Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2011)
in other words Intruder Alert: Thinking or Thunking? By Burt Tschache I was reading an article recently in Discover called The End of Morality by Kristin Ohlson. Oh my goodness. Must we hype scientific discoveries, too? I don’t think we are even close to the end of morality. There’s still plenty for everybody. The article was about the work, last year, of cognitive scientists Joshua Greene and Firey Cushman at the Har- vard Moral Cognition Lab and the devel- opment of nightmarish moral dilemmas posed to volunteers laying in an fMRI machine and watching which areas of the brain lit up prior to the decision. One of the comments in the arti- cle was that a good moral dilemma made people go “Yuck,” as both outcomes are equally disgusting. It’s like the story told about Capt. Scott O’ Grady surviv- ing his crashing the party in Bosnia af- ter being shot down surviving on grass, bugs and sponge water. I’ve known kids to survive on worse. I question the bearing these dual answer scenarios have upon our morali- ty. These studies grew out of the ultimate moral question is it OK to take another’s life? Take a life to save more? Is it OK to take action to do the least amount of harm in a situation or let it roll? Reli- gion has answers for these moral dilem- mas, some of which occasionally seem contradictory to Scripture. Philosophy has wrestled with these questions since the beginning and still does. Science looks for the mechanisms of the deci- sion making process. Computer Science is now an official science as are several major aspects of it, so I will use a com- puter-based model. Computers are based on a lim- ited model of the brain as they have limited decision making processes pro- grammed into them using the Filters I wrote of last month. But no computer can even come close to the complex mental machinations of mankind. The brain rides herd over all the autonomic processes of the body, respiration, cir- culation, digestion, et al, and can also have several trains of thoughts running, get out of a chair, scratch where it itches and go to the fridge to build a Dagwood. That’s on an easy day. Computers could likely do all these things, but not all at the same time. Computers process one piece of data at a time extremely fast. The human brain has multitasking down. Computers now have several processors on a chip that can pat their head, rub their stomach while tap dancing. My question of the validity of a dual answer response is that there are always more than two answers. The questions always place the questionee at the apex of the dilemma and they can predict the outcome of door number one or door number two. What if there are Natural Path to Health: Who Am I? By Dr. Carol McIntyre Someone asked me once, “What is the difference between a Naturopathic doctor and a Medical doctor?” I thought for a moment and responded, “Naturopathic doctors hold the patient responsible for their own health.” It was a bold statement and I hoped it wasn’t misunderstood. Truly, as a Naturopathic physician, I work with the individual to optimize their health using herbs, supplements, nutritional/dietary support including detoxification plans, spinal manipulation, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, evaluation of lab work, minor surgery and prescription drug therapy when needed. I focus on all aspects of health and work to bring the individual to a balanced state of health, allowing for that individual to live the healthiest life they can. I even do house calls! In addition to being a Naturopathic doctor, I also hold my Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM). I studied the science, art and philosophy of Chinese medicine for 4 years and am a licensed acupuncturist. This allows me to bring a different form of medical thought into treatments. Acupuncture, shiatsu massage, tuina, moxa, cupping, Qigong and Chinese herbal formulas are all integrated into an individual’s treatment plan. When I began studying to be a Naturopathic doctor at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM), I was also required to take some basic Chinese philosophy classes. This experience opened up a whole new world for me. I found that the philosophy of the two disciplines were very similar and complementary to each other. Studying both has allowed me to use multiple healing techniques in combination with each other to meet the individual where they were and address their concerns from different aspects. The oath I took as a Naturopathic physician is this: Naturopathic Physician’s Oath- I dedicate myself to the service of humanity as a practitioner of the art and science of Naturopathic medicine. I will honor my teachers and all who have preserved and developed this knowledge and dedicate myself to supporting the growth and evolution of Naturopathic medicine. I will endeavor to continually improve my abilities as a healer through study, reflection and genuine concern for humanity. I will impart knowledge of the advanced healing arts to dedicated colleagues and students. Through precept, lecture and example, I will assist and encourage others to strengthen their health, reduce risks for disease and preserve the health of our planet for ourselves, our families and future generations. According to the best of my ability and judgment, I will use methods of treatment which follow the principles of Naturopathic medicine: First, do no harm, To act in cooperation with the Healing Power of Nature, To address the fundamental causes of disease, To heal the whole person through individualized treatment, To teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine. I will conduct my life and the practice of Naturopathic medicine with vigilance, integrity and freedom from prejudice. I will abstain from voluntary acts of injustice and corruption. I will keep confidential whatever I am privileged to witness, whether professionally or privately, that should not be divulged. The oath I took as a Chinese medicine practitioner is as follows: Oath Of Sun Simiao- I promise to follow the way of the Great Physician. I will strive to live in harmony with nature, and teach my patients to do the same. I will stay calm, and completely committed when treating disease. I will not give way to personal wishes and desire, but above all else, hold and nurture a deep feeling of compassion. I will be devoted to the task of saving the sacred spark of life, in every creature that still carries it. I will strive to maintain a clear mind and am willing to hold myself to the highest standards. It will be my duty to diagnose suffering and treat disease. I will not be boastful about my skills, nor driven by greed for material things. Above all, I will keep an open heart. As I move on the right path, I will receive great happiness as See us for the lowest prices 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks Available 58605 Nehalem Hwy S. P.O. Box 292 Vernonia, Oregon 97064 (503) 429-7867 10-5 Tue-Sat, 12-4 Sun 2011 7 more answers than just the two? What if the bi-outcome moral dilemma concept constricts the cognitive consciousness, by not letting all possibilities play out? There is a new type of comput- ing that has been looked at for quite a while, Quantum Computing. That should be quite a show if all the diver- gent parts can be interfaced into a cohe- sive non-structure. The human brain is a Quantum Computer. I believe there is a form of think- ing called Quantum Thinking and it al- lows for all possibilities to play out with no restriction. I view this as a form of Free Will as when the filters are dropped, data flows freely and new decisions arise spontaneously. More to come . . . Be Safe Out There . . . Burt Tschache is the owner of B&B Com- puting in Vernonia. He can be reached at bnb998@msn.com or 503-429-0817. a reward without asking for anything in return. This may still leave you to wonder what exactly it is I do… in short; I promote wellness by using every skill and technique I have learned through my study of Naturopathic and Chinese medicine. As many of you know, I have an office at 786 Bridge Street. I have been building my practice slowly and I feel so blessed to say that it is growing by leaps and bounds! New patients are continuing to knock on my door (literally!) or call to schedule appointments. Currently, I am treating patients from age 4 to age 80. I treat all types of health concerns from shoulder pain to cardiovascular disease and beyond. Soon my office will be equipped so I can do blood draws and I hope in the near future I will be set up to perform minor surgery. The biggest question I am asked is, “do you take insurance?”. YES. I bill out to insurance companies as an ‘out of network’ provider. Just call your insurance provider and ask if you have coverage for out of network Naturopathic doctors or Licensed Acupuncturists. I also have a cash fee for those who do not have insurance coverage and will provide a ‘super bill’ for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement if requested. My goal is to be Vernonia’s “small town doc” and provide healthcare to this community for many years to come. So far, it’s working out nicely. Thank you! Be Well~ Vernonia Dance Center Need more room? GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted U-Haul now available on site august23 Get Ready For Hunting Season! Archery Equipment - Sporting Goods Calls - Cammo - Boots - Accessories Binoculars - Scent Killers - Targets Family owned & operated for over 40 years 834 Bridge St, Vernonia 503-429-6364 Ballet Classes Registration Day is Wed. Sept. 7 4 - 6pm at VCLC All Ages Including a Boys Class Classes Begin Mon. Sept. 12 Call for Details Jessica Davis (503) 429~0850
