Superheroes and Solutions? (for Labor Day, 2012)

Superheroes have been around for a long time-Superman and Batman since the 1930’s, Spiderman since the 1960’s. In a New York Times article, authors Manohla Dargis and A.O.Scott suggest that today’s superheroes are even more powerful.  (“Super-dreams of an Alternate World Order,”  July 1, 2012). Superheroes tap into our national myths and ideas of “American exceptionalism—“….that this country is different from all others because of its mission to make ‘the world safe for democracy,’ as Woodrow Wilson and…Iron Man both put it.”

A major change from the superheroes of the ‘30s and ‘60s is that the element of playfulness is no longer a common part of the repertoire. The few women superheroes perpetuate sexism through their physical beauty and indulgent smiles. The Joker’s question from “The Dark Knight” is mocking, “Why so serious?” Revenge has become the obsession.

Psychologists know that the appetite for revenge feeds on itself, the way a blast of oxygen energizes a fire. I witnessed a small example of this acted out on the cross-town bus the other day: an altercation between a woman, angered when a tall man shoved her frail 82-year-old father, ordering him to get out of the way. “Wait until you get old,” she shouted. He yelled back a series of profanities and the exchange roared above the purr of bus motor for several blocks. Fortunately no one had a gun.

News in the media supports the fact that men are losing power in our society. Perhaps the superhero serves as an anodyne, numbing the pain of men who feel impotent in our modern society.  If this is the case, the development serves to distance us--through avoidance, denial, escapism--from positive, constructive action: respect, understanding, apology, and empathy.

Have the superheroes gone too far? The frightening question underlying this media trend:  Is this hunger for revenge contributing to the random shootings that threaten to become commonplace? The last mass slaughter occurred in an Aurora, Colorado movie theatre during the midnight premier of “The Dark Knight Rises.”

How much longer, how much more, before we hit bottom?

Dear Reader, Please share your thoughts. Jsimon145@gmail.com

Arrogance and Ability (from musicians to politicians)

A few days ago I attended a concert. Sitting next to me, a spritely woman of my vintage began to chat. She was commenting on the personal attributes of various musicians. 
 “He is a wonderful person,” she said about one. “But he is arrogant,” she said pointing to another.

Because I’m an ardent music lover, I tend to place musicians on a pedestal. Without thinking, I said, “Well, he’s entitled.”

“Is he?” she asked. The concert began and our discussion ended, but the question lingered like an aftertaste on the palate of my mind.

Musical genius is a gift, to a degree inexplicable, a rare flip of the genes (and/or a hand-me- down from God). A person can’t will, want or purchase genius, although it can be squandered. Clearly the musician in question dedicates his life to his art, makes the obligatory sacrifices and thrives on performing.

But some geniuses are arrogant and some aren’t. Does immense talent entitle one to be arrogant? J. S. Bach, one of the most prolific composers and greatest geniuses, attributed his ability to “a gift from God” for whom he wrote his music. Bach’s attitude embodies the antithesis of arrogance--modesty and subservience to a higher power.

Listed in the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM) under Narcissistic Personality Disorders, arrogance is defined as “an attitude of superiority.” The  arrogant person brims with pride; his attitude exudes an air of “I’m better than you.”

Like the growl of an angry dog, arrogance is a defense, a warning,  “Beware. Keep your distance.” Because of his specialness, an arrogant person feels “entitled” to more than other mere mortals, upon whom he seems to peer down from the heights. This stance can be off-putting; we tend to avoid arrogant people. On the other hand, if we’ve been raised by arrogant parents, we may find the quality attractive.

The writings of theologian Martin Buber (I-Thou, 1923) add understanding. Buber discourses on the individual’s relationship with others. In an I-Thou relationship, he experiences himself as part of the world and dialogues as an equal. If he sets himself apart (as an arrogant person does), he relates in an I-It relationship, viewing the other as an inferior, an object.

The arrogant person can induce a feeling of specialness. Instead of “guilt by association,” arrogance may convey the message “special by association” and such an attitude doesn’t win friends or influence people. Politicians, for instance, must confront their arrogance in order to gain popular support, as voters don’t tolerate well an air of superiority in a person they elect to serve them and their interests.

Conclusion: Arrogance and ability don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Arrogance may be related to a person’s gifts but serves to isolate him. By contrast the individual in an I-Thou relationship sees himself as part of humanity.

Dear Reader, I welcome your comments. jsimon145@gmail.com

What Energizes Us?

Unfortunately, energy isn’t simply an item we can order off the menu but yet another attribute we acquire with discipline.

Many factors play a role in our energy level. First our genetic make-up. Most of us are born with an equal number of fast-twitch fibers that rapidly contract to provide quick energy, required in sprinting, and slow-twitch fibers that generate enduring energy, necessary for long-distance running.

I note that the energy of my neighborhood dogs varies in amount and quality as it does in people. Freddy, a regal golden retriever saunters, serene and slow; presumably his slow-twitch fibers predominate. By contrast, my schipperke dog Woolf, a ratter engineered for fast response, scampers. Given a lack of environmental stimulation, Woolf readily assumes the posture of a couch potato. His reaction confirms that energy levels sometimes depend on- what’s in or out of- our heads.

Energy depletion is natural and stems from many causes. As a cell ages, its telomeres-the protective DNA sequences on the end of each chromosome-shorten.  Eventually normal cells with short telomeres stop replicating and the cell dies. Mitochondria, the microscopic energy-yielding factories in our cells, become dysfunctional when telomeres shorten and fray.  Mitochondrial diminution over time in part explains energy loss. Dysfunctional mitochondria cause additional oxidative stress (increased free radicals) which increases aging.

Scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found data suggesting that telomere shortening is the cause of mitochondrial dysfunction and diminished antioxidant defenses. Together they decrease the body’s energy and diminish organ function, both characteristic of old age.

Free radicals like toxins, air pollution, sun exposure, ozone nitrous oxide (from auto exhaust) cigarette smoke and alcohol consumption, damage cell membranes and are responsible for causing diseases.

Current therapies aim at boosting the human body’s antioxidant defenses by recommending

1.     eating a healthy diet

2.     reducing calories

3 . supplementing with antioxidant vitamins C and E, green tea, CoQ10 (a co-enzyme that converts fats and carbohydrates to energy sources) and resveratrol, found in grape juice and red wine. These products protect the telomeres and support the generation of new mitochondria.

Except for the common psycho-stimulants like coffee, soda and chocolate, the efficacy of many over-the-counter chemicals isn’t clear.  

Energy spent in exercise is not like spending money, but actually has a paradoxical effect. Increasing the expenditure of energy as we exercise ultimately increases our energy and endurance, while spending money depletes the supply.

When we engage in an activity we enjoy, we have more energy to burn. By contrast, our energy lags when we’re forced. Many of us find shopping energizing and bill paying depleting.

Conflict can energize or paralyze. Needing to resolve a question can fire us up. If we find decision-making overwhelming, it can paralyze. In contrast to disinterest, ideas and goals inspire. Research shows that people without mental challenges are more likely to succumb to Alzheimer’s disease. When we meet our goals, it’s best to establish new ones and focus on what we can control to nurture our energy supplies. Calories, a measure of energy, are not all created equal. Some foods provide quick energy, orange juice and sugary items like cakes and cookies, but this energy is short lived. Complex carbohydrates like fruits and grains provide enduring energy.

Some energy promoting factors:

1. good quality sleep

2. good quality food like peanut butter

3. positive thinking including love and caring for someone and/or something outside ourselves

4. meeting goals and establishing new ones

Some energy depleting factors:

1.insufficient or poor quality sleep

2.fast burning foods- sweets, simple carbohydrates

3. alcohol and anti-anxiety medications (the benzodiazepines)  abuse of psycho-stimulants

4. negative thinking, conflict, guilt, disinterest and apathy

Conclusion: We improve our quality of life when we are aware and nurture our energy in natural ways.

Dear Reader, Please offer your experiences and insights.

jsimon145@gmail.com

Roadblocks and Obstacles

Roadblocks like checkpoints on the highway require us to slow down or stop. They interrupt our journey. The term roadblock is a useful metaphor for a life event that requires our attention in order to continue. I refer to a roadblock in our minds as an obstacle. Our minds tend to exaggerate or minimize these.

To continue the highway theme, a skilled driver peers down the road as far as his eyesight allows. Likewise the person who lives his life with skill cares about  and tries to anticipate the consequences of his actions. (Bernard Madoff, the man behind the largest Ponzi scheme in history,  embodies the opposite of seeing down the road, blinding himself to the implications of his behavior, destroying thousands of lives including his own family.)

Roadblocks and obstacles are a tricky part of living. Bringing them to our awareness is vital to our creativity and our happiness. Knowing how to circumvent them  as good drivers find detours around barricades can also serve us well. Victims of heart attacks for instance recover faster when they minimize (the obstacle of )cardiac disease.

At other times, underestimating a road block can endanger our survival. For example, challenging a gun wielding mugger can leave us dead on the sidewalk.  Overestimating an obstacle like our limited experience can result in sabotaging a good job offer.

Conclusion:  Attention to roadblocks and obstacles is an expedient avenue to follow. Paying attention increases our awareness to the possibility of exercising judgment and choice.

Dear Reader: I look forward to your comments.

Jsimon145@gmail.com

Travel and Aging: Adventures through Time

 On my road trip I realize that aging is like traveling through time. As children we yearn for time to pass quickly. “Next year I’ll be eight,” my granddaughter says with a dreamy faraway look in her eyes. We’re driving to Bear Mountain to see her camp. Within a few minutes of  the trip, she repeats every ten minutes or so, “When will we be there?”

Contrasting with an eight-year-olds’ anticipation for time to pass quickly, the 80-year-olds I know want time to slow down. They aren’t in a hurry to arrive at the final destination. 

 On the home front, routine dominates and time passes more quickly for both young and old. Travel is a way of slowing down time. We confront the novel, the unexpected, the need to problem-solve at every turn on the road.

 Living in New York City I feel deprived of fresh air. One of my goals on this journey is to load up on it. But I discover that none of the hotel and motel windows open; even the windows of ground-floor rooms are sealed tightly shut.

 I realize that we barricade ourselves from Nature in other ways. To some extent, we shut out our awareness of the nature of aging.

 But why not? Humans are naturally greedy. We want to live as long as possible and we strive for elements to support survival. Fresh air is one and explains my perturbation at finding the windows sealed. We share our life force with animals and plants. Who hasn’t been awed by the energy and determination of the seedling poking its fragile, slender stem through a crack in the cement!

 Conclusion: Travel and aging are opportunities to examine our passage through time and to recognize the natural state of greediness.  Every journey has an end. We do best not to squander our valuable resource-time which to some degree we can control.