There are different themes with magic. There is wizards and witches, phsycics, transformers, mind-readers and so much more. What is the most believable form? Why?
This was a dumb question. There is no believable form of magic. After watching a physics honors presentatino about the the "Physics of Magic" in my physics class today, I realized that there is no way that any kind of magic could actually be believable unless you trick your minding into thinking so. It is, however, easier to get caught up in a world a wizards and witches than to believe someone can read your mind. This is why series like Harry Potter are so popular. Yet, the more mystical and realistic something is, the scarier and more humans try to analyze it. Phsycics and mind-readers deal with people in real life, and that is why they bring a different sense of mysticism than wizards and witches.
Magic is only successful when the viewers lend their minds to the trick. The Cliche' phrase, "all you have to do is believe" is very prevalent here. In fiction novels, a reader must become immersed in the story to enjoy it. Analyzing every move will only ruin the point of the magic in the book. Magic is supposed to be the unreal, the unimagined and the impossible. That is why human nature is drawn to it. The magic of today may, however, be the science of tomorrow. Just like flight was magic 100 years ago.
This week in class:
A) This week in class we watched a documentary on alternative medicine and the spread of its use in the US today. The documentary we watched had several points to it. Doctors are being mistrusted because of reputations of expensive medicine being prescribed without it actually helping the patient. But the documentary focused on the popularity, and profitability, of an alternative medicine market. The FDA does not have to clear these medicines in order for them to be sold, and yet, several thousands of people are buying them in hopes of a differnt method to recovery. Right now, over 30% of Americans are turning to alternative methods.
B) Personal experience makes me wonder about alternative methods. I think a mix of both is the true way to keep your body healthy. My mom is a certified Yoga teacher, and many of her colleagues and mentors have pointed her in the way of alternative medicine. It is more natural and organic, there is no question about that. But I question how effective it really is, for still being relatively high in price. I think a mixture of the two, in order to not put as many unneeded chemicals into your body as traditional science tend to do, yet still allowing some tradition in to make sure that you are getting the treatments you need is the right way to do things.
C) To bring in a another point, there are some who allow their body to fight for itself without any form of medicine at all. My neighbor is a firm believer in the strength of the human body and human immune system to fight off sickness and mend itself. There is something to say for not allowing any kind of excess, foreign medicine into one's body. I wonder if those are the healthiest, strongest bodies alive today.
Question for next week:
As we near the end of the year in Ethics class, my final question is what was your favorite part of the class? Which lessons stayed with you most?
Sources:
The Alternative Fix | FRONTLINE | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 09 June 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/altmed/.
Press Release | FRONTLINE | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 09 June 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/press/2203.html.
"7 Basic Principles of Magic (Penn and Teller) « Andy Wibbels." Andy Wibbels. Web. 09 June 2011. <http://andywibbels.com/7-basic-principles-of-magic-penn-and-teller/
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