This is the strategy you need, no matter what. Reversing diseases? Fortifying Health? Optimizing longevity? Then, you need a foundational health approach.
You certainly didn’t learn any of this in med school. Kudos to you for being switched on enough to see these fundamentals. I particularly appreciated your discussion of side effects and how the damage is occurring even before an adverse event is noticed. This is important for people to know. It appals me that conventional medicine doesn’t merely play down side effects, but also most of the time dissociates from them. To me this reveals that despite all the science they studied to get to where they are, their practice is all too often unscientific.
I cannot remember if I’ve ever disagreed with you on this platform, but I’m very sure I have made clear my opposing views on X on occasion. There are indeed a few medics such as yourself who I generally like and appreciate for their ability to see both more broadly and also more subtly, but I’ve also noted that they never block me on X if I disagree with them even though I phrase it very plainly and bluntly. I do it politely of course, certainly not superciliously.
I only heard of Ivan Illich in recent years. He’s not easy to grasp, but I’ve learned some things through other writers that made me appreciate some of his thinking. Not having myself read him, it’s difficult for me to determine whether this comes from him or not, but at least it’s struck me that people very into him often take a very black and white, either/or approach. I’m not saying my view is correct, I’m just saying that’s how it seems to me.
As I've mentioned in the past on here, I'm less interested in arguing with people over their beliefs about medicine as time goes on.
Solely focused on how I can be of most value to people around the globe, and do so completely transparently. If a living can be made with this approach (God willing), all the better. It means I can release the shackles of modern medicine, and practice the craft I love.
Indeed, the "grifter" trope is very tiring and overused now. It's completely ridiculous to judge how one earns one's living, and particularly when you are not in the business of harming but only helping.
Dear Remnant, I would like to comment on the venture you set out for yourself by writing this substack. As a general practitioner in Europe I was interested to see the kind of arguments used by substack writers with an anti-modern medicine stance. This interest comes from reading Ivan Illich his critique on medicine which I highly recommend. You will find however that his procedure is very different from yours. It seems that you are still operating from within the “technology” mindset which can be summarized as believing that one is in control of his or her circumstances. I am sure it would amuse you to read this, and would definitely recommend his book medical nemesis “limits to medicine”.
I want to thank you for introducing me to the story of the “remnant” in your about page. It is a narrative which has a strong flavour to my taste. I, unfortunately am afraid that you are starting to preach for the masses instead of the remnants. Especially by starting a business of private consultations you have confirmed to me the worry that ultimately, alternative or “traditional” medicine is always about making money too.
I took the time to write you a comment because you wrote that you are thankful of substack for the interesting feedback you get. And I agree that this is a great good of Substack. Reading through your comment sections however, I primarily see people praising you and no constructive criticism. This has probably to do with the paywall. In the few cases where there is criticism I belief your handling of the criticism is emotional and not factual.
This is in line with the tone in some of your paragraphs where there is little room for doubt and much confidence in criticizing the establishment. This seems to be in vogue in our times of hate and polarization. I like to remember a saying I think by Tolstoy; if people don’t listen to the truth it is because it hasn’t been said with kindness. Speak kind, and your words will reach further.
Coming from the establishment I have no further intend to defend it, except for saying that the reality of helping about 20 patients a day makes you realize that most people don’t come to the doctor to change their lives but because they want the quickest fix for the misery they are in. I believe I have read somewhere that you are trained as a radiologist and just want to warn you when you start to do consultations; the people you will see will be the happy few that are able and open to change their lives. I am referring back to Medical Nemesis for a further exploration of this problem.
Dear Remnant, I did enjoy reading your essays and will certainly continue to reflect on some hypothesis you introduced. But for now I return to the world of pragmatism in dealing with suffering, sound evidence if available and kindness without prejudice to the people I meet.
(For discussions on “evidence based medicine” I recommend the substack Sensible medicine)
Actually, instead of warnings and criticism let me give some suggestions;
- continue your inquiry in foundational health if it means exploring the impact of food, movement and mental well being on health. Leave room for doubt.
- read the ancients as you do. Maybe also celsus about the different schools of greek medicine; empirism, rationalism and methodism
- if you use pubmed articles be sure to know the basics of interpreting evidence. Again, Sensible medicine is a great substack for this.
You certainly didn’t learn any of this in med school. Kudos to you for being switched on enough to see these fundamentals. I particularly appreciated your discussion of side effects and how the damage is occurring even before an adverse event is noticed. This is important for people to know. It appals me that conventional medicine doesn’t merely play down side effects, but also most of the time dissociates from them. To me this reveals that despite all the science they studied to get to where they are, their practice is all too often unscientific.
I cannot remember if I’ve ever disagreed with you on this platform, but I’m very sure I have made clear my opposing views on X on occasion. There are indeed a few medics such as yourself who I generally like and appreciate for their ability to see both more broadly and also more subtly, but I’ve also noted that they never block me on X if I disagree with them even though I phrase it very plainly and bluntly. I do it politely of course, certainly not superciliously.
I only heard of Ivan Illich in recent years. He’s not easy to grasp, but I’ve learned some things through other writers that made me appreciate some of his thinking. Not having myself read him, it’s difficult for me to determine whether this comes from him or not, but at least it’s struck me that people very into him often take a very black and white, either/or approach. I’m not saying my view is correct, I’m just saying that’s how it seems to me.
Thank you.
Haven't read his work, but heard about it.
As I've mentioned in the past on here, I'm less interested in arguing with people over their beliefs about medicine as time goes on.
Solely focused on how I can be of most value to people around the globe, and do so completely transparently. If a living can be made with this approach (God willing), all the better. It means I can release the shackles of modern medicine, and practice the craft I love.
Indeed, the "grifter" trope is very tiring and overused now. It's completely ridiculous to judge how one earns one's living, and particularly when you are not in the business of harming but only helping.
Dear Remnant, I would like to comment on the venture you set out for yourself by writing this substack. As a general practitioner in Europe I was interested to see the kind of arguments used by substack writers with an anti-modern medicine stance. This interest comes from reading Ivan Illich his critique on medicine which I highly recommend. You will find however that his procedure is very different from yours. It seems that you are still operating from within the “technology” mindset which can be summarized as believing that one is in control of his or her circumstances. I am sure it would amuse you to read this, and would definitely recommend his book medical nemesis “limits to medicine”.
I want to thank you for introducing me to the story of the “remnant” in your about page. It is a narrative which has a strong flavour to my taste. I, unfortunately am afraid that you are starting to preach for the masses instead of the remnants. Especially by starting a business of private consultations you have confirmed to me the worry that ultimately, alternative or “traditional” medicine is always about making money too.
I took the time to write you a comment because you wrote that you are thankful of substack for the interesting feedback you get. And I agree that this is a great good of Substack. Reading through your comment sections however, I primarily see people praising you and no constructive criticism. This has probably to do with the paywall. In the few cases where there is criticism I belief your handling of the criticism is emotional and not factual.
This is in line with the tone in some of your paragraphs where there is little room for doubt and much confidence in criticizing the establishment. This seems to be in vogue in our times of hate and polarization. I like to remember a saying I think by Tolstoy; if people don’t listen to the truth it is because it hasn’t been said with kindness. Speak kind, and your words will reach further.
Coming from the establishment I have no further intend to defend it, except for saying that the reality of helping about 20 patients a day makes you realize that most people don’t come to the doctor to change their lives but because they want the quickest fix for the misery they are in. I believe I have read somewhere that you are trained as a radiologist and just want to warn you when you start to do consultations; the people you will see will be the happy few that are able and open to change their lives. I am referring back to Medical Nemesis for a further exploration of this problem.
Dear Remnant, I did enjoy reading your essays and will certainly continue to reflect on some hypothesis you introduced. But for now I return to the world of pragmatism in dealing with suffering, sound evidence if available and kindness without prejudice to the people I meet.
(For discussions on “evidence based medicine” I recommend the substack Sensible medicine)
Actually, instead of warnings and criticism let me give some suggestions;
- continue your inquiry in foundational health if it means exploring the impact of food, movement and mental well being on health. Leave room for doubt.
- read the ancients as you do. Maybe also celsus about the different schools of greek medicine; empirism, rationalism and methodism
- if you use pubmed articles be sure to know the basics of interpreting evidence. Again, Sensible medicine is a great substack for this.
All the best, John Glib
Thanks for the feedback, John.
I am familiar with Sensible medicine, as well as its founders Prasad et al.
I have no intention of operating within the modern allopathic framework for the remainder of my life/career.
All the best.