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T O P I C
The End of Hypochondria?
September 24th 2003, 11:16 CEST by Marsh Davies

Those unlucky enough to have hereditary susceptibility to illness might find themselves being turned down insurance, in a perturbing Gattaca-style drive towards genetic fingerprinting.

Yes, I know I sound like a hysterical tabloid scaremonger, but, as I discovered to my horror, insurance companies can already demand tests for Huntington’s disease, and have every intention of snooping for hereditary dispositions towards other illnesses too.

In fact, here is a very enlightening article from the Independent, all about it.

But, to be honest, I’m not interested in slapping the insurance companies’ wrists. It was pretty inevitable. What interests me is the social implications it will have on another curious phenomenon of our time – over-eager self-diagnosis. It may be because I’m a reasonably un-allergic, generally healthy chap. It may be because I’m an intolerable cunt. Who knows? But the fact is, I find the sudden increase in new illnesses to be slightly baffling, irritating, and remarkably faddish.

I know, I know, some of you pill-popping neurotic post-yuppy self-obsessives really do suffer from crippling ailments that prevent you from eating dairy-products, or root-vegetables, or breathing nitrogen, or enjoying life at all. But you must admit, that especially in the area of poorly-understood psychological welfare, the rise in diagnosable illness seems to be part and parcel in the increasing denial of responsibility. You’re not “rubbish at reading”, you are “dyslexic”; you’re not “a poorly behaved shit”, you’ve got “attention deficit disorder”; you’re not “smothered by over-bearing parents”, you’ve “got M.E”.

Please don’t think that I’m saying that the former of these perspectives is the right one. I’m just saying there has been a change in perspective. And suddenly, nothing’s anyone’s fault any more. And suddenly, it’s fashionable to be ill. And suddenly, cooking for people is real fucking pain in the ass, lest an errant particle of peanut accidentally causes guests to have spastic fits and swallow their own tongues. Look at the number of discussions we’ve had on here about the pills we take and what for. The ‘Crap may not be the epicentre of cool, but it certainly mirrors the trendy obsession with self-medication and self-diagnosis, if not a narcissistic desire for drama.

But with there now being an incentive to be as healthy as possible or otherwise being exiled into a genetic underclass, will this all change? Instead of sharing post-vicodin margarita chasers with friends, nibbling at a taste-free Atkins approved meal, and saying how wonderful it is you can now buy CFC free bananas because they used be just so terrible for your fragile complexion, will we be wrestling in our own faeces and eating worms just to prove how wonderfully tough our constitutions are?
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#172 by G-Man
2003-09-25 05:37:26
Quicken in #166 said:
On the whole people feeling their 20 minute train trip is more important than anything else that can possibly delay me topic. I thought this was an interesting display of just how shockingly impatient and hate filled some Australians are getting. It shames me that they could suggest a few deaths is a justified cost for them to get home on time.
That is a mighty slippery slope you got there partner. So I take it you agree with lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour? It would avoid countless deaths due to automobile accidents.
#173 by Squeaky
2003-09-25 06:00:15
#164 Warren Marshall
#161 UncleJeet
#148
Squeaky

You're getting married at Disneyworld right? I saw the chapel there last time I went. And oh. my. god. what an elaborate set-up they've got.


Yessir, we'll be in that very chapel at 2:00pm on Oct. 6th.  See?  How can I possibly be so insane and mean and romantic all at the same time!  IT MUST BE GENIUS ECCENTRICITY!  Well that, or just a particularly odd rash....I'd tend to think the latter, in fact.  Damned but it itches!

Some might find it less genius and more pathetic, but others might not.

I forgot to mention the wedding happening at the chapel at the time. It is FAR from pathetic.

I'd get married there.

I have lost my way
But I hear a tale
About a heaven in Alberta
Where they've got all hell for a basement
DVDs
#174 by Quicken
2003-09-25 06:11:56
gdunn@backmeup.net.au
#172 G-Man
That is a mighty slippery slope you got there partner. So I take it you agree with lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour? It would avoid countless deaths due to automobile accidents


Like the comments much earlier in this thread about the unreasonable hostility of train passengers. I think this is a case where drivers could have relaxed and said "Getting home 20 minutes late is fine as long as I don't start dodging bullets". There's a fine like between a safe way things can be done and an unsafe way. 25 mph is one extreme. Asking the police to shoot without thought is another.

I prefer something in the middle. There's no need to push for an extreme that assures only one thing: someone will be shot and likely die.

Besides which if a shooting starts the area becomes a crime scene and no one gets home any faster!

I withdraw my formerly announced love for you G-man you nasty lawyer-type you!
#175 by Squeaky
2003-09-25 06:19:40
The only people that are worse than lawyers are people trying to sell you mastercards in the mall. I'm coming home from work:

salesdickfuck: "'Scuse me sir, would you like to sign up for a free mastercard?"

me: ...

salesdickfuck: "It's completly free."

me: ...

salesdickfuck (yelling as I'm halfway on the otherside of the mall): "You'll enjoy great benefits!"

Or my favorite from a few days ago (same salesdickfuck):

sdf: "Would you like to sign up for a free mastercard?"

me: "No."

sdf: "It's free."

me: "Well in that case..." *looking like I'm genuinely interested*

*sdf getting excited*

me: "Hell no." And I walk off.

I have lost my way
But I hear a tale
About a heaven in Alberta
Where they've got all hell for a basement
DVDs
#176 by G-Man
2003-09-25 06:20:37
It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.
#177 by Squeaky
2003-09-25 06:28:36
#176 G-Man
It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

If you keep telling yourself that, it might come true one day.

I have lost my way
But I hear a tale
About a heaven in Alberta
Where they've got all hell for a basement
DVDs
#178 by Phayyde
2003-09-25 06:52:42
Ryslin, you are young.  30 is a mere fawnling.

Beat to fit, paint to match.
#179 by UncleJeet
2003-09-25 08:21:44
#173
Squeaky

I forgot to mention the wedding happening at the chapel at the time. It is FAR from pathetic.

I'd get married there.


Kudos to you, Squeakster!  I've learned that the green-eyed naysayers will never understand, though.  I take the Mickey Mouse insults with pride, giggling at their ignorance.

(Still, I think Warren was more reacting to my "genius" comment, while also completely ignoring the self-depricating rash bit, more than the wedding.  He's a silly old goose!)

I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
#180 by Squeaky
2003-09-25 08:23:57
#179 UncleJeet
(Still, I think Warren was more reacting to my "genius" comment, while also completely ignoring the self-depricating rash bit, more than the wedding.  He's a silly old goose!)

Yeah, I realized that as soon as I hit post.

I have lost my way
But I hear a tale
About a heaven in Alberta
Where they've got all hell for a basement
DVDs
#181 by deadlock
2003-09-25 09:51:29
http://www.deadlocked.org/
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour, then I read Phaydde's post. Seriously man, you got issues. I seriously expect to live a full and healthy life and eventually die dribbling in an old folk's home at the ripe old age of 96. As do most people.

Incidentally, are you 15 or something?

Also:
If you have never noticed that there is an unnatural American obsession with death avoidance, look at healthcare spending in the US compard to that of every other nation for the last one hundred years.

I'm pretty sure that that has something to do with the fact that a lot of other nations (certainly European) have a social welfare system that negates - to a certain extent - the need for private health insurance.

Caryn:
There is an obsession with immortality and perpetual youth in this country.

That's true of most Western nations and the answer is pretty simple: an awful lot of people have very little to do. Oh sure, most of us work, raise families etc., but most of the hard stuff in life is taken care of, giving us time to worry about trivial shit, like looking younger and getting the most from our 56.6 modem.

"You know you are doing art when everyone has an opinion of what you're doing." - Lexx, creator of the supremely stupid Doom for Columbine mod.
#182 by Ashiran
2003-09-25 11:10:37
Health is one of the three parts of hapiness money can't buy.

AND DON'T ADD A SMILEY AFTER EVERY GODDAMN THING YOU SAY!
#183 by The_Joker
2003-09-25 11:11:40
http://www.jackinworld.com
usually i feel 80.

Joker, Ph.D. Procedural Assholian Behaviour, Pedophilosopher
- All your ass are belong to my wang Jafd. Prepare to are penetration.
"I fart in THX." - Sgt_Hulka

PENETRATOR: Rise of the Wang Cuming "When it's done".
#184 by Gunp01nt
2003-09-25 12:13:41
supersimon33@hotmail.com
inches?

Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
#185 by Gunp01nt
2003-09-25 12:16:05
supersimon33@hotmail.com
that that one self should accept full responsibility for the activity, and as such exempt it from regulation.


right, thank god we live in a world where people DON'T try to dry their dog in a microwave, and thank god they DON'T sue the microwave manufacturer for not specifying that putting a dog in a microwave oven is lethal to the dog.
and then there's this story about a woman who spilled coffee in her lap and sued mcdonalds for it. Over to you, Warren!

Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
#186 by Ryslin
2003-09-25 13:02:49
(waves piece of paper)
Female medication- My General Doc is not allowed to proscribe any gynocological pills. Got it? He is not certified in that one area. My current insurance prefers random choosing of your obgyn. This assures you spend months trying to find a doctor that you like and understands your needs.

However he is a GREAT guy.
I gave you the two extremes when seeing obgyns in my condition. Either they think its all in my head and a weeks worth of pills will work(never has yet) or rip it out and start over. Not to be graphic,I FEEL a orgasm in more than my outer clit. Thank you mister DR. for attempting to remove HALF of my sex life. Wile telling me there is no way I would notice a diffrence. I pray for an early menopause.

30 is young. I know that. Two kids and alot of abuse later I know that I am truly closer to 50.

Zang! Who is that, running over the desert! It is Ryslin, hands clutching a bladed baseball bat! And with a spectacular grunt, her voice cometh:

"I'm going to spank you beyond mortal comprehension, then bake cookies!"
#187 by lwf
2003-09-25 13:17:30
This is.. I don't think the place.

i'd let her suck my dick
#188 by Gunp01nt
2003-09-25 13:18:42
supersimon33@hotmail.com
shh... caryn and ryslin are talking women stuff, better not intrude in that conversation.

Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
#189 by lwf
2003-09-25 13:37:06
Are you saying I am not the intended audience?

i'd let her suck my dick
#190 by Ryslin
2003-09-25 13:42:11
(waves piece of paper)
Accually I think it was mrbloo who asked why a doctor wouldn't be able to prescribe female oriented meds.

My sexual satisfaction I have no problem sharing or unsharing. When they talk about removing your penis and replacing it with a large tube. Then they mention you wont feel a difference when you have sex, We then can have a conversation.

Zang! Who is that, running over the desert! It is Ryslin, hands clutching a bladed baseball bat! And with a spectacular grunt, her voice cometh:

"I'm going to spank you beyond mortal comprehension, then bake cookies!"
#191 by lwf
2003-09-25 13:52:26
How large of a tube are we talking about here?

i'd let her suck my dick
#192 by Dethstryk
2003-09-25 14:10:29
jemartin@tcainternet.com
Wait, wait.

Ryslin has a big penis that needs to be replaced with a tube?

sunny days have funny ways of quieting the roar
#193 by deadlock
2003-09-25 14:16:52
http://www.deadlocked.org/
Weren't you paying attention? She's supposed to be a woman.

Sorry Ryslin, I know we shouldn't mock...

"You know you are doing art when everyone has an opinion of what you're doing." - Lexx, creator of the supremely stupid Doom for Columbine mod.
#194 by LPMiller
2003-09-25 14:18:08
lpmiller@gotapex.com http://www.gotapex.com
And can it hold other things, like say, coffee?

I believe I can fly......urk.
#195 by LPMiller
2003-09-25 14:18:52
lpmiller@gotapex.com http://www.gotapex.com
Not Ryslin. I don't care if she can hold coffee. I'm thinking about this mythical tube penis.

I believe I can fly......urk.
#196 by Dethstryk
2003-09-25 14:34:52
jemartin@tcainternet.com
Would you really want hot coffee in your tube penis?

sunny days have funny ways of quieting the roar
#197 by Gunp01nt
2003-09-25 14:37:17
supersimon33@hotmail.com
yes, because then you could sue mcdonalds.

Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
#198 by Dumdeedum
2003-09-25 14:56:20
http://www.dumdeedum.com
It'd be worth it if it was a prehensile tube that you could use like an elephant's trunk for picking things up and sucking up water (or coffee) and stuff.

Daddy was a bank robber
#199 by UncleJeet
2003-09-25 15:43:10
#185
Gunp01nt

right, thank god we live in a world where people DON'T try to dry their dog in a microwave, and thank god they DON'T sue the microwave manufacturer for not specifying that putting a dog in a microwave oven is lethal to the dog.
and then there's this story about a woman who spilled coffee in her lap and sued mcdonalds for it. Over to you, Warren!


I'll intercept this in confusion.  You cite one urban myth, then seem to imply that the coffee lawsuit is one as well.  At least, I think this is what you're doing - if so, you're a wee bit conf00zled.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/micropet.htm <-- Standard Folklore 101 information on the pet in the microwave bit.  Bleh.

http://www.citizen.org/congress/civjus/tort/myths/articles.cfm?ID=785 <-- Mcdonald's case.  Not quite as frivolous as has been made out over the years, but actual and factual - everything is satisfactual!

People crying URBAN MYTH has become extremely popular over the last few years, whereas not too long ago, hardly anybody even knew the term.  Did a lot of colleges institute Anthropology classes centered around folklore and make them mandatory or something?  Or did people just see the movies, I wonder....

I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
#200 by UncleJeet
2003-09-25 15:46:31
Dammit, Gabe - I want auto-parsing URL's and I want them NOW!

And a beignet as well, if it's not too much trouble.   Mmmmmmmm.

I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
#201 by Gunp01nt
2003-09-25 15:52:14
supersimon33@hotmail.com
jeet: c0nf00zle your 455.


btw - I just read the funniest thing regarding the HL2 delay:
There's no reason why people can't be pissed at Valve for delaying Half-Life 2. First, this is a free country and we have the right to be pissed if we please. Second, it's not my fault I was so eagerly awaiting the game: it's Valve's fault, because they hyped the game so much.
Now that the game has been delayed I am no longer interested because it's most likely to suck.


Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
#202 by UncleJeet
2003-09-25 16:14:05
I hate fans.  They either whine or bitch or bitch or whine or whine and bitch or bitch and whine.  I'm glad I don't have any.

I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
#203 by Ashiran
2003-09-25 16:16:28
Me too.

AND DON'T ADD A SMILEY AFTER EVERY GODDAMN THING YOU SAY!
#204 by zimbardo_ugly
2003-09-25 16:22:57
zimbardo_ugly@hotmail.com
But that HL2 shit was a joke, not expression of fandom.

"All things fall and are built again,
And those that build them again are gay." (W. B. Yeats)
#205 by Ashiran
2003-09-25 16:25:30
There's no reason why people can't be pissed at Valve for delaying Half-Life 2. First, this is a free country and we have the right to be pissed if we please. Second, it's not my fault I was so eagerly awaiting the game: it's Valve's fault, because they hyped the game so much.
Now that the game has been delayed I am no longer interested because it's most likely to suck.

What was really said ofcourse is: "I'm stupid for believing unrealistic releasedates."

AND DON'T ADD A SMILEY AFTER EVERY GODDAMN THING YOU SAY!
#206 by Neale
2003-09-25 16:30:58
neale@pimurho.co.uk www.pimurho.co.uk
Hang on, hang on.

Women have orgasms?

You can't derail this train of idiocy, Shadarr. Not even with a big fat cow of logic on the tracks. - Bailey
#207 by LPMiller
2003-09-25 16:31:43
lpmiller@gotapex.com http://www.gotapex.com
Not yours, apparently.

I believe I can fly......urk.
#208 by Warren Marshall
2003-09-25 17:03:24
http://www.wantonhubris.com/
#206 Neale
Hang on, hang on.

Women have orgasms?

So lonely.

Respawn Games
Open your mind, let the beatings begin.
#209 by mrbloo
2003-09-25 17:03:51
mrbloo2000@hotmail.com
Ryslin
Accually I think it was mrbloo who asked why a doctor wouldn't be able to prescribe female oriented meds.


God no, that was Caryn.  I was curious about it, but I'd never ask.  If you have an obgyn, I'd see why you wouldn't want your GP attempting to duplicate the specialist's work.  I'm surprised Bailey didn't answer Caryn's question with a quick "female-oriented meds = mood-stabilisers".  I guess even trying that joke will get me beaten up by all you temperamental women :)

#210 by Caryn
2003-09-25 17:07:37
carynlaw@pacbell.net http://www.hellchick.net
I guess I just didn't think about that answer first because my Ob-Gyn is also my general practitioner as she's considered a "family doctor", the kind that can care for you from birth to death. Makes things convenient, too.

My battlecry: "Zang! Who is that, running on the fields! It is Hellchick, hands clutching buzzsaw hand extensions! She roars mightily: 'I'm going to brutalize you harder than God thought possible!!!'"
#211 by CheesyPoof
2003-09-25 17:09:10
What does she prescribe for death?
#212 by Bailey
2003-09-25 17:09:52
I take the (insert fixation) insults with pride, giggling at their ignorance.

Strange how you usually only hear this sort of blather from cultists or 18-yr old girls who insist they can get by on their looks alone for the rest of their lives.

bloo

I tend to only meddle or snipe in regions of knowledge where I feel secure. Medication of any kind, particularly that relating to girl parts, is far outside my field.

"That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen."
#213 by mrbloo
2003-09-25 17:17:30
mrbloo2000@hotmail.com
"I'm a lover, Jim, not a doctor!"

#214 by G-Man
2003-09-25 17:33:54
Bailey in #212 said:
I tend to only meddle or snipe in regions of knowledge where I feel secure. Medication of any kind, particularly that relating to girl parts, is far outside my field.
What exactly is your field? Tentacle porn and vodka?
#215 by lwf
2003-09-25 17:36:00
I'd say one the most challenging aspects of my job is thinking of great passwords. Some recent gems include: zugzug, greenrage, mesa32, iloveduck, and shortblack (I felt longblack was inappropriate).

i'd let her suck my dick
#216 by None-1a
2003-09-25 17:45:55
#44 by Caryn
Well, I figured that part out. But why? I don't understand the reasoning. It seems pretty silly to advertize a product when you're not allowed to tell people what it's for.


Becuase if told what it was for people would come in an demand the pill for dipression, adult ADHD, heart burn, or what ever. Or well that was the case, it's not banned any more (and we've seen exactly what was feared happen), but some companies have found it a more effective way to market some pills (usualy for the more embarissing conditions that people really don't want to go in admitting they have). Yes there is that whole having to say the sideeffects, but generaly unless there's a good marketing reason those don't really matter much in the dessision (after all if it's really bad you can just say it faster).
#217 by Marcin
2003-09-25 17:50:44
marcin@wickedtoast.com www.damodred.net
gluten allergy or any of the other trivial shit silly people mewl about

It's not trivial, and I've never heard any other coeliac or dh-sufferer mewl... Well, except in private I suppose, 'cuz it is a bitch sometimes.

It also didn't take me very long to find a series of like-minded doctors (move after move after move) that ushered me in, wrote my prescription out, and got me out within 15 minutes. Since they can't do anything about it (there is no cure), they do the only thing they can (renew my prescription, test blood for anemia) w/o trying to sell me anything, "talk about it" to me, or in any way pretend to know more than they do. Only the first one was somewhat self-inflated, and that was 3 doctors ago *shrug*

They do charge me (er, my insurance that is) a 100 bucks for those 15 minutes and a signature, so THAT part is not so amusing. Oh well.

Dentists, on the other hand, constantly want me to cap two undersized teeth because of 'aesthetics'. Which isn't covered by insurance, and is $800 a pop. It was very difficult not to laugh when presented with the proposal, and even harder when presented with the cost estimate...

I say, is there a Jedi in the house?
#218 by UncleJeet
2003-09-25 17:57:27
Strange how you usually only hear this sort of blather from cultists or 18-yr old girls who insist they can get by on their looks alone for the rest of their lives.


*giggle*

I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
#219 by Squeaky
2003-09-25 18:03:34
#216 None-1a
#44 by Caryn
Well, I figured that part out. But why? I don't understand the reasoning. It seems pretty silly to advertize a product when you're not allowed to tell people what it's for.


Becuase if told what it was for people would come in an demand the pill for dipression, adult ADHD, heart burn, or what ever. Or well that was the case, it's not banned any more (and we've seen exactly what was feared happen), but some companies have found it a more effective way to market some pills (usualy for the more embarissing conditions that people really don't want to go in admitting they have). Yes there is that whole having to say the sideeffects, but generaly unless there's a good marketing reason those don't really matter much in the dessision (after all if it's really bad you can just say it faster).

It's still illegal in Canuckland, as far as I'm aware. But only for prescription medication.

I have lost my way
But I hear a tale
About a heaven in Alberta
Where they've got all hell for a basement
DVDs
#220 by Bailey
2003-09-25 18:11:22
G

What exactly is your field? Tentacle porn and vodka?

I'm a people person. Can't you tell?

"That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen."
#221 by Ashiran
2003-09-25 18:14:43
I'm a people person. Can't you tell?

The question is ofcourse who or what exactly is contained in said "people" collection.

AND DON'T ADD A SMILEY AFTER EVERY GODDAMN THING YOU SAY!
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