NIMH to move away from DSM

Don’t understand the acronyms? This has to do with federal research of mental health. It raises questions about the ways mental disorders are diagnosed. But moreover, it challenges they way medical professionals think about mental disorders.

Unlike our definitions of ischemic heart disease, lymphoma, or AIDS, the DSM diagnoses are based on a consensus about clusters of clinical symptoms, not any objective laboratory measure. In the rest of medicine, this would be equivalent to creating diagnostic systems based on the nature of chest pain or the quality of fever.

>> Federal institute for mental health abandons controversial ‘bible’ of psychiatry | The Verge

Busyness is Not a Virtue

“How are you?”

“Oh, you know, crazy busy.”

If you find yourself responding like that, or if you find yourself dealing with lots of people who respond like that, then this blog post is a great read.

>> Busyness is Not a Virtue : iDoneThis blog

How do you deal with feelings of being crazy busy all the time? Or do you feel that way at all?

Who will you be 10 years from now?

puzzlebrainNPR presents a report on a study that showed that most people underestimate the degree to which their personalities and values will change in the future.

>> Read and listen: You Can’t See It, But You’ll Be A Different Person In 10 Years : Shots – Health News : NPR

How often do you stop to contemplate what you will be like in 10 years? I find that such pondering usually leads to snapshots of work and family — but do you ever think about how your values and beliefs will change?

Criticism vs. Cynicism

Criticism vs Cynicism

Throughout our lives we face critique — feedback from others about our work and behavior. How do we tell what feedback to take to heart, and what to disregard?

Recently The 99 Percent featured an article about Criticism vs. Cynicism, which presents a lens through which to evaluate the responses we get from others. I thought it was well worth a read, especially if you’re involved in a creative craft.

>> Read: On Criticism, Cynicism & Sharpening Your Gut Instinct :: Tips :: The 99 Percent

Original Pitch Video for The Muppet Show

For all you Muppets fans out there, you must check out this pitch video that Jim Henson made to sell The Muppet Show to CBS:

>> Link: Original pitch video for The Muppet Show

Adolf Eichmann’s capture, as told by the Mossad

For the first time in its notoriously secretive history, the Mossad — Israel’s intelligence service — has opened its vaults to the public. In cooperation with an Israeli museum, the Mossad curated documents and artifacts pertaining to the capture and trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the Nazi’s chief architects of the Holocaust.

Visitors can see actual notepads and cameras used during Israel’s mission to extract Eichmann from hiding in Argentina (a story worth a read, especially if you’re not familiar with how the Israelis captured the aging Nazi). Also, numerous artifacts from the Eichmann trial are on display — including the infamous bulletproof glass booth in which he sat during his trial.

>> Learn more:  Adolf Eichmann’s capture, as told by the Mossad, in Israel exhibition | the guardian

>> Visit the museum: Operation Finale at Beit Hatfutsot

Distracted Driving: The New Drunk Driving

April is Distracted Driving Month. The Economist reports on the effects of cell phones on driving ability:

The human brain has to work harder to process language and communication with somebody who is not physically present.

Such distractions, according to one study, make drivers more collision-prone than having a blood-alcohol level of .08%, the legal limit in America. It appears to raise the risk of an accident by four times. Texting multiplies the risk by several times again.

This is striking. While research into the quantitative effects of distracted driving will surely continue to amaze us, we don’t need statistics to remind us to be safe while driving. Everyone let’s remember to pay attention to the road.

>> Read more: Car safety: Think before you speak | The Economist

A Brief History of Bicycles in Los Angeles

Los Angeles public TV station KCET presents A Brief History of Bicycles in the Los Angeles Area on their blog. For everyone interested in bicycles or LA history–or both!–the article includes some wonderful photos of a bike-friendly LA from a century ago.

One particular bit of note:

Seeking to capitalize on popular interest in the sport, the Southern Pacific Railroad built a bicycle track and spectator stand in the beach community. The Santa Monica Cycle Path to Los Angeles was later built along the present-day route of Washington Boulevard.

Good timing on the blog post, KCET: tonight is the Hammer Museum’s 3rd annual Bike Night.

>> Link: A Brief History of Bicycles in the Los Angeles Area | History | SoCal Focus | KCET

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