Simon's Blog

Amygdalin is a compound found in the seeds of apricots, apples, peaches, plums, red cherries, etc. The brief history of Amygdalin is connected to Dr. Ernst T. Krebs who thought it could be effective against cancer. Unfortunately, it was found to be very toxic. In the 50s his son purified a form of amygdalin (Laetrile), which became popular for alternative cancer treatment. But for various reasons the FDA banned its use indefinitely.  Known also as B17, when our bodies break it down, it produces cyanide, which some experts say is responsible for killing cancer cells. The FDA claims that calling Amygdalin a vitamin is manipulative and is only a way of getting around the regulations. Minor studies on animals treated with amygdalin have had mixed results. Several studies found very little benefit, while others had modest effect on certain kinds of cancer cells. Only two studies have examined the effects of laetrile on cancer in humans. In one study, 178 people were treated wi...

I saw three very angry exchanges. A man walking across the street, shirt-less, belly drooping, and looking very much like a 60-year-old Bart Simpson. As he crossed the street, a car entered the crosswalk almost hitting him. Turning quickly, the man jumped and shouted towards the driver, “you f***b***, watch where you’re going, you should get a ticket for that, goddamn it.” I'm across the street thinking to myself that if anyone needed a ticket…it’s this guy. A ticket for indecency, rudeness, and being a complete asshole. Fortunately, the lady driving paid him little attention. She drove and continued on with her way. How many times have you had to deal with someone like that? A customer who was unhappy because of a poor delivery. A colleague who was annoyed because you got the promotion. Someone who’s irritated because you were five minutes late. There are endless examples about how we lose our temper. It's easy to get rattled or offended when confronted with an angry person. ...

I'm sitting casually by an independent cafe attempting to read a new book. I’m not in the right mindset to begin this new adventure. My thoughts and dedication to unlocking a new book is parallel to running a marathon. It takes time and having the right attitude. So occasionally, as a form of distraction, I look up from my book. It’s very early with people hurrying to get their morning coffees and pastries. They leave the cafes now jolted with coffee in one hand and a cell in the other. I’m sitting next to a large colorful oak tree watching two people as they are engaged in thoughtful conversation. Cars quickly go by sounding like manufactured rivers.    It's a very beautiful summer day and most people walking are in simple t-shirts and shorts. Men and women are revealing more of themselves than I would like to see. But it’s summer and the advertisements are exploding. People are relaxed, carefree and want to be noticed. I played basketball earlier and it was obvious by my slu...

Often, I’m called Meme. Not sure I like the name but it’s better than being called Richard or Dick. I am told that I am an idea or some behavior that spreads from one person to the next within a culture. When I hear that description, it makes me feel that I am associated with viruses and bacterium. I am told that I spread through writing, speech, and often rituals especially religion. And in popular culture, I am usually in the form of images that’s circulated online spreading quickly through the internet. It certainly seems that I have become very popular since my father Richard Dawkins gave birth to me in 1976. I wish someone would celebrate my birthday. I am told that my father describes me as a cultural person that enjoys being everywhere. But I don’t think he knows me very well. He was never around when I was growing up. I am not sure that I even know myself well, but I do replicate through exposure to people, who tend to appreciate the information that I pass along. My father onc...

Ajun went to bed early. He felt like he had a full day and refused to entertain himself by defaulting into watching a TV show. He was getting tired of the simple routines and shrugged at the thought of reading a book. It was much better for him if he just closed his eyes and fell asleep. He hardly slept. He dreamt of places and people but couldn’t grasp the meaning of his lucid dreams. No sooner than he had gone to sleep, he opened his eyes, fully rested, energized, he leaped out of bed and went directly to the kitchen for his routine breakfast. The full moon was bright in the translucent sky and the light spread it fingers across the horizon seeming like it was close to sunrise. He thought it was around 5 or 6 in the morning.  But as he glanced outside, he recognized something he could not put his fingers on. He began to feel a creature inside him tugging at his core, trying to give him some perspective on time. He reached for his cell phone recognizing that it was not yet midnigh...