournalists, who are professionally paid to capture the reality of the world – covering tragic events such as natural disaster, war, and crisis – often face mass criticism and ignominy among their hungry consumers.

Tragedy struck the country of Haiti January of 2010 when a devastating earthquake killed over 200,000 Haitians. Once sturdy buildings all came toppling down, killings its occupants. Thousands were lost because of the natural disaster itself. Following the demises and downfall, many lives were lost due to the state of complete lawlessness. The streets of Haiti became the home of absolute chaos, murder, and looting.

As disaster took place, photojournalists were sent out to Haiti to capture the chaotic environment that had unraveled. There are a multitude of reasons why hundreds of photojournalists were sent out, but most were to help capture the scene to raise awareness and relief funding.

Fabienne Cherisma was one of the many victims who lost their life during the earthquake. Cherisma lost her life not due to the natural disaster but due to the Haitian police firing into the crowd of looters.

The picture itself captures the feelings of agony and loss. The picture was believed to be taken by a lone photographer who happened to “stumble upon” the scene but another picture shows multiple photographers on the scene- practically feeding off the girl’s condition.

After the photographs were released to the public, heated debated followed. Many argued the photos were “too graphic” and “inappropriate”. Yet, the same people who made this appoint, were also the same people sending photojournalists to feed off the scene.

Source- Photograph Following 2010 Earthquake in Haiti Sparks Controversy

It seems counterintuitive that physicians, who are mandated to swear by the Hippocratic Oath, would purposely take part in discriminative action against their patients.

Prozac was first introduced to the general public in 1987. An almost “miracle drug”, this antidepressant had fewer side effects and overdoes. Overall being a great national success. More than 33 million Americans (one out of ten Americans) are prescribed Prozac each year.

New research on the distribution of Prozac has raised a couple of concerns. After analyzing medical data of over 125 million patients, results showed that doctors were more likely to prescribe Prozac to those of the white race and those who had private insurance.  

In a study conducted in 2008, of the white patients being treated for depression, 11 percent were being prescribed medication compared to the four percent of Hispanics and blacks. And those with private insurance were far mor likely to receive these medications. Those without private insurance, using Medicare or Medicaid, if possible, were 60 precent less likely to be prescribed newer antidepressants such as Prozac.

These new findings raise many questions among the public and those in the medical field. These physicians, who are taught to keep an ethical way of thinking and decision making, and swear by the Hippocratic Oath, are also doctors who actively discriminate against their patients.

Source- Physicians Partake in Active Medical Discrimination

It seems counterintuitive that men have the authority to decide what it means to rape a women.

Rape and what defines rape has been a global issue for many centuries up until today. The lengthy timeline of such hideous acts dates back to 1780 B.C (and most definitely before). These same barbaric laws defining rape carried out through ancient civilizations, the medieval era, and even through modern times.

Beginning with The Code of Hammurabi (1780 B.C), defined rape as “property damage”. Indicating women were merely viewed as “their father’s property”- nothing more. Leading into the medieval ages, women were still viewed as insignificant and unimportant. Under the Saxon law, punishment for rape was dependent upon if the woman was declared a virgin, wife, widow, nun, or whore.

As English physician Samuel Farr believed and wrote in his book Elements of Medical Jurisprudence (1814), “women could not get pregnant without orgasm”. Standards were even worse for women of color; they were completely disregarded as a whole.

Up until the early 21^st century, women still suffered the consequences of a man raping her. Feminists began to vocalize the issue to a more broader crowd, beginning to enlighten the issue women have faced for thousands of centuries.

This detailed timeline only shines light on a small proportion of the struggle women face regarding rape. Yet, it is men, who still get to play authority and define what it means to rape a woman.

Source- A Lengthy Timeline of Rape

1. Free Heroin to Battle Addiction

It seems counterintuitive that drug addicts would receive their drugs to assist them in ‘rehabilitation’. However, that is exactly what the city of Vancouver has decided to do. Addiction is a vicious battle that those affected will go through many means to attain what they believe they need.

With the most extreme addiction cases, officials in Vancouver have made the ultimate decision that giving these addicts their drugs is the best case scenario for the public. This rehab center is a safe-zone known as ‘Insite’. Although, in effect, they are killing these addicts slowly, they are not risking the public’s lives. There would be no struggle for these addicts in attaining their drugs, directly lowering the chances of crime and selling their bodies for the drugs.

Those in the ‘Insite’ do not have to fret constantly about how they will receive their next dose. With the knowledge of where they will get their next high, they can maintain a standard life in addition to a job without much objection. The city of Vancouver seems to be protecting their streets by giving these addicts their wishes as sacrifice. Although in the end, this is not assistance, rather a prolonged death sentence.

2. Fabienne Cherisma – Is This Photo Ethical?

It seems counterintuitive that a picture of a dead woman would result in an argument of ethics. The photo describes an awful, heart-wrenching situation in the country of Haiti. Where a very young woman is photographed dead on the concrete.

Haiti, at the time of the photograph, was hit with devastating earthquakes that resulted in billions of restitution. During the aftermath of these earthquakes, some of the survivors took advantage of the destroyed shops in efforts to gain material worth. Fabienne Cherisma was one of the few who were killed by the police during this phenomenon.

Many people who have graced passed the said photo, have came to a few conclusions. Some berating the photographer who decided to take a picture rather than help the poor girl. However, is this a fair argument? Although the state of affairs are revolting, the photographer did his job to the fullest extent. He took the photograph in efforts to spread information on the event in Haiti. Another question arises in counter to these complaints by the public. What could he have truly done?

3. Counterintuitive Life Lessons

It seems counterintuitive that some of the world’s most recognized lessons are in fact misguided. Some of these cliches have been faulty since they were concepted. Such as the saying “Smile, even if you’re not happy”. This saying is typically used in attempt to cheer someone up. Although it seems that no one would like to fake how they are feeling, the action of smiling releases serotonin and dopamine which inflicts happiness (Spector).

Another one of these counterintuitive lessons is that the fear of failure is actually holding one back. Those who are fearless are capable of much more than those who try to prevent it. The quality of being fearless will bring on endless opportunities, resulting in failures and successes. Both of these circumstances being more plentiful than those who live in constant fear of failure.

1. Do multivitamins really work? It seems counterintuitive that a multivitamin could end up affecting your overall health. This is a product that is advertised to help improve ones health. Although, there have been studies that show that most individuals who take these multivitamins already get enough of these nutrients from what they eat everyday, this results in a surplus for some of the vitamins they are taking. Exceeding the limits for some specific vitamins can end up causing a disease. For example, some studies have shown that seniors who take these vitamins can end up increasing their risk of heart disease. Now just because a majority of people do not need these vitamins the ones who do actually need them will in fact benefit from taking them. Studies have shown that people who are anorexic can benefit from these because some do not get enough calcium and taking these vitamins can help them meet the daily recommended amount.

There is one positive to these multivitamins but it’s not necessarily for the ones who need them its the majority who do not take them. I say this because they are saving their hard earned cash instead of spending half of it on supplements they do not need. Most companies do not own the label that is put on these bottles, and or it is not required to put the health risks written on them that would include warnings of possible outcomes of exceeding the limits of some vitamins. A lot of people would not buy these products if they new what the possible risks were and or abandon them for just the food they are eating daily.

2) The Hair Part Theory

It seems counterintuitive that something crazy like the way one parts their hair can really describe a persons personality. The Hair Part Theory is a concept where if a person parts their hair to the left side it has a connection with the left hemisphere of brain function associates with logical and verbal skills, while the right side hair part focuses on the right side of the brain hemisphere, involving a more imaginative and emotional capabilities. The left side has more of a reputation for a more masculine appearance, while the right side has more of a feminine look.

This theory brings out stereotypes in its concept, this is something that our society that has been dealt with in the past and it is being brought back out. We are told as kids to never judge a book by its cover and this theory is going against that in every way. Many famous public figures are used as an example to support it. They focus on people with a right side part like Robert Kennedy, Laurence Oliver, Gary Cooper and baseball legend Lou Gehrig, people who have been known for softer sensitive natures. Then they turn and compare left side parts to strong willed famous women like Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton. This is very counterintuitive because it goes against everything that our society have been trying to get away from in these recent years to support this theory.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1999/06/the-mirror-of-dorian-gray/377630/

3) Prozac What’s Race Got to DO With It?

It seems counterintuitive that race has an impact on someone getting the right drugs to help treat a problem they have. Studies show that there is a higher percentage of white patients get prescribed newer more affective drugs because of private health insurance than someone of a different race who has Medicare or Medicaid.

The question is why, why should white people get better drugs like Prozac and people of different race get the cheaper older varieties. In 2008 there was a higher percent of white patients were being treated for depression and being prescribed medication, while Hispanic and black people who were being treated for the same conditions were not being prescribed as much as white people.

Everyone is created equal and should be treated equally no matter the color of skin or race. The healthcare systems should being doing more and creating more opportunities for people who are in need, and giving people who are different race the same opportunity to get treated and receive the same good drugs as someone who is white. If someone is sick than they should receive the care they need to get better no matter race.

1. 1.is saffron spice healthy for males?

it seems counterintuitive to not put saffron spice in spanish food. Many studies have shown that saffron spice has helped with maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Also is used to help make you feel full. Later studies still looking for conclusive evidence show that the spice prevents early stages of alzheimers.

2.Is gmo for salmon unhealthy

it seems counterintuitive to put gmo in salmon. The high rich food in b12 has shown many properties healthier than any other fish on the market. Resulting already in profound great health. The extra gmo could lead to worse side effects with health.

3. Raccoons make a great pet

It seems counterintuitive to not allow raccoons as pet. The animal need to have such care as any dog or cat. It requires to be house fed and be very well taken care of. Many studies show raccoons if trained well can be a better pet than cats or dogs. Making a raccoon a pet can be healthy for your immune system.