THESIS: Increased cancer rates can be attributed to the "cancerous" growth rates we seek in our economic structures.
What is cancer? Wikipedia states: "Cancer...is a class of diseases in which a group of cells displays [my emphasis] uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), [and] invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues)..."- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer
Let's think for a moment about that bit concerning uncontrolled growth. Don't we lust after that kind of growth in our economies? And don't we consider that to be good? Isn't rapid (shall we say "cancerous?") growth in our investment portfolios considered the ideal? Only on rare occasion will anyone ever think: "Rapid growth in one area of our economy could be detrimental to other areas."
Even more rarely will anyone think: "Rapid growth in the economy as a whole could be detrimental to the entire body politic in the long run." Cancerous rates of economic growth, to continue the comparison, can be invasive in Wikipedia's sense - that is, they could be intrusive and destroy other aspects of society. All of which gave me pause when I saw this headline:
"Global cancer rates could increase by 50% to 15 million by 2020" - so claims a report bearing that title on the website of the World Health Organization [ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2003/pr27/en/ ]
Slow down, you're moving too fast
I know far too many people who have become virtual whirling dervishes. Their bodies might not rotate as do those of the famed Turkish "dancers." But their minds do - spinning ever more quickly, all in the name of "faster, faster, time is money." Most people fault carcinogens in the environment, but I will also fault mindset. That is, the kind of person who willing puts himself on the rat race's ever-accelerating treadmill is the kind of person who, shall we say, opens himself up to the effects of cancerous influences.
Cancer doesn't scare me, but it probably should. I'm the only member of my immediate family who hasn't been afflicted with cancer. My mother-in-law and father-in-law both died of cancer. My best friend had throat cancer. And I've heard from people I work with and from others in my circle of acquaintances who have had bouts or known of others in those straits.
So, why doesn't cancer scare me? If I am ever told that I have cancer, I can assure you one of my thoughts will be:
"Oh well. I've benefited all my life from the prosperity which cancerous (economic) growth has offered. So why should I be spared from having to pay the piper?"
Not that I'm a brave man – I'm not. Many things scare me, but I try to see how the things that happen to us fit into a larger scheme. Perhaps cancer will come my way, perhaps not. But in the meantime, I don't seek cancerous growth, I don't have a hurried mind, I'm not into manic acquisition, I'm more into give-give-give than take-take-take.
There's a lot to be said for the importance of one's state of mind. Maybe that won't ward off the cancer which might come my way, but meanwhile I do enjoy the serenity bestowed by trying to cultivate a more relaxed outlook. And there's a lot to be said for meanwhile.
And then there's the matter of nuclear waste
I had a nightmare once about how the US
Something has to be done and no other plan will be agreed upon. Once there was talk of using the state of Nevada Nevada 's senior senator, eventually became Senate Majority Leader, Nevada
It's funny how politics works, motivated in its own way by cancerous concerns.
Steven Searle for U.S. President in 2012
Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party
"Actually, anything that gnaws at our peace of mind can undermine our immune system, opening the way to a variety of cancers - some literal, others figurative yet just as deadly" - Steve.
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