Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
Yes, I agree that some do have a problem with their eventual demise. But, hey, isn't that the same reason why religion is so popular? Yet most of us don't go around complaining about the belief of "eternal life in heaven," do we? Rush says he loves puncturing myths; Is that one next?  No, he will only puncture myths where there's a payoff, like the one he gets from advertising processed foods on the radio. 
Again, I agree. But don't forget the other side of the equation. On the other side, there's Rush (speaking for the fast food industry) telling us that eating fast food isn't going to hurt us to any significant degree, if at all. And billions upon billions have been made selling highly processed junk.
Well, there's where I have a little bit of dissagreement. In many cases, genes have to be triggered by something in the environment. Each of us may be susceptible to certain diseases, but it usually takes something from the environment (including one's diet) to act as a trigger. (Although, that should not be interpreted as a potential to live forever.)
 Except, perhaps, for the moderation part. What does it really mean? Does it mean one pizza per week? Once a month? Once a year? My threshold (or tolerance) for moderation just happens to be much lower than that of the average person. I'm assuming that "moderation" means moderate consumption of processed foods. Would anyone apply it to fidelity in marriage? Would it be acceptable to cheat on a spouse as long as it's done in moderation? Do you see what I mean? Some people are very much against cheating. Well, I happen to be very much against cheating on my diet regimen because I don't happen to believe that I will be better off for doing so.
|
Villages PL:
I personally made a judgement in error by addressing my opinion of Rush. The important aspect of this topic is mankind's response to death and not him.
From a religious aspect you are correct; albeit I don't see too many people rushing to get into heaven.
As for genetics. The short of it is that we age because at some point our genes fail to reproduce. Scientist are working to extend the reproduction process. Genetics are key to longevity.
Let's take the issue of faty foods and cholestrol. Experts paint a broad brush and some go to extremes. As an example a Harvard study explained that there are three types of consumers of fatty foods: those whose system excrete cholestrol, those who compensate and those who store. Obviously the storer (of fat) is the bigger problem. so to suggest that everyone eating meat, etc is shortening their life expectancy can be mischaracterized. It could well be because of the store factor that even with such a consumer eating more vegetables his/her life expectancy will be shortened. Also we have people who are born with congenial defects that are in a manner speaking invincible until they rear their ugly heads.
Which leads me to address the Greek's suggestions for moderation. When I remind my brother about this Greek philosophy his come back is always" I believe in moderation in fact I believe in a lot of moderation."
The problem with many of us is that we have forgotten the benefit of sacriface. Perhaps it is because as a Catholic I found the benefits of fasting, etc. to be very beneficial. To this day there are many things I intentionally forego because I believe it is of a benefit to my body and soul.
Far too small a number of American can appreciate the benefits of self-sacriface as we have become a wealthy consumer oriented society where materialism and hedonistic ways of living have become not only fashionable but the norm. Its why for instance that a Tim Tebow is laughed at because of his belief in foregoing cardinal pleasure until he is married.
We use to admire such people
As a young boy my Dad pointed to a guy he knew. My Dad told me that this guy would drive the streets of our city until dawn because he was afraid that he would die in his sleep. You guess it he died in his sleep. How many of us would want such a passing. Finally we as a people seem to believe we can remove the risks associaed with living. Isn't that unfortunate as some people buy into this nonsense. We can certainly find ways to reduce some of our risks but we will never be able to eliminate them.