Peyronie s disease mobic
PeyroniesSupport
2021.06.27 22:20 Duminance_PSG PeyroniesSupport
This Sub is dedicated to helping sufferers of Peyronie’s disease with active moderation from the Peyronie’s Support Discord server. https://discord.gg/SxsT2uKrnn If you post a photo of yourself please tag post as NSFW
2024.05.19 14:25 AnomalyWon Denied Again
 | I've been in for 9 years. I currently have 10% tinnitus. I have submitted a statement from a personal doctor and chiropractor supporting my claims. I have submitted three buddy statements. submitted by AnomalyWon to VeteransBenefits [link] [comments] I have submitted base medical records dating back to AIT, where I was seen after falling on my right knee carrying 65+ pounds, running. No X-Rays were taken. One of my buddy statements is an eye witness to this initial event. I have MEPS records showing I had healthy arches when I was sworn in. I have a diagnosis from AIT documenting that my arches had already been broken by that point. In my last examination, I was told to stretch as far as I could. I found out later that I was supposed to stop when I felt pain. I am a dumb try hard and naturally went as far as I could but was clearly agitated to say the least. I don't know how these things work. I was in there for maybe 5 minutes, and was asked very few questions. My paper work only shows active duty time from basic to AIT. No other active duty time in my 9 years has been acknowledged. I notified the VA of this and still no change. Most of my pain has been agitated more by wear and tear over 9 years. I am 5'6" and never backed down to a heavy lift. Besides this fall early in my career, and a few complaints throughout the years on medical record, I don't have much to show. All I know is my body hurts, and I'm an otherwise very healthy 27 year old. What can I do? Thank you in advance. |
2024.05.19 14:20 Packsnackbackpack Can I take Sinemet-free weekends?
I’m wondering if anyone only takes Sinemet as needed, and just deals with PD without it when they can.
My MDS doesn’t understand why I’d want to not take it constantly, as he saw my scores go down when I was on 1.5 pills of c/l 3x a day for a month. When I went in for the appointment, I thought he was going to tell me they weren’t working. Yes I could type a little better but I don’t feel on/off periods. I just notice “hey I am a little less shaky when I unload the dishes” or “hey my shoulder is slightly less painful today” There’s never a great surge of relief, I never get my handwriting back, and tbh a stress free day and a good night sleep seems to do the same thing for my PD stiffness. So really, if the results aren’t impactful to me, I don’t see why I should take it all the time?
I went 24 hours without C/L last weekend and didn’t notice any difference. I don’t type on the weekends. So this work week I waited until noon each day when my hand started sucking and took a dose with a little bit of impact to finish up the work day. Seemed fine. Yesterday, I had lunch in the sun with an old friend if not seen in awhile, browsed shops with no agenda alone, and painted when I got home. Felt great.
So like, if it’s a stress free day or I don’t need my fine motor skills, why take it?
MDS said I could stop C/L cold turkey, but when I googled I found warnings saying not to. I’m not thrilled with him in general/there’s no trust there (getting a new one this winter). Anyway, curious if anyone takes as needed or if you’ve heard it’s dangerous to do so.
Specifics re: my general symptoms if needed: I have rigid dominant YOPD with action tremor that’s worse with cold/big feelings. My main issues are tremor when texting/unloading the dishes, slow typing, and reduced mobility and moderate pain in my affected hand/arm/shouldeneck (right/dominant). Toe taps are slow and fatigue makes me feel the PD in my leg but no gait issues yet. Possibly related to something else, or possible that the disease is moving along a little quickly: both hands always have sore joints and feel swollen, and I have nerve pain down the backs of both legs/feet. Yes I had an abnormal DATscan.
Thanks!
submitted by Packsnackbackpack to Parkinsons [link] [comments]
My MDS doesn’t understand why I’d want to not take it constantly, as he saw my scores go down when I was on 1.5 pills of c/l 3x a day for a month. When I went in for the appointment, I thought he was going to tell me they weren’t working. Yes I could type a little better but I don’t feel on/off periods. I just notice “hey I am a little less shaky when I unload the dishes” or “hey my shoulder is slightly less painful today” There’s never a great surge of relief, I never get my handwriting back, and tbh a stress free day and a good night sleep seems to do the same thing for my PD stiffness. So really, if the results aren’t impactful to me, I don’t see why I should take it all the time?
I went 24 hours without C/L last weekend and didn’t notice any difference. I don’t type on the weekends. So this work week I waited until noon each day when my hand started sucking and took a dose with a little bit of impact to finish up the work day. Seemed fine. Yesterday, I had lunch in the sun with an old friend if not seen in awhile, browsed shops with no agenda alone, and painted when I got home. Felt great.
So like, if it’s a stress free day or I don’t need my fine motor skills, why take it?
MDS said I could stop C/L cold turkey, but when I googled I found warnings saying not to. I’m not thrilled with him in general/there’s no trust there (getting a new one this winter). Anyway, curious if anyone takes as needed or if you’ve heard it’s dangerous to do so.
Specifics re: my general symptoms if needed: I have rigid dominant YOPD with action tremor that’s worse with cold/big feelings. My main issues are tremor when texting/unloading the dishes, slow typing, and reduced mobility and moderate pain in my affected hand/arm/shouldeneck (right/dominant). Toe taps are slow and fatigue makes me feel the PD in my leg but no gait issues yet. Possibly related to something else, or possible that the disease is moving along a little quickly: both hands always have sore joints and feel swollen, and I have nerve pain down the backs of both legs/feet. Yes I had an abnormal DATscan.
Thanks!
2024.05.19 14:05 Content_Librarian_66 IV Endaravone Radicava…worth the time?
Hi, was wondering if it’s really worth it. The amount of time it takes (14 days first month and then 10 days for all the following months), the pokes and pains of bad lines. I know it’s just about 4-6 hours out of the day (meds and traveling)but the more I read about the medication…it just says it‘ll extend your life by 6months and so. So is it counter intuitive for me to be staying in the hospital for that extended amount of time when I should be just using that time to “live”. I am grateful to have any sort of treatment for this horrible disease but I guess I just want to to hear someone say “it’s worth it!” , “I feel it did slow down my progression”. I understand everyone’s outcome and effect is different on this medication so I really wanted to hear everyone’s experiences (the good bad and ugly!) I’m sorry about the rant, it’s been a hard week.
Just a bit about my history is I was diagnosed Dec 2023 with SOD1 with symptoms starting late 2021. I’m currently getting Tofersen and Riluzole. Left leg is weak and walking with a limp. And my insurance won’t cover the oral formula but will cover the IV one.
Thanks for reading and wishing you all good health!
submitted by Content_Librarian_66 to ALS [link] [comments]
Just a bit about my history is I was diagnosed Dec 2023 with SOD1 with symptoms starting late 2021. I’m currently getting Tofersen and Riluzole. Left leg is weak and walking with a limp. And my insurance won’t cover the oral formula but will cover the IV one.
Thanks for reading and wishing you all good health!
2024.05.19 13:47 Mon_Calf Anyone else diagnosed with Celiac AND Oral Lichen Planus?
I was diagnosed with Celiac a few years ago. Shortly after, at a dental exam, I had a white-ish red patch on my gum that was biopsied and confirmed as Oral Lichen Planus. The oral surgeon said there’s a correlation between Celiac and this other auto-immune disease. Curious if anyone else is in the same boat.
submitted by Mon_Calf to Celiac [link] [comments]
2024.05.19 13:30 Teach8870 15 year old dog is suddenly acting dizzy and wobbly
Dog, 15 years, Jack Russell Terrier, Male, 17 pounds
Has kidney issues and is on a prescription diet which seems to help. Takes gabapentin 25mg every 12 hours for leg shakiness and arthritis pain. It has sensed to work well for him. He had a Lyme disease diagnosis a couple years ago and took antibiotics for 28 days.
He has been acting normal lately with minimal issues up until yesterday. Before, he had a pretty good appetite and had no issues with walking or jumping. He does sleep a lot and have bad teeth, but the vet and I discussed the risk of anesthesia at his age and decided it was best not to worry about his teeth.
Yesterday, he was fairly normal in the morning, but things got worse as the day went on. He went out to use the bathroom in the morning and ate a little breakfast as usual. Later in the evening, I noticed he wouldn’t get up from where he was laying. I picked him up to carry him outside and he immediately sat down, which is very unusual. He wouldn’t budge. I brought him back inside to try to feed him, and he wouldn’t eat anything. This isn’t that unusual because his appetite isn’t always on schedule and he sometimes eats later in the evening. However, he wouldn’t eat anything at all when I tried, including his absolute favorite treats. I just assumed his stomach was hurting because that happens sometimes.
A little later I try to take him out again, and when I place him on the ground, he immediately falls forward. I pick him up and he is swaying and very wobbly. His eyes also look strange - kinda blank. For the rest of the evening he doesn’t eat and doesn’t move much. I forced the gabapentin and he did drink a bunch of water.
Into the night, he woke up and I took him outside. He walked some and was still very shaky and off balance, but he didn’t fall. He tried to poop and looked like he struggled because of his balance. I noticed he did manage a small amount and it was diarrhea. He would squat and strain and nothing would come out. Also, he would struggle to hold himself in the squat position for too long. His back legs seemed hard to bend. This happened again later in the night as well and he drank a bunch more water.
This morning he is still just laying in his bed. He won’t eat. He isn’t panting or anything, and his head isn’t tilted down (I read about old dog syndrome online when checking symptoms).
I tried to think if anything weird had happened to cause a concussion. I remembered opening the bathroom cabinet and it hitting his head. He walked into it as I was swinging it open. This probably happened around 2 in the afternoon or so. I don’t think the impact was hard enough to cause a concussion, but I’m unsure because he did shake his head after it happened.
So I’m not sure if it’s a concussion or stroke or something different.
I know that it won’t be long before I have to make the choice to euthanize. I’ve known this for about a year now and have just been carefully watching his behavior and assessing his quality of life.
Is it time to do it now?
submitted by Teach8870 to AskVet [link] [comments]
Has kidney issues and is on a prescription diet which seems to help. Takes gabapentin 25mg every 12 hours for leg shakiness and arthritis pain. It has sensed to work well for him. He had a Lyme disease diagnosis a couple years ago and took antibiotics for 28 days.
He has been acting normal lately with minimal issues up until yesterday. Before, he had a pretty good appetite and had no issues with walking or jumping. He does sleep a lot and have bad teeth, but the vet and I discussed the risk of anesthesia at his age and decided it was best not to worry about his teeth.
Yesterday, he was fairly normal in the morning, but things got worse as the day went on. He went out to use the bathroom in the morning and ate a little breakfast as usual. Later in the evening, I noticed he wouldn’t get up from where he was laying. I picked him up to carry him outside and he immediately sat down, which is very unusual. He wouldn’t budge. I brought him back inside to try to feed him, and he wouldn’t eat anything. This isn’t that unusual because his appetite isn’t always on schedule and he sometimes eats later in the evening. However, he wouldn’t eat anything at all when I tried, including his absolute favorite treats. I just assumed his stomach was hurting because that happens sometimes.
A little later I try to take him out again, and when I place him on the ground, he immediately falls forward. I pick him up and he is swaying and very wobbly. His eyes also look strange - kinda blank. For the rest of the evening he doesn’t eat and doesn’t move much. I forced the gabapentin and he did drink a bunch of water.
Into the night, he woke up and I took him outside. He walked some and was still very shaky and off balance, but he didn’t fall. He tried to poop and looked like he struggled because of his balance. I noticed he did manage a small amount and it was diarrhea. He would squat and strain and nothing would come out. Also, he would struggle to hold himself in the squat position for too long. His back legs seemed hard to bend. This happened again later in the night as well and he drank a bunch more water.
This morning he is still just laying in his bed. He won’t eat. He isn’t panting or anything, and his head isn’t tilted down (I read about old dog syndrome online when checking symptoms).
I tried to think if anything weird had happened to cause a concussion. I remembered opening the bathroom cabinet and it hitting his head. He walked into it as I was swinging it open. This probably happened around 2 in the afternoon or so. I don’t think the impact was hard enough to cause a concussion, but I’m unsure because he did shake his head after it happened.
So I’m not sure if it’s a concussion or stroke or something different.
I know that it won’t be long before I have to make the choice to euthanize. I’ve known this for about a year now and have just been carefully watching his behavior and assessing his quality of life.
Is it time to do it now?
2024.05.19 13:20 prabpharm How to input natural history probabilities in the Markov Trace, is it even really required?
 | I am practicing cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and received a test problem from a senior. The task is to determine deterministic base case ICER. All essential information and model inputs are supplied, and I don’t see much of a challenge except for the following. The problem provided both natural history (yearly probabilities) as well as the transition probabilities with the comparator drugs (please refer to the attached image). I am not sure what should I do with the natural history probabilities, do I really need to take these into calculations? If yes, how? I rather think that when the transition probabilities are already provided, there is no need to take natural history probabilities into calculations. Can you please help me figure this out? Also, importantly, please help me understand the application of natural history probabilities in CEA apart from modeling the disease and choosing health states? submitted by prabpharm to HealthEconomics [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/y8ob46ucad1d1.png?width=661&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c3fcbaf4dfc82e2d998a316cb2c73b9eac3fdab https://preview.redd.it/i7hec6ucad1d1.png?width=583&format=png&auto=webp&s=07f0fb76ac1238253a49f483f99ee9c073d94c65 |
2024.05.19 13:09 wanbincell Confronting the Cancer Care Plight: Using First Principles to Navigate Your Cancer Journey
[Preface]()
As we journey through life, the specter of cancer looms large, presenting a formidable challenge that many of us may eventually face. When confronted with cancer, our priorities shift dramatically, with life itself swiftly rising to the forefront of our concerns, relegating all else to the background. Our immediate focus narrows to combating this disease. While many adhere strictly to their doctor’s recommendations, selecting treatments reputed for their efficacy and cost-effectiveness, this path is not the sole option. It is crucial to recognize that, although contemporary cancer treatments might appear limited, this does not necessarily reflect on the reliability of medical advice. On the contrary, I believe the reason for the inadequacy in cancer treatment levels is that the entire cancer treatment system does not aim to address the fundamental issues of cancer.Globally, the data reveals a startling uniformity in cancer treatment technologies across various age groups and nations, suggesting that advancements in systems, economies, and technologies have not significantly enhanced the value delivered to cancer patients. Moreover, there is a pervasive trend of overtreatment within the healthcare system dedicated to cancer care. Standardized clinical guidelines, while providing uniform treatment options, restrict the choices available to both physicians and patients, diminishing the patients' involvement in their own treatment decisions. Consequently, the treatment plans prescribed, though based on these guidelines, may not always align with the patients' long-term interests, particularly in terms of sustaining a quality life. Furthermore, the emphasis on early detection and treatment can also act as a catalyst for overtreatment.
Facing the cancer care plight, as a cancer patient, wouldn't you want to reclaim your voice and break free from this predicament?
Inspired by SpaceX’s revolutionary approach to rocket launch technology, which utilizes reusable components for enhanced cost-effectiveness, we can adopt a similar mindset in cancer care. This approach, known as first principles thinking, championed by Elon Musk, challenges us to discard conventional dependencies on analogies, precedents, and conventional wisdom. Instead, it involves deconstructing complex concepts, problems, or beliefs to their most fundamental components and rigorously examining the core of the issues.
Our lives are governed by various principles, shaped by our values, perceptions, belief systems, and reasoning methods. These principles influence our opinions and allow our brains to employ previously learned conclusions as shortcuts in thinking. Often, we adhere to these principles without questioning their foundational assumptions. While these principles may have been valid at their inception, questioning their relevance today necessitates that we overturn outdated theories and forge new realities for ourselves.
First principles thinking encourages us to embrace a new mindset, recognizing when traditional methods become obsolete. This shift in thinking eschews conventional wisdom, cuts through dogma, and challenges our own beliefs. While first principles thinking and traditional reductionism both emphasize deconstructing problems into their elemental parts, they differ in their applications and impacts. First principles thinking focuses on controlled, thoughtful examination at a foundational level, whereas reductionism often reduces problems to a microscopic scale. This distinction allows first principles thinking to provide more profound and innovative solutions to complex issues like cancer treatment, enabling us not only to better understand the nature of cancer but potentially to uncover more effective treatments.
In the realm of modern medicine, which often remains entrenched in a reductionist approach, applying first principles thinking is crucial. For cancer, this means thinking at the cellular rather than the molecular level, which is often the focus of cutting-edge research in molecular biology or genetics. By reevaluating the causes and processes of cancer through first principles and developing treatment strategies at the cellular level, we can utilize mathematical models to ensure logical completeness and accuracy, provided the input data and model settings are correct.
In this book, I introduce a life model that simplifies life into a mathematical framework, helping us pinpoint the primary factors and processes impacting life. By applying the life model, we can perceive cancer as a manifestation of aging, encapsulating the essence and treatment methods of the disease. I believe the life model exemplifies a precise application of first principles in disease management.
We address cancer using a first principles approach, following a structured process: identifying the issue, breaking it down, analyzing its fundamental components, reassembling the information, and using life models as tools for reasoning. We've further developed a cancer model consistent with these principles, leading us to the best strategies for combating cancer—a comprehensive framework for evaluating cancer therapies. Our optimal cancer treatment plan includes combinations or legal variations of approved therapies, in compliance with existing medical regulations. We discuss experimental treatments only in the context of potential future advancements in cancer care. Through this book, I aim to encourage cancer patients to actively engage in their treatment decisions and assist them in making the best choices under current conditions.
2024.05.19 12:57 Upbeat-Disaster Finally a diagnosis - advice and tips appreciated
So, a few days ago I made a post about finally feeling validated (https://www.reddit.com/ChronicPain/s/OnkDVPyH3J)
2 days ago the doctor I went to gave me a call after looking through my exams results and I finally have a diagnosis.
The cause of all my symptoms for years is fibromyalgia, he also said I have low vitamin D and prescribed some and said to get in contact on 6 months to check the vitamin D levels again, but if I need something to contact earlier.
He said the the good news is that it not a degenerative disease and the bad news is that it's not well understood so no cure and has far as meds go it will be trial and error.
He said he'd prefer that I try natural copping mechanisms for now but he's available to work a treatment plan with meds...
He said for now to try and exercise and lose some weight (a bit overweight and high cholesterol), but to do it slowly because he knows loosing weight is not easy...
So, any advice on starting exercises when you're in pain? Any advice or tips to manage it before resorting to meds?
Thanks in advance
submitted by Upbeat-Disaster to ChronicPain [link] [comments]
2 days ago the doctor I went to gave me a call after looking through my exams results and I finally have a diagnosis.
The cause of all my symptoms for years is fibromyalgia, he also said I have low vitamin D and prescribed some and said to get in contact on 6 months to check the vitamin D levels again, but if I need something to contact earlier.
He said the the good news is that it not a degenerative disease and the bad news is that it's not well understood so no cure and has far as meds go it will be trial and error.
He said he'd prefer that I try natural copping mechanisms for now but he's available to work a treatment plan with meds...
He said for now to try and exercise and lose some weight (a bit overweight and high cholesterol), but to do it slowly because he knows loosing weight is not easy...
So, any advice on starting exercises when you're in pain? Any advice or tips to manage it before resorting to meds?
Thanks in advance
2024.05.19 12:50 Hydlen At my limit with being an ugly neurotic freak who’s never dated
21 and never dated anyone.
Literally it’s so bad. It’s not like I’ve had flings and nothings gotten serious. There’s been like literally close to zero signs of interest from anyone. I try to think back on the few crumbs of positive attention I’ve gotten to make myself feel better but in reality I know the truth and it’s pretty bleak.
I’m genuinely so embarrassed and humiliated. I can’t even take solace in having friends. EVERY group of people I meet, the conversation of sex/dating comes up and it’s pretty obvious I’m completely inexperienced. A few times I’ve lied, I’m horrible at it. Mostly I tell the truth and it goes pretty bad but I feel better about myself not lying. But it’s impossible to feel dignified amongst friends at this point. It’s a nightmare that’s never ended. I remember being in 8th grade getting shit from my buddies because no girls liked me and thinking it’ll all be over soon. I’ll grow up taller and handsome like my dad and more confident. And here I am. If people somehow get the idea I’m a misogynistic incel type I’ll be so mad cause at this point cause I hate men so much for the perpetual dick measuring contest that seemingly goes on in every male friend group. Also it’s so brutal every time I hang out and there’s girls around. Sex and dating is all people talk about.
My parents don’t understand at all. My mom was a pretty popular blonde and my dad was a football player who literally got scouted to do modeling a few times. They just give me the most basic moronically obvious advice ever. And at this point they seem really disappointed in me for not bringing a girl home yet.
I’m genuinely super fucking ugly even after doing a shit ton to work on it. I have perpetually horrible hair. I have a huge bulbous forehead, every friend I’ve had eventually comments on it. One plastic surgeon I consulted said it could be benign familial macrocephaly? Not that I could afford a procedure anyways. I try to cover it up with a fringe but my hair looks horrible. It’s super fine and straight and lacks any texture. My “midface” is sunken also: weak cheekbones. I was diagnosed with maxillary hypoplasia and maxillary vertical hypoplasia. Basically a midface (bones between upper teeth and eyes) that didn’t grow outwards nor downwards enough resulting in poor tooth show, weak bone structure, premature aged look, and a severe underbite. I had double jaw surgery covered by insurance. It was a marginal improvement at best. My underbite was fixed, my cheekbones remained sunken because the surgery doesn’t fix that unless you pay extra for implants that often look bad anyways, and my surgeon utterly failed to bring down my upper jaw enough to reveal my teeth. Since the surgery did fix the functional problems with my face (underbite) and only failed cosmetically, I’d have to pay full price out of pocket for a revision. I’ve also worked out a lot, never got super big but I have a small frame anyways, but I’ve been quite lean and in shape with visible abs. I’ve done a shit ton skincare wise and finally at a point with minimal acne but still shitty skin overall. I’ve also tried a bunch of hair styles and have decent style I think.
I’ve been quite social. I had a ton of friend groups in high school. In college my social life has died down because of my reduced confidence but I still try. I’ve join ed 4 different clubs. I talk to people in my classes and often make a group me for each class and arrange study groups. I use to go to bars until recently. Some guy called me an ugly motherfucker and started cackling and I went home drunk and started slicing my arm. Same thing happened after I was at a party and some girl at a party literally blurted ew when she asked my group of friends to introduce ourselves and it was my turn to speak. I had a good outfit on, my hair looked it’s best, all futile I guess. I just hate myself so much since I guess I must be so disgusting somehow. So I don’t go out much recently now, due to that among other bad experiences. I’ve done the apps with horrible results. I can’t say I blame people much. I don’t think I could be attracted to someone as ugly as me and I can’t help it.
It’s so embarrassing having family ask about my dating life and I have to make up some bullshit. I’m really at my limit. I know I’m neurotic but I’ve really done the work in tons of therapy and lifestyle changes. I don’t have a disease. I feel horrible because I haven’t felt dignified amongst my peers since middle school and I haven’t been remotely close to a fulfilling relationship. I just want someone to actually care and show an interest in me and ask about my day. Someone to watch movies with and cuddle.
My academic focus has been entirely premed. I’m nearing the end of college. When I inevitably get into a med school I don’t feel like I can actually go and have my parents pay for some of it feeling that I’ll be gone soon anyways. One time in HS I got humiliated so bad I drank liquor and took Xanax to end it only to pass out. I’ve been regretting my lack of commitment ever since. If I can pull through maybe I’ll do emergency medicine with the short residency, join Doctors Without Borders and get blown up in some war zone.
submitted by Hydlen to TrueOffMyChest [link] [comments]
Literally it’s so bad. It’s not like I’ve had flings and nothings gotten serious. There’s been like literally close to zero signs of interest from anyone. I try to think back on the few crumbs of positive attention I’ve gotten to make myself feel better but in reality I know the truth and it’s pretty bleak.
I’m genuinely so embarrassed and humiliated. I can’t even take solace in having friends. EVERY group of people I meet, the conversation of sex/dating comes up and it’s pretty obvious I’m completely inexperienced. A few times I’ve lied, I’m horrible at it. Mostly I tell the truth and it goes pretty bad but I feel better about myself not lying. But it’s impossible to feel dignified amongst friends at this point. It’s a nightmare that’s never ended. I remember being in 8th grade getting shit from my buddies because no girls liked me and thinking it’ll all be over soon. I’ll grow up taller and handsome like my dad and more confident. And here I am. If people somehow get the idea I’m a misogynistic incel type I’ll be so mad cause at this point cause I hate men so much for the perpetual dick measuring contest that seemingly goes on in every male friend group. Also it’s so brutal every time I hang out and there’s girls around. Sex and dating is all people talk about.
My parents don’t understand at all. My mom was a pretty popular blonde and my dad was a football player who literally got scouted to do modeling a few times. They just give me the most basic moronically obvious advice ever. And at this point they seem really disappointed in me for not bringing a girl home yet.
I’m genuinely super fucking ugly even after doing a shit ton to work on it. I have perpetually horrible hair. I have a huge bulbous forehead, every friend I’ve had eventually comments on it. One plastic surgeon I consulted said it could be benign familial macrocephaly? Not that I could afford a procedure anyways. I try to cover it up with a fringe but my hair looks horrible. It’s super fine and straight and lacks any texture. My “midface” is sunken also: weak cheekbones. I was diagnosed with maxillary hypoplasia and maxillary vertical hypoplasia. Basically a midface (bones between upper teeth and eyes) that didn’t grow outwards nor downwards enough resulting in poor tooth show, weak bone structure, premature aged look, and a severe underbite. I had double jaw surgery covered by insurance. It was a marginal improvement at best. My underbite was fixed, my cheekbones remained sunken because the surgery doesn’t fix that unless you pay extra for implants that often look bad anyways, and my surgeon utterly failed to bring down my upper jaw enough to reveal my teeth. Since the surgery did fix the functional problems with my face (underbite) and only failed cosmetically, I’d have to pay full price out of pocket for a revision. I’ve also worked out a lot, never got super big but I have a small frame anyways, but I’ve been quite lean and in shape with visible abs. I’ve done a shit ton skincare wise and finally at a point with minimal acne but still shitty skin overall. I’ve also tried a bunch of hair styles and have decent style I think.
I’ve been quite social. I had a ton of friend groups in high school. In college my social life has died down because of my reduced confidence but I still try. I’ve join ed 4 different clubs. I talk to people in my classes and often make a group me for each class and arrange study groups. I use to go to bars until recently. Some guy called me an ugly motherfucker and started cackling and I went home drunk and started slicing my arm. Same thing happened after I was at a party and some girl at a party literally blurted ew when she asked my group of friends to introduce ourselves and it was my turn to speak. I had a good outfit on, my hair looked it’s best, all futile I guess. I just hate myself so much since I guess I must be so disgusting somehow. So I don’t go out much recently now, due to that among other bad experiences. I’ve done the apps with horrible results. I can’t say I blame people much. I don’t think I could be attracted to someone as ugly as me and I can’t help it.
It’s so embarrassing having family ask about my dating life and I have to make up some bullshit. I’m really at my limit. I know I’m neurotic but I’ve really done the work in tons of therapy and lifestyle changes. I don’t have a disease. I feel horrible because I haven’t felt dignified amongst my peers since middle school and I haven’t been remotely close to a fulfilling relationship. I just want someone to actually care and show an interest in me and ask about my day. Someone to watch movies with and cuddle.
My academic focus has been entirely premed. I’m nearing the end of college. When I inevitably get into a med school I don’t feel like I can actually go and have my parents pay for some of it feeling that I’ll be gone soon anyways. One time in HS I got humiliated so bad I drank liquor and took Xanax to end it only to pass out. I’ve been regretting my lack of commitment ever since. If I can pull through maybe I’ll do emergency medicine with the short residency, join Doctors Without Borders and get blown up in some war zone.
2024.05.19 12:45 EnazYesup02 Need help identifying this citrus disease
 | I’m working on a project for my horticulture course and am struggling to figure out what this issue is on this citrus we have, my best guess is that it’s some sort of fungal/bacterial disease, but it’s hard differentiating between similar diseases from cross referencing on the internet. submitted by EnazYesup02 to plant [link] [comments] |
2024.05.19 12:43 EnazYesup02 Need help identifying disease
 | I’m working on a project for my horticulture course and am struggling to figure out what this issue is on this citrus we have, my best guess is that it’s some sort of fungal/bacterial disease, but it’s hard differentiating between similar diseases from cross referencing on the internet. submitted by EnazYesup02 to Citrus [link] [comments] |
2024.05.19 12:42 EnazYesup02 Disease on Citrus
 | I’m working on a project for my horticulture course and am struggling to figure out what this issue is on this citrus we have, my best guess is that it’s some sort of fungal/bacterial disease, but it’s hard differentiating between similar diseases from cross referencing on the internet. submitted by EnazYesup02 to FruitTree [link] [comments] |
2024.05.19 12:35 East_Creme317 Health anxiety causes new symptoms everyday
Hello I (19 female) have been having the worst health anxiety episode for the past month. Back in October I started twitching in random places and had anxiety about it for a whole month. Afterwards I guess I just forgot about it or therapy helped because until mid April, I dont remember being worried about my twitches even once. Then, around a month ago, I paid attention to my twitches once again and they came back in full force. I spent 2 and a half weeks worrying about them before i got some bloodwork done back to back and got back weird results.
My lymphocytes were mildly elevated while my neutrophils were below normal, my left tonsil was also slightly swollen. The interesting part was that my two liver enzymes, ast and alt were slightly elevated too. Since I’m the unluckiest mf to walk this earth I got sent to a rly (maybe a bit overly) cautious internist afterwards, who told me to avoid any meds, canned drinks and alcohol at all costs until my next blood test. Also mind you, shes the third doctor I’ve spoken to about my twitches and all of them immediately disregarded them, including her.
I get another test done a week later, alt and ast are even higher this time. I start spiraling to a point where my allergy related itches nearly make me have a panic attack thinking I had liver failure. I book a liver ultrasound, comes back completely clear. Consult the same internist again, she mentions the possibility of autoimmune diseases. I lose my mind and spend the next few days losing my mind. Get another blood test done 3 days later and finally, my liver enzymes come back lower and seem to be going back to normal.
So what’s the problem, right? Well. Throughout this whole process, ever since April 20th I’ve been having anxiety induced symptoms. The twitching was at some point combined with a sizzling sensation in my thighs that only went away when my itches started, the itching went away and I suddenly began fearing muscle weakness even though there was no reason for me to think I had muscle weakness. I only walk and dont rly work out so my muscles arent in the best shape, despite all that i suddenly decide that its a good idea to squat a whole bunch, kneel even more, do planks, fire hydrants and then dance for a full hour in a single day so now my healthy muscles are actually tired. Now I’m worried about my muscles being tired even though I was the one that tired them out but ohhh what if they were tired before, right? 2 days ago after my liver enzymes seemed to have begun decreasing, I ruled out the possibility of something being wrong with my liver so first I started worrying about my bruises(i have very very pale and thin skin and get bruises all the time). Then I got all jittery and started kind of trembling(?) internally as if I was cold. My twitches are almost completely gone btw now that I stopped worrying about them. I now have this buzzing sensation all over my body. No twitches, kinda feels like when youre cold and you get all jittery when you yawn and stuff. I have no clue if this is anxiety or I actually have a rare muscle disease. I also feel very frustrated because I diagnosed myself with acute liver failure, cirrhosis, leukemia and a bunch of autoimmune diseases within a single week. Honestly I dont know why Im so scared of dying at this point because it is so exhausting to exist.
submitted by East_Creme317 to Anxiety [link] [comments]
My lymphocytes were mildly elevated while my neutrophils were below normal, my left tonsil was also slightly swollen. The interesting part was that my two liver enzymes, ast and alt were slightly elevated too. Since I’m the unluckiest mf to walk this earth I got sent to a rly (maybe a bit overly) cautious internist afterwards, who told me to avoid any meds, canned drinks and alcohol at all costs until my next blood test. Also mind you, shes the third doctor I’ve spoken to about my twitches and all of them immediately disregarded them, including her.
I get another test done a week later, alt and ast are even higher this time. I start spiraling to a point where my allergy related itches nearly make me have a panic attack thinking I had liver failure. I book a liver ultrasound, comes back completely clear. Consult the same internist again, she mentions the possibility of autoimmune diseases. I lose my mind and spend the next few days losing my mind. Get another blood test done 3 days later and finally, my liver enzymes come back lower and seem to be going back to normal.
So what’s the problem, right? Well. Throughout this whole process, ever since April 20th I’ve been having anxiety induced symptoms. The twitching was at some point combined with a sizzling sensation in my thighs that only went away when my itches started, the itching went away and I suddenly began fearing muscle weakness even though there was no reason for me to think I had muscle weakness. I only walk and dont rly work out so my muscles arent in the best shape, despite all that i suddenly decide that its a good idea to squat a whole bunch, kneel even more, do planks, fire hydrants and then dance for a full hour in a single day so now my healthy muscles are actually tired. Now I’m worried about my muscles being tired even though I was the one that tired them out but ohhh what if they were tired before, right? 2 days ago after my liver enzymes seemed to have begun decreasing, I ruled out the possibility of something being wrong with my liver so first I started worrying about my bruises(i have very very pale and thin skin and get bruises all the time). Then I got all jittery and started kind of trembling(?) internally as if I was cold. My twitches are almost completely gone btw now that I stopped worrying about them. I now have this buzzing sensation all over my body. No twitches, kinda feels like when youre cold and you get all jittery when you yawn and stuff. I have no clue if this is anxiety or I actually have a rare muscle disease. I also feel very frustrated because I diagnosed myself with acute liver failure, cirrhosis, leukemia and a bunch of autoimmune diseases within a single week. Honestly I dont know why Im so scared of dying at this point because it is so exhausting to exist.
2024.05.19 12:34 lesserhyuman Nothing ear (2), Nothing ear (a) or Soundcore liberty 4 nc
My link buds S finally caught "battery drain disease" after 1 year of usage. Im looking at nothing ear (2), nothing ear (a) and soundcore liberty 4 nc for replacement. While nothing ear (a) is relative new, how about nothing ear (2) and liberty 4 nc after year of usage? Does it get buggy overtime (i read nothing ear 2 connectivity is quite buggy overtine) and hows the battery lifespan? I would like to hear ur recommendations and inputs between those 3 Thanks
submitted by lesserhyuman to Earbuds [link] [comments]
2024.05.19 12:29 worldwonderer16 Thyroid Newbie - symptoms, blood results & FNA
Hi all! I’m a newbie to the world of thyroid issues. I’ve been reading a lot of posts to get more of an understanding - but I’m really hoping to share my journey to see if anyone else has been in a similar boat (excuse the essay)
I got covid in November last year for the second time. Everything was fine, then at the very end of the week of it I got a feeling of pressure in my chest that lasted for 24 hours. I had an ecg done and cardiac markers tested and nothing.
This feeling would come and go. At the time I had my thyroid tested after a previous high TSH over 1.5 years prior - but it came back normal.
The last 6 months has been a series of blood tests & questioning whether I just have anxiety. I got tested for celiac which one marker came back slightly positive, had an endoscopy - it was negative. The dr told me my results could be from inflammation in my body but didn’t bother to keep insisting on finding where it’s coming from.
Fast forward to the last few weeks I’ve since seen a new dr who’s amazing. And found some new interesting results: • TSH: 12.6 (3x the range) • TPO antibodies: positive - came back as 84 • ANA serology: 1:640 Titre (was 1:320 a few months ago but has increased). • moderately suspicious nodule on my thyroid - just had an FNA doctor explained it was calcified.
Now I’m going to a rheumatologist in 5 weeks to figure out whether I have an autoimmune disease causing my autoimmune thyroiditis, and also trying to determine whether it’s just hashimotos.
These are my current symptoms - •dull ache in my left side under rib cage when I lie down at night • increased acne •hair thinning around hairline and dry hair • chest pain on left side almost under armpit on side of chest. • fatigue - can sleep 8 hours and feel unrested/struggling to open my eyes in the morning. • joint aches and body aches especially when I’m inactive all day. • frequent brain fog • previous insomnia - now better thanks to magnesium • itchy dry skin • intensified TMJ jaw pain, had Botox but it’s still there
There’s been other stuff but those are the most obvious. I’ve been reading loads of posts like I said and it’s been great to see the community that exists online providing support. Just wanted to share my journey so far.
submitted by worldwonderer16 to Hashimotos [link] [comments]
I got covid in November last year for the second time. Everything was fine, then at the very end of the week of it I got a feeling of pressure in my chest that lasted for 24 hours. I had an ecg done and cardiac markers tested and nothing.
This feeling would come and go. At the time I had my thyroid tested after a previous high TSH over 1.5 years prior - but it came back normal.
The last 6 months has been a series of blood tests & questioning whether I just have anxiety. I got tested for celiac which one marker came back slightly positive, had an endoscopy - it was negative. The dr told me my results could be from inflammation in my body but didn’t bother to keep insisting on finding where it’s coming from.
Fast forward to the last few weeks I’ve since seen a new dr who’s amazing. And found some new interesting results: • TSH: 12.6 (3x the range) • TPO antibodies: positive - came back as 84 • ANA serology: 1:640 Titre (was 1:320 a few months ago but has increased). • moderately suspicious nodule on my thyroid - just had an FNA doctor explained it was calcified.
Now I’m going to a rheumatologist in 5 weeks to figure out whether I have an autoimmune disease causing my autoimmune thyroiditis, and also trying to determine whether it’s just hashimotos.
These are my current symptoms - •dull ache in my left side under rib cage when I lie down at night • increased acne •hair thinning around hairline and dry hair • chest pain on left side almost under armpit on side of chest. • fatigue - can sleep 8 hours and feel unrested/struggling to open my eyes in the morning. • joint aches and body aches especially when I’m inactive all day. • frequent brain fog • previous insomnia - now better thanks to magnesium • itchy dry skin • intensified TMJ jaw pain, had Botox but it’s still there
There’s been other stuff but those are the most obvious. I’ve been reading loads of posts like I said and it’s been great to see the community that exists online providing support. Just wanted to share my journey so far.
2024.05.19 12:21 LastWeekInCollapse Last Week in Collapse: May 12-18, 2024
Record temperatures, record migration, record emissions, record displacement, record PFAS……start building an ark.
Last Week in Collapse: May 12-18, 2024
This is Last Week in Collapse, a weekly newsletter compiling some of the most important, timely, useful, soul-crushing, ironic, stunning, exhausting, or otherwise must-see/can’t-look-away moments in Collapse.
This is the 125th newsletter! You can find the May 5-11 edition here if you missed it last week. You can also receive these posts (with images) every Sunday in your email inbox with Substack.
——————————
Flash flooding in northern Afghanistan killed 300+ people and destroyed 1,000+ homes. Hundreds of thousands of others have been affected. Last month, similar floods in the region killed 70+. Four died in Texas storms last week as well.
Venezuela is suffering from record wildfires, which so far this year have burned about 5M acres—almost the size of Sardinia. Some experts think indigenous people started the blaze as an attempt at forest clearance, which quickly got out of hand. “Institutional failures” compounded the disaster when the ailing government responded with an inadequate number of poorly equipped firefighters. Another study from last week examined the impact of wildfires on soil health.
Flooding and “cold lava” killed 50+ in Indonesia, injuring dozens and displacing several thousand. Cold lava is a mixture of water and rocks tumbling down the side of a volcano. Meanwhile, an actual volcano erupted in Indonesia, sending smoke & ash 5000m high; further eruptions are possible soon.
The Swiss Re Institute published a 37-page report last week about natural disasters in 2023—and how much damage, in USD, they caused. The largest catastrophe was the February 7.8 earthquake in Türkiye & Syria, which killed 59,000+ people and caused $163B+ in damage. The report is full of interesting graphics & data about natural disasters.
France is growing more concerned about a dam on Lake Geneva, controlled exclusively by Switzerland. The Rhône River, which begins in Switzerland and flows south through France, is shrinking in summers as climate change melts Switzerland’s remaining glaciers.
The Tonlé San River has been dammed in Vietnam, lowering the level in Cambodia and sometimes drying the river downstream entirely. Meanwhile, China’s lychee harvest is getting blasted by rain, impacting the world’s largest source of lychee. And, once again, Saudi Arabia is suffering flooding in its inland regions. 7 dead in historic flooding in Iran.
The eminent climate scientist James Hansen posted that, since “human-made aerosols and their cooling effect are in decline,” the cooling effect of La Niña will be counterbalanced by these rising temperatures. He also identifies a “large anomaly of increased absorbed solar radiation at midlatitudes in the Northern Hemisphere” responsible for rising temperatures there. CO2 levels are rising faster today than they have at any point in the previous 50,000 years…and a study of millennia-old trees determined last summer was the hottest worldwide in 2,000+ years…
Record nighttime May temperatures were tied in the Philippines and Vietnam. A couple Indonesian cities broke records for May temperatures. And a number of southern African states saw more records drop. And Toronto saw a record tied for the number of days reaching 14 °C (57 °F). A heat wave has returned to Bangladesh. Flooding in Cali (pop: 2.9M), Colombia.
The University of Washington was ordered to stop a geoengineering project that scientists sere conducting from the deck of a decommissioned aircraft carrier. The experiment ejected aerosolized saltwater in an attempt to reflect solar radiation. A comparative study in Nature Communications of a number of carbon pricing found that, yes, carbon pricing does work to reduce the total CO2 emitted.
It’s that time of the year again. Wildfires in Canada grow, some of which are moving towards the tar sands—forcing thousands to evacuate. 39 of the total nation’s blazes are “out of control,” resulting in air quality alerts in the United States. Meanwhile, across the Caribbean, water shortages have become the new normal, and residents (and tourists) are finding their old consumption habits hard to change. St. Lucia has declared a water emergency. In Myanmar, water shortages worsen, particularly as related to the spiraling conflict.
At least ⅛ of Europeans live in a place at risk of extreme flooding—so says a 175-page report from the European Environment Agency posted on Wednesday. The number of people living in flood-risk coastal areas in the EU & UK is expected to jump 24% by 2050. The graphics-packed report also considers how flooding will impact healthcare facilities, mental health, wastewater treatment plants, the spread of disease, cyanobacteria, permafrost thaw, and much else.
A 74-page working paper which is not yet peer-reviewed claims that earlier estimates for how much GDP would be impacted by another 1 °C temperature rise is way less than it would be in actuality. The paper claims the real cost (in USD) is about 6x greater. They claim “global temperature has much more pronounced impacts on economic activity than local temperature” and that extreme weather is mostly behind the projected decline in productivity.
——————————
Epidemiologists are worried about how climate change in Africa may extend the life of disease-bearers like ticks and mosquitoes. Other epidemiologists are worried about how cattle may become a permanent reservoir for H5N1. Growing traced of bird flu have been found in wastewater testing in the U.S., but investigators think it may be runoff from infected dairy farms.
Obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure rates today globally are 50% higher than in 2000—though researchers claim that air pollution still poses a larger threat. Of a study participants in Hawai’i, 75% had respiratory issues, probably from the Maui wildfires last year.
The 2024 World Migration Report is out, and its 384 pages are not as apocalyptic as one might think. However, internally displaced people are at their all-time highest. India, Mexico, Russia, China, and Syria lead the world in emigrants; another document contains the definitions for who exactly constitutes a migrant. Unfortunately much of the data relied upon ends in 2022. Data from this year, not included in the above report, indicates a 40% jump in traffic through the Darien Gap compared to the same time period in 2023.
Some analysts believe “Peak China” may be over, signaling a period of economic tapering-off, as well as a growing militancy. Increasing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are continuing to separate the two economies. The Netherlands finally formed a provisional government, though its proposed immigration & farming policies have set it at odds with the EU.
The Federal Reserve, the U.S. central bank, released a 46-page report on potential climate risks to the banking system’s resilience. As far as I understood, most of the risk lies in extreme weather events and the risk to insurance agencies.
Part of southeast England experienced an outbreak of Cryptosporidium, a diarrhea & vomiting illness, highly contagious, which can last weeks. At least 22 cases have been reported. Meanwhile, the CDC is issuing warnings about the more dangerous strain of monkeypox circulating in the DRC, although cases are currently limited to Africa.
North Carolina’s Senate voted to ban mask-wearing last week, under the reasoning that it would make police identification of protestors difficult. An fMRI study found lasting neurological changes in COVID survivors; they “had significantly higher cognitive complaints of mental fatigue and cognitive failure….even two years after recovering.” Experts say a summer rise in COVID cases is coming to the United States.
A study on The Canadian/American Great Lakes found that PFAS levels are increasing in the 3 largest lakes (Superior, Huron, and Michigan), while decreasing in the other two (Erie, Ontario). The study also found that precipitation is the primary means by which the Lakes are accumulating PFAS, since the chemicals are small & stable enough to move through the water cycle. Meanwhile, in England’s Lake District, a telecom failure resulted in raw sewage being pumped into England’s largest and most famous lake, Windermere, on-and-off for 10 hours; and a major British water CEO took a $4M USD pay package last year. And a look into the Chicago River’s health found that microplastics & trash are endangering health & biodiversity.
——————————
An assassination attempt by a lone wolf on Slovakia’s PM left him in critical condition, but likely to survive. 11 civilians were slain by cartel fighters in a few battles in Mexico. Violence continues to spiral out of control in Goma, DRC.
In Haiti, everything worsens indefinitely. Guns have reportedly entered from Florida, a phenomenon which officials call an “iron river.” Police have been put on the defensive against the growing might of the gang warlords.
A brawl broke out in Taiwan’s parliament. An Iranian plot was allegedly foiled to smuggle weapons into Jordan to destabilize the pro-U.S. regime.
Dozens more died in Sudan from escalating violence around Darfur. People are warning about “a disaster on top of a disaster” and the possibility of Sudan splitting apart. Others have called it “hell on earth” as 1,000+ refugees cross the Chad border every day. Disease and malnutrition are growing, while famine encroaches upon 9M helpless victims of the conflict—but the world’s attention is elsewhere.
The U.S. Army Engineers completed constructing the pier in Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. Some 600,000 Gazans have been displaced from Rafah already, and fighting has escalated against Hamas militants in northern Gaza.
Taliban forces skirmished with Pakistani soldiers for about 90 minutes last week. Taliban attacks in Pakistan, and counterattacks have resulted in a kind of ambient disruption for the rocky border zone.
Violent protests—and counteroperations—are continuing in New Caledonia (pop: 270,000), a Pacific island part of overseas France. The riots, which have killed 6 people so far, began after metropolitan France proposed a plan to expand voting rights beyond indigenous residents. A state of emergency has been declared amid worries about a spiral of violence taking hold.
As the Sahel dries out, experts are concerned about the links to rising terrorism in the region. The Sahel accounts for over 40% of global terrorism deaths—according to the analysts’ understanding of “terrorism.” Mali in particular has reportedly become home to 41 new, different non-state armed groups (NSAGs) since 2007. A contested election in Chad resulted in the consolidation of theinterim leader’s power.
Russia made several gains in the suburbs of Kharkiv, seizing several settlements which some analysts doubt they will hold. Putin claims they aren’t really trying to take Kharkiv anyway… Russia also made small progress in the Donbas—although they suffered their largest one-day casualties since the start of the war. The U.S. allocated another $2B to hasten the delivery of weapons to the front lines. The next weeks will be crucial on the front. Switzerland has invited 160+ nations to send delegates to a peace summit intended to design a path to making peace in this War.
——————————
Select comments/threads from the subreddit last week suggest:
-Brazil’s flooding was really, really bad, judging from this post and its accompanying images. Across just one of Brazil’s 26 states, 600,000+ people have been made homeless, 100+ have died, and the storm season isn’t over yet. Some of the flooding isn’t expected to subside for another month.
-How specifically might climate change make humanity extinct? This thread crowdsources a number of plausible ways, from ordinary famines to nuclear war and even a massive deoxygenation process. I tend to think it will be a consequence of an eventual nuclear exchange, followed by extended famine and disease.
Got any feedback, questions, comments, complaints, upvotes, doom prophets to follow, hugelkultur guides, directions to off-grid bunkers, ark schematics, etc.? Check out the Last Week in Collapse SubStack if you don’t want to check collapse every Sunday, you can receive this newsletter sent to your (or someone else’s) email inbox every weekend. What did I forget this week?
submitted by LastWeekInCollapse to collapse [link] [comments]
Last Week in Collapse: May 12-18, 2024
This is Last Week in Collapse, a weekly newsletter compiling some of the most important, timely, useful, soul-crushing, ironic, stunning, exhausting, or otherwise must-see/can’t-look-away moments in Collapse.
This is the 125th newsletter! You can find the May 5-11 edition here if you missed it last week. You can also receive these posts (with images) every Sunday in your email inbox with Substack.
——————————
Flash flooding in northern Afghanistan killed 300+ people and destroyed 1,000+ homes. Hundreds of thousands of others have been affected. Last month, similar floods in the region killed 70+. Four died in Texas storms last week as well.
Venezuela is suffering from record wildfires, which so far this year have burned about 5M acres—almost the size of Sardinia. Some experts think indigenous people started the blaze as an attempt at forest clearance, which quickly got out of hand. “Institutional failures” compounded the disaster when the ailing government responded with an inadequate number of poorly equipped firefighters. Another study from last week examined the impact of wildfires on soil health.
Flooding and “cold lava” killed 50+ in Indonesia, injuring dozens and displacing several thousand. Cold lava is a mixture of water and rocks tumbling down the side of a volcano. Meanwhile, an actual volcano erupted in Indonesia, sending smoke & ash 5000m high; further eruptions are possible soon.
The Swiss Re Institute published a 37-page report last week about natural disasters in 2023—and how much damage, in USD, they caused. The largest catastrophe was the February 7.8 earthquake in Türkiye & Syria, which killed 59,000+ people and caused $163B+ in damage. The report is full of interesting graphics & data about natural disasters.
“Last year, economic losses from natural catastrophes reached USD 280 billion, meaning that 62% of the global losses were uninsured….the insured losses surpassed USD 100 billion for the fourth consecutive year….annual insured losses will grow by 5–7% over the long term…today’s insured losses could double in 10 years….There were 142 insured-loss inducing catastrophes in 2023, a new record. Most were of medium severity, which we define as events resulting in losses of USD 1–5 billion….Over the last 30 years, we estimate that natural catastrophe insured losses have grown by 3 percentage points more annually than the global economy (in inflation adjusted terms)...”Flooding and heat waves are impacting Brazil’s oranges, responsible for about 70% of the world’s supply. One food analysts declared that the “era of cheap food is over”—in the UK, at least. That may be one reason why UK residents took record food bank packages last year. Madagascar is struggling to adapt to a future with far less rainfall.
France is growing more concerned about a dam on Lake Geneva, controlled exclusively by Switzerland. The Rhône River, which begins in Switzerland and flows south through France, is shrinking in summers as climate change melts Switzerland’s remaining glaciers.
The Tonlé San River has been dammed in Vietnam, lowering the level in Cambodia and sometimes drying the river downstream entirely. Meanwhile, China’s lychee harvest is getting blasted by rain, impacting the world’s largest source of lychee. And, once again, Saudi Arabia is suffering flooding in its inland regions. 7 dead in historic flooding in Iran.
The eminent climate scientist James Hansen posted that, since “human-made aerosols and their cooling effect are in decline,” the cooling effect of La Niña will be counterbalanced by these rising temperatures. He also identifies a “large anomaly of increased absorbed solar radiation at midlatitudes in the Northern Hemisphere” responsible for rising temperatures there. CO2 levels are rising faster today than they have at any point in the previous 50,000 years…and a study of millennia-old trees determined last summer was the hottest worldwide in 2,000+ years…
Record nighttime May temperatures were tied in the Philippines and Vietnam. A couple Indonesian cities broke records for May temperatures. And a number of southern African states saw more records drop. And Toronto saw a record tied for the number of days reaching 14 °C (57 °F). A heat wave has returned to Bangladesh. Flooding in Cali (pop: 2.9M), Colombia.
The University of Washington was ordered to stop a geoengineering project that scientists sere conducting from the deck of a decommissioned aircraft carrier. The experiment ejected aerosolized saltwater in an attempt to reflect solar radiation. A comparative study in Nature Communications of a number of carbon pricing found that, yes, carbon pricing does work to reduce the total CO2 emitted.
It’s that time of the year again. Wildfires in Canada grow, some of which are moving towards the tar sands—forcing thousands to evacuate. 39 of the total nation’s blazes are “out of control,” resulting in air quality alerts in the United States. Meanwhile, across the Caribbean, water shortages have become the new normal, and residents (and tourists) are finding their old consumption habits hard to change. St. Lucia has declared a water emergency. In Myanmar, water shortages worsen, particularly as related to the spiraling conflict.
At least ⅛ of Europeans live in a place at risk of extreme flooding—so says a 175-page report from the European Environment Agency posted on Wednesday. The number of people living in flood-risk coastal areas in the EU & UK is expected to jump 24% by 2050. The graphics-packed report also considers how flooding will impact healthcare facilities, mental health, wastewater treatment plants, the spread of disease, cyanobacteria, permafrost thaw, and much else.
“Europe has seen devastating floods following record rainfall, droughts of magnitudes not experienced in hundreds of years, continuing sea level rise, and increasing lake and sea temperatures….permanent water stress already affects 30% of people in southern Europe….since 2018, more than half of Europe has been impacted by extreme drought conditions….Climate change is expected to increase mercury bioaccumulation in the marine food chain due to rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification and permafrost thawing….Depression, anxiety and PTSD may persist for years after a flooding event….Under the changing climate, northern Europe is becoming wetter in general, but drier in summer. Southern Europe is becoming drier, especially in winter. For central-eastern and western Europe, the trend is less clear…” -selections from the reportMilan suffered flooding last week, the worst May flooding in 170 years. Early spring in the UK has disrupted migratory bird species and their usual patterns.
A 74-page working paper which is not yet peer-reviewed claims that earlier estimates for how much GDP would be impacted by another 1 °C temperature rise is way less than it would be in actuality. The paper claims the real cost (in USD) is about 6x greater. They claim “global temperature has much more pronounced impacts on economic activity than local temperature” and that extreme weather is mostly behind the projected decline in productivity.
——————————
Epidemiologists are worried about how climate change in Africa may extend the life of disease-bearers like ticks and mosquitoes. Other epidemiologists are worried about how cattle may become a permanent reservoir for H5N1. Growing traced of bird flu have been found in wastewater testing in the U.S., but investigators think it may be runoff from infected dairy farms.
Obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure rates today globally are 50% higher than in 2000—though researchers claim that air pollution still poses a larger threat. Of a study participants in Hawai’i, 75% had respiratory issues, probably from the Maui wildfires last year.
The 2024 World Migration Report is out, and its 384 pages are not as apocalyptic as one might think. However, internally displaced people are at their all-time highest. India, Mexico, Russia, China, and Syria lead the world in emigrants; another document contains the definitions for who exactly constitutes a migrant. Unfortunately much of the data relied upon ends in 2022. Data from this year, not included in the above report, indicates a 40% jump in traffic through the Darien Gap compared to the same time period in 2023.
“The last two years saw major migration and displacement events that have caused great hardship and trauma, as well as loss of life….There have also been large-scale displacements triggered by climate- and weather-related disasters in many parts of the world in 2022 and 2023, including in Pakistan, the Philippines, China, India, Bangladesh, Brazil and Colombia….disinformation tactics are increasingly being used by nefarious actors with negative impacts on public, political and social media discourse on migration….Forced displacement is the highest on record in the modern era…overconsumption and overproduction linked to unsustainable economic growth, resource depletion and biodiversity collapse, as well as ongoing climate change (including global heating) are continuing to grip the world….the risk of further conflict has not been higher in decades, as military spending reached a new record high of USD 2,240 billion in 2022…” -excerpts from the introductionAnother report, focusing on internal displacement, came out last week; its 69 pages show a cross-section of about 47M people displaced by natural disasters (56%) or armed conflict (44%). Most of the disasters were storms & flooding, and most of the conflicts were civil wars of some form. This report also provides detailed region-by-region analyses—with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 46% of global IDPs.
“Conflict and violence triggered 13.5 million movements, the highest figure for the past 15 years….Disasters and conflict are presented as different triggers, but their impacts can overlap, often leading to repeated and/ or protracted displacement….Drought triggered 331,000 displacements in Somalia….Floods triggered 550,000 displacements in Ethiopia….Conflict and violence triggered 3.8 million displacements in DRC in 2023, a slight fall from the record four million in 2022, but still the second-highest figure globally after Sudan….nearly two-thirds of the internal displacements recorded in 2023 originated from Khartoum state. More than 39 per cent of the state's inhabitants were forced to flee, leaving entire neighbourhoods empty….Criminal and communal violence triggered nearly three-quarters of Nigeria's 291,000 conflict displacements….” -selections from the spotlight on sub-Saharan AfricaExperts are concerned about the mental health impacts that climate change has on our minds. Hotter temperatures reportedly increase depression & aggression. Wildfires and storms can cause PTSD. Workers feel stress and desperation as their usual industries are impacted. And air pollution influences ordinary brain processes in many ways.
Some analysts believe “Peak China” may be over, signaling a period of economic tapering-off, as well as a growing militancy. Increasing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are continuing to separate the two economies. The Netherlands finally formed a provisional government, though its proposed immigration & farming policies have set it at odds with the EU.
The Federal Reserve, the U.S. central bank, released a 46-page report on potential climate risks to the banking system’s resilience. As far as I understood, most of the risk lies in extreme weather events and the risk to insurance agencies.
Part of southeast England experienced an outbreak of Cryptosporidium, a diarrhea & vomiting illness, highly contagious, which can last weeks. At least 22 cases have been reported. Meanwhile, the CDC is issuing warnings about the more dangerous strain of m
North Carolina’s Senate voted to ban mask-wearing last week, under the reasoning that it would make police identification of protestors difficult. An fMRI study found lasting neurological changes in COVID survivors; they “had significantly higher cognitive complaints of mental fatigue and cognitive failure….even two years after recovering.” Experts say a summer rise in COVID cases is coming to the United States.
A study on The Canadian/American Great Lakes found that PFAS levels are increasing in the 3 largest lakes (Superior, Huron, and Michigan), while decreasing in the other two (Erie, Ontario). The study also found that precipitation is the primary means by which the Lakes are accumulating PFAS, since the chemicals are small & stable enough to move through the water cycle. Meanwhile, in England’s Lake District, a telecom failure resulted in raw sewage being pumped into England’s largest and most famous lake, Windermere, on-and-off for 10 hours; and a major British water CEO took a $4M USD pay package last year. And a look into the Chicago River’s health found that microplastics & trash are endangering health & biodiversity.
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An assassination attempt by a lone wolf on Slovakia’s PM left him in critical condition, but likely to survive. 11 civilians were slain by cartel fighters in a few battles in Mexico. Violence continues to spiral out of control in Goma, DRC.
In Haiti, everything worsens indefinitely. Guns have reportedly entered from Florida, a phenomenon which officials call an “iron river.” Police have been put on the defensive against the growing might of the gang warlords.
A brawl broke out in Taiwan’s parliament. An Iranian plot was allegedly foiled to smuggle weapons into Jordan to destabilize the pro-U.S. regime.
Dozens more died in Sudan from escalating violence around Darfur. People are warning about “a disaster on top of a disaster” and the possibility of Sudan splitting apart. Others have called it “hell on earth” as 1,000+ refugees cross the Chad border every day. Disease and malnutrition are growing, while famine encroaches upon 9M helpless victims of the conflict—but the world’s attention is elsewhere.
The U.S. Army Engineers completed constructing the pier in Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. Some 600,000 Gazans have been displaced from Rafah already, and fighting has escalated against Hamas militants in northern Gaza.
Taliban forces skirmished with Pakistani soldiers for about 90 minutes last week. Taliban attacks in Pakistan, and counterattacks have resulted in a kind of ambient disruption for the rocky border zone.
Violent protests—and counteroperations—are continuing in New Caledonia (pop: 270,000), a Pacific island part of overseas France. The riots, which have killed 6 people so far, began after metropolitan France proposed a plan to expand voting rights beyond indigenous residents. A state of emergency has been declared amid worries about a spiral of violence taking hold.
As the Sahel dries out, experts are concerned about the links to rising terrorism in the region. The Sahel accounts for over 40% of global terrorism deaths—according to the analysts’ understanding of “terrorism.” Mali in particular has reportedly become home to 41 new, different non-state armed groups (NSAGs) since 2007. A contested election in Chad resulted in the consolidation of the
“If governments are continually unable to solve regional issues, the people will be at the whim of any terror group that has a basic organization. It serves these groups’ interests to promote insecurity where they can and create security where they want. A “hearts and minds” campaign in the Sahel could lead to long-term and locally supported insurgencies in a land that is currently rife with civil strife.” -from the articleSome wargamers concluded that a Trump victory in 2020 would spell the end of NATO, or at least the end of its utility. Vladimir Putin replaced his minister of defense with a top economic advisor, just before going to Beijing to reaffirm their friendship with “no limits.” Some say Putin is planning on a forever war. Some say NATO is gearing up for one, too.
Russia made several gains in the suburbs of Kharkiv, seizing several settlements which some analysts doubt they will hold. Putin claims they aren’t really trying to take Kharkiv anyway… Russia also made small progress in the Donbas—although they suffered their largest one-day casualties since the start of the war. The U.S. allocated another $2B to hasten the delivery of weapons to the front lines. The next weeks will be crucial on the front. Switzerland has invited 160+ nations to send delegates to a peace summit intended to design a path to making peace in this War.
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Select comments/threads from the subreddit last week suggest:
-Brazil’s flooding was really, really bad, judging from this post and its accompanying images. Across just one of Brazil’s 26 states, 600,000+ people have been made homeless, 100+ have died, and the storm season isn’t over yet. Some of the flooding isn’t expected to subside for another month.
-How specifically might climate change make humanity extinct? This thread crowdsources a number of plausible ways, from ordinary famines to nuclear war and even a massive deoxygenation process. I tend to think it will be a consequence of an eventual nuclear exchange, followed by extended famine and disease.
Got any feedback, questions, comments, complaints, upvotes, doom prophets to follow, hugelkultur guides, directions to off-grid bunkers, ark schematics, etc.? Check out the Last Week in Collapse SubStack if you don’t want to check collapse every Sunday, you can receive this newsletter sent to your (or someone else’s) email inbox every weekend. What did I forget this week?
2024.05.19 12:20 Calm-Respond-7564 I hate this life, just looking for some support from you fuckas on this early early miserable morning
Alcohol is a trap!!!!! I keep wanting to taper but I keep fucking it up because I have to drink to feel normal and I try my best to do it slow and steady. Then once I’m feeling normal it’s such a relief that I speed it up a bit and even tho I very rarely black out or stumble these days, I’m in that loop of not really sleeping and hitting 3AM with eyes wide open, fear, racing heart, slight shakiness and some nausea. My body is generally sore. I have made the mistake of telling people who care about me that my alcoholism is a lot more severe than they realized but instead of using that to stay accountable, I just buckle down on the sneak drinking. I tell myself that “tomorrow” I’ll sweat and tremble it the fuck out but there’s always something that I need to do.
I’m completely exhausted. Alcoholics push through so much pain and discomfort, it’s dumb, wtf!! it really is a disease isn’t it?
Someone relate and talk to me in the comments so I don’t collapse with loneliness and panic!!! Chairs degenerates!!!!!
submitted by Calm-Respond-7564 to Crippled_Alcoholics [link] [comments]
I’m completely exhausted. Alcoholics push through so much pain and discomfort, it’s dumb, wtf!! it really is a disease isn’t it?
Someone relate and talk to me in the comments so I don’t collapse with loneliness and panic!!! Chairs degenerates!!!!!
2024.05.19 12:04 Open-Tune-5910 [The Matrix series] Starfield-type human race
So, my theory is that the humans of the Matrix series were able to successfully colonize space. Followed by those points:
So probably during the events of The Matrix the humans on outer space would live in a state similar to the one from Starfield, if not even more united by the fact that the humans weren't extradited from Earth thanks to a natural disaster, but thanks to the entities, The Machines. This means that probably, during the events of the Matrix, the humans could be, after centuries, preparing themselves to take back the planet.
How the invasion would work isn't on my interests, but it would be a more equal war thinking that since the end of the Human-Machine war The Machines stopped transforming.
So this was all, feel free to prove I'm right or wrong, I'm curious to hear your opinion.
P.S.: Sorry for the bad grammar, English isn't my native-language.
submitted by Open-Tune-5910 to FanTheories [link] [comments]
- Human technological advance: The Second Renaissance occurs between the years 2090 and 2139, in which the machines are built and then banned/destroyed. This means that in such a long time in the future we humans have currently developed several technologies capable of sustaining those Megacities that are showed in the short animation. Those technologies would include nuclear fusion, advanced biometric and probably cured most of the known diseases. Plus we would probably use genetically modified aliments.
- Human exploration: Given the right technologies and necessity for the elites to always find a higher place to live in the social pyramid, the human race would already have started if not completed the construction of a self-sufficient lunar base and, moreover, lunar launchpad.
- Human preservation: During the first part of the war, lasting from 2139 to Operation Dark Storm, a large part of the Earth as the America's were untouched by the Machines (Source in basing this on: The Matrix: The Machine War - Every Year, from Eric von Schweetz). With two continents being relatively untouched by the Machines, the humans would probably direct resources to the space program and the colonization of the Moon, founding domes on the Moon surface and constructing whatever necessity for life to... Well, live.
- Human Exodus. Before the beginning of Operation Dark Storm most of the top scientists, researchers, biologists and engineers, along with heads of states and the wealthiest, would departure to establish a constant presence on the Moon, probably transporting weapons of mass destruction and part of the so vast employed nanites.
- Human settlements: Once the first colony is set the humans would probably keep exploring the space, colonizing it.
So probably during the events of The Matrix the humans on outer space would live in a state similar to the one from Starfield, if not even more united by the fact that the humans weren't extradited from Earth thanks to a natural disaster, but thanks to the entities, The Machines. This means that probably, during the events of the Matrix, the humans could be, after centuries, preparing themselves to take back the planet.
How the invasion would work isn't on my interests, but it would be a more equal war thinking that since the end of the Human-Machine war The Machines stopped transforming.
So this was all, feel free to prove I'm right or wrong, I'm curious to hear your opinion.
P.S.: Sorry for the bad grammar, English isn't my native-language.
2024.05.19 11:44 Professional-Sun5599 How to advocate for ME/CFS in a nation that doesn’t have any NGOs, advocacy or research groups working on it, like in India?
I am a 19y/o male living in India suffering from moderate ME/CFS for the past 8 months. There are no specialists in the country and it produces negligible research on the condition. Doctors routinely prescribe GET-CBT-antidepressants as treatment options. I am positive that there are many thousands of people lying in bed undiagnosed.
How can I do my bit to raise awareness in my society when almost nobody healthy and capable knows or cares about it? Western countries at-least have a few large advocacy groups and research universities working on the disease. India barely has anything.
P.S. Just so you have an idea of how bad it is. Disability pension schemes in the country seem to pay Rs 1000-Rs 2500 per month, which, drum-roll please, amounts to anywhere between 15-30$ a month. Though I am not an expert on this and I might be reading the laws wrong. Anyways, I doubt they would let anyone with CFS qualify for it.
submitted by Professional-Sun5599 to cfs [link] [comments]
How can I do my bit to raise awareness in my society when almost nobody healthy and capable knows or cares about it? Western countries at-least have a few large advocacy groups and research universities working on the disease. India barely has anything.
P.S. Just so you have an idea of how bad it is. Disability pension schemes in the country seem to pay Rs 1000-Rs 2500 per month, which, drum-roll please, amounts to anywhere between 15-30$ a month. Though I am not an expert on this and I might be reading the laws wrong. Anyways, I doubt they would let anyone with CFS qualify for it.
2024.05.19 11:31 Significant-Tower146 Best Carhartt Balaclava
 | submitted by Significant-Tower146 to u/Significant-Tower146 [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/p208gpa2rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fffa3132c1f6bd9a9089b97f04a24c8a2fc3af8 Welcome to our roundup of the best Carhartt Balaclava options available in the market. It's time to get warm and cozy with this versatile piece of outdoor gear. In this roundup, we'll be exploring the top choices for balaclavas to help you find the perfect fit for your needs. The Top 14 Best Carhartt Balaclava
Reviews🔗Carhartt WIP Storm Chunky-Knit Balaclava - Blackhttps://preview.redd.it/ucekphr2rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c28712cf6dce32e8a29ca75f756672d173657a17 Wearing the Carhartt WIP Storm chunky-knit balaclava in black made me feel like a cool-weather, street-smart daredevil. I'd step out into the frost, ready to conquer the biting cold with this stylish companion on my face. The chunky knit felt soft, keeping me cozy as I braved the winter's icy winds. But what made this balaclava really stand out was the signature box logo on the front. It added a touch of edginess to my everyday look, turning heads wherever I went. But, there was one minor downside - the face opening was slightly more generous than I would have liked. When the wind picked up, or I took a sharp turn, some cold air still found its way in. Overall, though, this balaclava kept me toasty while adding a bit of panache to my style, making it worth the investment. 🔗Carhartt Black Cotton Face Gaiter with Filter Pockethttps://preview.redd.it/vfqmwyh3rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=763c698bc503638fa8abe0ddc5c75abb4e11f1f0 I've been using the Carhartt Black Cotton Gaiter with Filter Pocket for a few weeks now, and I must say, it has been a lifesaver during these pandemic times. As someone who needs to wear a mask at work, I was initially apprehensive about how comfortable the gaiter would be, but boy, was I pleasantly surprised! First off, the fit is just right. It's adjustable, so it's easy to pull it tighter or looser depending on how you want to wear it. The one size fits most, so it's a great option for those who want a gaiter that can adapt to different head sizes without sacrificing comfort. But what really stood out to me is the filter pocket. It's designed to accommodate a filter, and I found that it actually works quite well. With just a small piece of filter, the gaiter provides a great level of protection without feeling too claustrophobic or uncomfortable. However, there were a couple of things that I wasn't particularly fond of. First, the stitching seemed a bit flimsy at times. I had to be extra careful when washing it to avoid any unraveling, which was a bit of a bummer. Overall, though, it held up pretty well despite its slightly weak stitching. The other downside was that it wasn't as easy to get on and off as some other gaiters I've tried. It took a bit of fumbling around to get the elastic cord to secure itself properly, which was a bit of a hassle. Despite these minor issues, I still highly recommend the Carhartt Black Cotton Gaiter with Filter Pocket. It's comfortable, effective, and a great option for anyone looking for a reliable mask alternative during these challenging times. 🔗Carhartt Force Mask: Fast-Dry Winter Balaclavahttps://preview.redd.it/8taciqm3rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afed3ca32fa711fc68e2a9dfbdee8330c7109920 I've been using the Carhartt Men's Force Helmet Liner Mask for a while now, and it has been a game-changer during my outdoor adventures. The full-face protection that extends below the neckline is a fantastic feature, as it shields me from the biting cold and howling winds. I particularly love the face mask, which can be tucked under the chin when not in use. One of the highlights is the Carhartt Force fabric with Fast Dry technology, which wicks away sweat for added comfort, even during heavy activity. This is perfect for someone like me who tends to sweat a lot during my adventures. The interior of the mask feels incredibly soft and cozy, thanks to the fleeced material. However, there are a few cons to this product as well. First, the mask can get a bit rank due to my persistent breathing through it. I've ended up washing it a hundred times or more and it still shows very little wear. Another feature that could be improved is the neckline. If it were two inches longer, it would provide better coverage and feel even more comfortable. Overall, the Carhartt Men's Force Helmet Liner Mask has been a crucial addition to my wardrobe for those cold outdoor days. It strikes a perfect balance between comfort and functionality, although there is always room for improvement. 🔗Carhartt WIP Black Mission Balaclavahttps://preview.redd.it/b87skly3rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=169b7ad4f9f639775f4ec1319d589988bd6c3b9a Ever find yourself shivering in the chilly outdoors, needing something to keep your face warm without blocking your view of the world? That's where the Carhartt WIP Mission Mask comes in. Made of 100% polyester with a thickness of 220g/m², this mask effortlessly covers your head, face, and neck. The best part? It lets you see the world around you without obstruction. Now, let's talk about the pros. The polyester material is durable and comfortable, perfect for a range of activities from hiking to city exploration. The mask itself is a solid black, giving it a sleek and modern look, which can blend in most outdoor settings. The military label adds an element of ruggedness, perfect for those outdoor enthusiasts. However, there are a few cons to mention. While the mask effectively keeps the chill at bay, the 39 cm height might not be enough for those with a taller stature. Also, some users might find it slightly heavy on the face over extended periods. Overall, the Carhartt WIP Mission Mask is a reliable and fashionable solution for those looking to withstand the cold without compromising their view. Just remember, it's primarily designed for cooler weather, so you might want to opt for another solution in extreme-cold situations. 🔗Carhartt Flame-Resistant Force Balaclava for Comfort and Protectionhttps://preview.redd.it/jzqa4fg4rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dfbbf328251fb7ad19761a050d9bea5b5f2d9f26 The Carhartt Flame-Resistant Balaclava proved to be a reliable companion on chilly days at work. I loved the full face coverage that extended below the neck. The FastDry technology kept me comfortable throughout the day as the sweat was wicked away, and I felt cool despite the heavy tasks on hand. I appreciated the force technology that pulled the mask down below my chin when needed. However, the drawback of this balaclava was its thickness - it was not as ample warmth on my face as my expectations. Despite this, I would recommend it for those who prioritize comfort and functionality while working in risky environments. 🔗Stay Warm in Extreme Conditions with Carhartt's Fast-Dry Helmet Liner Maskhttps://preview.redd.it/v0h7dfr4rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9770ea30cf71da1711bc574bb4e03ffaeeaa8063 The Carhartt Men's Force Helmet Liner Mask is a reliable companion for those harsh, freezing days. Just like the name suggests, it really does force out the chill. It's a bit like a superhero cape for your neck - you can tuck it into your clothing or wear it loose, and it's always ready to deploy when the winds come howling. The face mask has a nice feature that pulls down under the chin when not in use. It's a little bit like a superhero who can change shapes - it turns from a full-facial protection into a handy scarf for your winter stroll. When it comes to comfort, it uses technology that's akin to a superhero's invisibility cloak. The material wicks away sweat, keeping you dry and cozy. The mask is made from a blend of fabric that's more like a superhero's suit than a simple piece of cloth. It's made from 88% polyester and 12% spandex. This strong blend ensures the mask fits snugly without feeling too tight, and it makes it durable enough to last through many winters. There's a thing about this mask which reminds me of Batman's utility belt - it's full of surprises. It has a full-facial protection that extends below the neckline, which ensures that no icy wind will catch you off guard. And for those times when a little extra chin protection is needed, it has a nifty feature that can pull the front end up, but it still allows enough breathing room. The material is quite breathable but remember, it’s not designed or medically certified to stop airborne disease or protect from viruses. However, it does a commendable job of keeping out dust during winter, which is a relief when you're working in an environment that's full of dusty snow drifts. The design of the mask is simple yet effective. Its quick-dry technology, the antimicrobial finish, and its flat-seam construction all make it an excellent choice in a pinch. Just like a trusty sidekick or a sleek racecar, its one size fits most, and it can be easily washed. The face mask will fit perfectly snug under a helmet, providing extra warmth. The material is quite breathable, but it can get a bit rank from your own breathing, especially after a long workday. But, it shows very little wear after many washes. However, one thing to note is that you won't be stopping an actual criminal with this mask, it’s not designed or medically rated to provide protection from viruses or airborne disease. So, while it may not be a James Bond-style gadget, it's still a pretty decent investment for a warmer, comfier winter experience. This Carhartt Balaclava isn’t just a protective gear; it’s like a superhero's secret weapon that you can tuck under your shirt during those cold and harsh winter days. It’s like wearing a little bit of warmth right under your nose while you go about your day. 🔗Cozy Carhartt Balaclava for Outdoor Adventureshttps://preview.redd.it/esaefni5rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b85f915ed468c58757ea3eb2bec49ae349426c9a I recently had the opportunity to test out the Carhartt WIP Remi Hood Balaclava, and I'm excited to share my experience with all of you. I decided to give it a try as a versatile piece of clothing to keep me warm during those chilly outdoor activities. The very first thing I noticed when I opened the package was the high-quality materials used to create this hood. At 100% acrylic and 5-gauge, it certainly felt luxurious to the touch. It's a great choice for those cold days and nights out. In terms of its design, the Remi Hood delivers a minimalist, yet sleek look. I particularly loved the script logo on the hood, which added a touch of elegance without being too overpowering. The soft acrylic backdrop made it incredibly comfortable to wear, and it fit perfectly despite only having one size. Despite being so comfortable, I couldn't help but notice the occasional itchiness from the acrylic material. However, this trade-off was well worth the overall warmth and comfort the Remi Hood provided. Overall, I highly recommend the Carhartt WIP Remi Hood Balaclava for anyone looking for a practical, stylish, and comfortable way to stay warm during those chilly outdoor adventures. 🔗Carhartt Balaclava: Durable Rib-Knit Insulated Face Maskhttps://preview.redd.it/gj9lfir5rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7e7d6656d46b2b43307d3dfded31d30cdcfbe9d I recently had the chance to try out the Carhartt Black Knit Insulated Face Mask, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer when it comes to staying warm in cold weather. The highlight of this face mask is its long neck, which provides not only enhanced protection from chilly winds but also a greater sense of comfort and security. One of the things I appreciated most about this face mask is its acrylic rib-knit fabric. It offers just the right amount of insulation, keeping you cozy during those frigid winter days. The softness of the material also ensures that it's comfortable to wear, even for extended periods. However, there were a couple of drawbacks I noticed while using the mask. Firstly, the overlock stitching, which is designed to resist abrasion, can sometimes be a bit annoying as it tends to catch on clothing and other surfaces. Secondly, the mask can become quite wrinkled after washing, which may affect its overall appearance and effectiveness. Overall, the Carhartt Black Knit Insulated Face Mask is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable, warm, and comfortable winter accessory. Its unique features and high-quality materials make it a standout option in the market, even if there are a few minor drawbacks to consider. 🔗Carhartt WIP Brown Balaclava for All Seasonshttps://preview.redd.it/id7fcmg6rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f45bce00e88e154dcb8aa4af22b574e0f9497442 I recently gave the Carhartt WIP Storm Mask a try, and I must say, it's been a game-changer for me during these chilly months. Made of a cozy, warm acrylic fabric, its comfort is unparalleled. The stretchy rib knit construction makes it fit like a glove, and the Carhartt WIP logo on the cuff gives it that classic touch. One downside I noticed was the color of the mask appearing more reddish-brown in the picture than what I received, but that didn't affect my overall experience. Overall, it's a great tool to protect against the winter's harshness and make my commutes more enjoyable. 🔗Off-White Remi Balaclava by Carhartt WIP - Rib Knit, 100% Acrylic, 5 Gaugehttps://preview.redd.it/t8k4v1r6rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3ec1401ffe1d9a8134fe08c6e476090ecf88f412 The Carhartt Work in Progress Off-White Remi Balaclava was a game-changer for my daily routine. As someone who's always on the go, the height of 36.5 cm was a perfect fit, allowing me to stay comfortable and protected. The 100% acrylic and 5-gauge material proved to be both durable and cozy. The label with the script logo added a touch of class to the overall design. However, the one downside was the balaclava's trim, which felt somewhat too tight and constricting. Despite that minor hiccup, the Remi Balaclava has undoubtedly become a staple in my wardrobe. 🔗Carhartt WIP Storm Mask: Winter Gear for Full-Face Protectionhttps://preview.redd.it/6ntcq297rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d077cbb519f5e84cb91b15237ebc6d65ea45366 I recently tried the Carhartt WIP Storm Mask in black - a snug little warm-up you might want to explore this winter. Made of a stretchy, four-gauge rib-knit acrylic fabric, it feels soft and cozy against your skin. The one-size-fits-all approach means it's perfect for all genders and head sizes. Although it covers the entire face, it still has a subtle see-through pattern over the eyes. If you live in a chilly area, this might be the right piece for you. It's perfect for keeping your face warm, shielding you from the harsh winter cold. However, be aware that it may get a bit itchy after a long time of use. Overall, it's a pretty handy, comfortable and stylish bit of winter attire. So far, so good! 🔗Carhartt Men's Washed Duck Insulated Hood: Adjustable Balaclava with Quilted Nylon Lininghttps://preview.redd.it/g5qxtck7rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c7bd9ddc99fadbd852c698827597d34b74f3a04 I recently purchased the Carhartt Men's Washed Duck Insulated Hood for my coat, and I must say I am quite impressed. The quilted-nylon lining provides warmth and comfort, while the three-piece hood construction and draw cord adjustable with cord lock allow for a perfect fit. Although I have faced some difficulty with the triple-stitched main seams coming undone after a few months, overall, I am satisfied with my purchase. The hood has come in handy during those windy days, providing adequate coverage on the sides and top. However, the snaps on the hood may not align perfectly with the coat, causing a minor inconvenience. In summary, the Carhartt Men's Washed Duck Insulated Hood offers a decent fit and warmth, but the snaps may require a little tweaking to work correctly. 🔗Carhartt Camo Balaclava with FastDry Technologyhttps://preview.redd.it/nqi4js08rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1ded5d332ed60b3e8d30c87e512cda58869f03c As a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, I recently tried the Carhartt Camo Fleece 2 in 1 Headwear, and I was thoroughly impressed. The headwear not only provides adequate warmth but also offers excellent protection from the elements. The 2 in 1 design, with a pull-down face mask, truly makes this product stand out. One of the most noteworthy aspects of the Carhartt Camo Fleece Headwear is its FastDry technology. This feature really comes in handy when I'm out in the cold for extended periods, as it ensures my face mask dries promptly after use, maintaining its effectiveness. The fact that the mask can be tucked up into the hat when not in use is a simple yet effective design that adds convenience. The Carhartt leatherette label sewn on the front is a thoughtful touch that adds a certain elegance and authenticity to the headwear. It makes the product stand out from others in the market, giving it a unique identity. However, there are a couple of minor drawbacks with this product. While I appreciated the face mask, it could have been slightly longer to ensure better coverage and tuck-in capabilities. Additionally, I found that the fit around the ears could be slightly better, as I experienced some slippage with my current headwear size. Overall, the Carhartt Camo Fleece 2 in 1 Headwear combines comfort and protection in one convenient package. It's perfect for those who spend time outdoors, hunting, or simply need to keep their face and ears warm in cold weather. With its unique 2 in 1 design and FastDry technology, this headwear is definitely a worthwhile investment. 🔗Carhartt Fleece 2-in-1 Winter Protection Balaclavahttps://preview.redd.it/tkgj8ru8rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=78d6640d793379f00c819f877e88ca7394318a76 When I was using the Carhartt Fleece 2-in-1 Headwear, I noticed how versatile it was. With the ear flaps and pull-down face mask, I felt like I had complete control over my level of warmth. As one reviewer mentioned, the hat really delivers warmth during the coldest of winter days, and it's perfect for when you need that extra protection. However, there were a couple of cons that I came across during my experience. Firstly, the size seemed to be a bit small, especially for those with larger heads or those who wear glasses, as mentioned by some users. While it was a small issue for some, others reported having cold necks when using the headwear. Lastly, the face mask was not detachable, even though it's very useful in cold weather. This made it a bit inconvenient for wearing while engaged in lighter activities, like working around the house. Overall, I found this product to be a really useful tool for the unpredictable winter weather. It offers both warmth and comfort, and the moisture-wicking backing helps keep any moisture away from your skin. Despite the minor cons, I would definitely recommend the Carhartt Fleece 2-in-1 Headwear to others looking for all-weather protection. Buyer's GuideWelcome to our comprehensive buyer's guide for Carhartt Balaclavas. In this section, we'll provide you with essential information to help you make an informed decision when purchasing one of these versatile headwear pieces. The Carhartt brand is renowned for its durable and high-quality products, and their Balaclavas are no exception. Without further ado, let's dive into the details. https://preview.redd.it/pzx7zba9rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22ed36641608bd48a97f5284b90ed38db1990280 What is a Carhartt Balaclava?A Carhartt Balaclava is a multi-functional head covering that's designed to protect the wearer from cold weather and harsh conditions. Balaclavas are typically made of a warm insulated material, and their unique design allows the wearer to expose only the face or mouth while covering the entire head and neck. Due to their adaptability and versatility, they are a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and workers.Material and InsulationThe quality of the material and insulation is a crucial factor when considering a Carhartt Balaclava. Make sure to choose a model that made of a durable, moisture-wicking, and insulated material. Common materials used in Carhartt Balaclavas include polyester, fleece, and acrylic knits. Look for proper insulation in the form of fillers or lining to help maintain body heat and prevent cold temperatures from affecting your comfort. https://preview.redd.it/jv7yrjw9rc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7dd991411c6f7a34302fd414bc29c38206d80900 Fit and ComfortWhen shopping for a Carhartt Balaclava, ensure that it fits well and is comfortable. A snug, yet not too tight, fit will provide optimal heat retention and protection from wind and snow. The Balaclava should be easy to adjust and wear, with minimal bulkiness around the face.StylingWhile styling may not be the first priority when choosing a Carhartt Balaclava, it's still worth considering. Look for designs that match your personal style or the needs of a specific activity or occasion. Some Carhartt Balaclavas come with adjustable necklines and face openings, allowing you to customize the look to your preference. https://preview.redd.it/qctx02carc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52a9dbda5bc1596dc7771a50698f434d6f3f7bb0 Brand Reliability and ReputationCarhartt is a reputable brand known for their high-quality, durable, and practical designs. By choosing a Carhartt Balaclava, you can rest assured that you're investing in a product that's built to last and will provide you with excellent protection from harsh weather conditions.Customer Reviews and RatingsBefore making a purchase, take a look at customer reviews and ratings for the Carhartt Balaclava you're considering. This will help you gain insight into the product's performance, durability, and fit from real-world users.A Carhartt Balaclava is an essential item for those who love spending time outdoors in cold and windy conditions. By considering the features, materials, fit, and style, you can find the perfect Balaclava to meet your specific needs. Remember to always read product descriptions, reviews, and ratings before making a purchase to ensure satisfaction. https://preview.redd.it/ibqc6gwarc1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=311db60b0998783857050c9c94e55d68e44bbe24 FAQWhat is a Carhartt Balaclava?A Carhartt Balaclava is a type of face mask designed to provide both warmth and protection from harsh cold weather conditions. It is typically made of durable materials, like Carhartt's signature rugged fabric, making it suitable for outdoor activities.Why should I choose a Carhartt Balaclava over other brands?Carhartt is known for its high-quality products that are built to withstand the toughest conditions. When you choose a Carhartt Balaclava, you can expect it to be both comfortable to wear and resistant to wear and tear. Additionally, the brand has a long-standing reputation for crafting reliable and durable workwear, making it a trusted choice for many consumers.How do I choose the right Carhartt Balaclava for me?
Are Carhartt Balaclavas suitable for various activities?Yes, Carhartt Balaclavas are versatile and suitable for a variety of activities, including outdoor sports, winter hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. The choice of balaclava will depend on the specific activity and weather conditions you expect to encounter.How do I care for and store my Carhartt Balaclava?
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2024.05.19 10:58 jenajiejing The Secret of Human Bodies – Examples Proving the Existence of the Greatest Creator
Xue Feng Though the modern medicine has limited knowledge of human bodies, what we have known is enough for us to admire the excellent human body structure and functions. Each system and organ in the human body is designed by the Greatest Creator. Even those trivial body parts have great functions. For example, there are several types of hairs on human bodies with distinct forms and functions. The head hair is designed to protect and beautify the head. It can grow long. According to the Bible, “But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” The eyebrows can divert sweat and rain, preventing them into the eyes. That’s why they are lined above the two eyes. Eyelashes can prevent the dust and other things from entering the eyes. That’s why they are lined on the sides of the eyelids. Also they stand forward in a special curve because it wouldn’t hinder the eyesight or pierce into the eyes when closing the eyes. If the eyebrows and eyelashes are too long, they will hinder the eyesight. That’s why they wouldn’t grow as long as the hair or beards. The nasal hairs can filter the inhaled air. That’s why they grow inside the nostril and stand sideways and outwards. If they stand inwards, the other things will find it easy to come into the nostrils and difficult to go out. The armpit hairs can prevent the partial friction and help the sweat evaporate. Without the armpit hairs, we have to raise our arms. Otherwise the skin under the arm will become inflamed because of the friction and moist. Required by the function, the armpit hairs cannot grow as long as the head hairs, or as short as the eyebrows. Besides, they are soft and curving. If they are rigid and coarse, they will hurt the skin. And cilia grow on the intestinal epithelium. The cilia grow downward and vibrate together. The vibrating waves move downward from upward to help move down the intestinal contents. Cilia also grow on the airway and bronchus epithelium. However, they grow and vibrate in the opposite direction as those on the intestinal epithelium. Only in this way can they move the sputum upward to the throat and spit them. If they grow downward, the airway and bronchus would get stuck by the sputum and the humans would die from it. Now I wish to take two simple reflections of human bodies as an example. When foreign matters enter the nostrils or airways, they will arouse two protective reflections, sneeze or cough, which is designed to repel the foreign matters. But due to different situation, these two reflections differ in their approaches. The foreign matters in the nostrils are not urgent so the sneeze reflection can be prepared in a composed way. First, inhale slowly; open the mouth, and the soft place move upward to block the nostril. Then breathe in enough air through the mouth, and the pleural body contracts sharply to emit the air in the lungs quickly. When the emitting reaches its peak, the tongue rises abruptly to block the mouth to repel the air to go out swiftly through the nostrils. In this way the foreign matters in the nostrils are driven out. However, if the foreign matters enter the airway, it is an emergent situation. If the foreign matters are not driven out timely, the life will be put at risk. The inhaling is strictly forbidden because it will make the foreign matters go deeper and cause suffocation. So the cough doesn’t include the inhaling. Instead, the glottis closes immediately. At the same time, the pleural body contracts suddenly and adds the lung air pressure extremely. When the pressure is at its strongest point, the glottis opens suddenly and the lung air sends out explosively, compelling the foreign matters in the airway to the throat via the glottis. At this time, the soft place rises to block the nostrils. The foreign matters are spit out through the mouth. If the tongue and the soft place perform the same way as in the sneeze, the foreign matters emitted out of the airway will enter the nostrils, causing another trouble. In these two reflections, the body parts must cooperate closely. Any failure in the coordination will lead to the failure of the reflection, causing serious consequences. So these activities are not done freely. Instead, they are done as required by their functions and set procedures. These procedures are not learnt or practices. The program has been rooted in our brain nerve structure (nerve nucleus) when we are born. Otherwise, the babies will not survive. The advanced computer science has made it possible to simulate these activities. However, the simulation requires 3 conditions: 1. Device simulating the inhale and exhaling of human mouth, nose, throat, pleural and the sensing device; 2. The central control equipment simulating nerves and body system (compute, input and output devices). The above two devices are hardware. And software is also needed, namely (3). A program composed in strict compliance with the requirements to control the performance and procedure of each link, and arrange them in perfect coordination. All the three conditions are imperative. Otherwise the reflections can’t be realized. The program itself is not a substance structure. Instead, it is a smart use and spiritual result. There will be no such a thing as the program without the smart use. So we have to ask, the program is composed by the humans and stored in the computer, how about the control program in the human brain. Is it also composed by someone and stored in the human brain? Sneeze and cough are the simplest examples. There are numerous automatically controlled physical, bio-chemical and pathological human body activities, which are even more sophisticated than reflections of cough. Even today, some of them remain mysteries to us. So how are these sophisticated control programs composed? And where do they come from? Now let’s have a look at the sensory organs on human bodies. Why do we have two ears? The reason is that one ear is not able to identify the direction. With the ears lying on two sides of the head, the sound reaches the ears in sequence of time. Based on the slight receiving time difference, the brain can judge where the sound comes from. The auricle is the most outward component of the ear. It can introduce the sound into the external auditory canal. Within the auricle there is a thin layer of cartilage helping to retain the form of auricle, giving it wonderful elasticity and protecting it from the clashes. Without the cartilage, the auricle is just two useless pieces of skin hanging on the head side. If the thin bone is inside the auricle, it will break easily even if when you are sleeping on your side, damaging the auricle. There is fuzz on the outer segment of the external auditory canal preventing the sand and dust. The inner segment secretes cerumen to prevent insects. When foreign matters enter the external auditory canal, it will trigger head shaking, instead of sneeze or cough, to get the matters out. Because the external auditory canal is a blind passage, it is impossible to repel the foreign matters with air. Why don’t the foreign matters in the nostrils arouse the head-shaking reflection to repel them? That’s because the nostrils of humans almost lie in the middle of the head. The shaking is not able to produce enough centrifugal force. Besides, the human nostrils face downward and it is improper to repel the foreign matters by shaking the head. The sound is produced by the mechanical vibration of objects and is transmitted by the air fluctuation, or the sound waves. The human ears are actually working like a precise mechanical vibration monitor. In the inner ear there are a number of keyboards with different sizes, producing nerve impulses produced by echoing with corresponding frequencies. The brain, in accordance with the features of these impulses, identifies the strength, tunes and timbre of the sounds. We must note though there are many sensory organs in human bodies, only the inner ear is protected by the most solid and firm bones. In fact, it lies in the cave part of the temporal bone. Of all the sensory organs, only the ears monitor the mechanical vibration, which needs a relatively fixed position. Otherwise, it is not able to monitor the sound. If the inner ear lies in the soft tissues, when the sound wave arrives, the inner ear will vibrate with it. Thus it can hear nothing. Now the inner ear lies in the firm bone and it can’t sense the air vibration. So it is imperative to reduce the density waves to the mechanical vibrations before sending them to the inner ear. And there is such a reduction device at the middle bottom of the external auditory canal, which is called the eardrum. The eardrum has enough space to receive the air pressure. It is thin enough to vibrate when the sound wave arrives. Meanwhile, the eardrum is strong enough to push the transmission device. The long handle of the middle ear cartilage is attached to its inner side, the tensile force of which makes the eardrum sink inside slightly to maintain certain tension. This allows the eardrum to accurately reduce the arriving sound waves into the mechanical vibrations. No matter what the temperature is, the vibration function is not impacted. After the sound waves are reduced into the mechanical vibration, some rigid objects are needed to transmit the vibration to the inner ear. Of all body tissues, the most rigid objects are the bones. However, the bones are heavy in general and covered by the soft tissues, which are not suitable for the audio vibration. However, in the tympanic cavity between the eardrum and the inner ear, there are three unique tiny bones with delicate forms measured in millimeters. They are almost completely exposed to the air in the tympanic cavity. These three tiny bones are connected by ligament and form a transmission chain in curve with excellent audio vibration function, able to transmit accurately the vibration of the eardrum to the inner ear. The transmission device can properly multiply the weak vibration and reduce the strong sound wave. All of these structures are the super designs required by the acoustics. There are even smarter designs in the hearing organ. For example, to make the eardrum vibrate freely following the arriving sound waves, the two sides of the eardrums must be exposed to the air. As a result, there is a tympanic cavity full of air in the middle ear. If the cavity is filled by liquids, just as other cavities are, the eardrum is not able to vibrate because the liquids can’t contract. Besides, the cavity does not only need to be filled with air, but also needs to be connected to the outside world with a proper passage, to balance the static air pressure in the cavity with the outside air pressure. Otherwise, the air in the cavity will gradually be absorbed, causing the eardrum to sink excessively or damaging it. When the outside air pressure changes, (such as in mountain climbing, diving, the airplane takeoff or climate change), it will arouse uncomfortable feelings or lead to hearing malfunction. But the middle ear can’t be opened to the outside world directly, just like the external auditory canal or nostrils can. The reason is that the direct exposure will make the arriving waving sound reach the two sides of the eardrums at the same time via the external auditory canal and middle ear passage, counteracting the sound pressure. Thus the eardrums will not vibrate at all, unable to produce the hearing. So it is a difficult problem to connect the middle ear and the outside world. However, the human body, with a smart design, solves this problem. The middle ear is opened at the two sides in the upper rear of the pharynx via a half-opened passage (the so-called auditory tube). The auditory tube is locked in common times and only opened temporarily when taking the swallowing actions, balancing the air pressure in the middle ear shortly. After the swallowing action is over, the auditory tube is locked again. Apart from eating, human body would regularly take swallowing action unconsciously, even when he or she is sleeping. Thus the air pressure in the middle ear can be adjusted from time to time and avoid the hearing from being hindered. Besides, when swallowing, the swallowing segment and the soft palate will definitely rise, blocking the mouth and nostrils against the outside world. So on the moment when the ear and throat are opened shortly, though the air in the throat can enter the middle ear, the sound waves from the outside world are blocked against the middle ear. As a result, the hearing will not be interfered and can receive the outside sound and voice. Only the throat in the body can meet the special demand of the hearing organs. The throat is originally designed as part of the digestion and breathing system, it does not belong to sensory system. However, it can cooperate so smartly with the hearing organs. We have to admire the extremely delicate body-wise design. The vestibule in the inner ear controls the balance of the body. In the vestibule there are 3 semicircular canals. When the body loses balance, the mutually-vertical semicircular canals produce the balance impulse, which triggers the corresponding reflection via the balance center in the medulla brain. Why are there 3 semicircular canals instead of 2 or 4? And why are they mutually vertical? The reason is apparent. Humans live in the 3-dimensional space. There are 3 mutually-vertical movement directions, namely, front and rear, left and right, upward and downward. So the 3 mutually-vertical semicircular canals can monitor the movements. The number less than 3 or more than 3 would be insufficient or redundant. We can see the delicate and smart structure and function, and the supreme wisdom in them. They can’t be the accidental results. As the most important perception of human bodies, vision provides more information than that provided by all other perceptions. The vision is the perception of image and space and the visual organs must have the most precise and accurate structure completely different from other sensory organs. As a result, in the perspective of the embryo-genesis or neuro-anatomy, the main structure of the eyes is not just the common receptor. Instead, it is part of the cerebral cortex. The so-called optic nerves are completely different from other cerebrospinal nerves. In essence, the optic nerves are inner structure in the brain, transmitting the most sophisticated visual information. The eyes function like a precise camera. The retina composed of the photoreceptor cells is just like the films. The crystal, iris and the cornea works like the lens, diaphragm and the filter. However, the precision and automatic adjustment of the eyes is no match of any high-quality cameras. For example, the lens in modern cameras is made of special glass or hard plastics with fixed focal distance. When taking pictures for the landscapes with different distances, the lens position must be adjusted. Otherwise, the image will not be produced on the films. But this is an awkward approach. Imagine when the eyes are watching landscapes with different distances, the eyeballs have to protrude or recess alternatively, which looks ugly or damages the health and function of the eyes. However, the crystal in the eyes are transparent and elastic colloid, which can adjust automatically the focal distance in accordance with the distance of the objects to make sure all the objects can be imaged on the retina, without changing the position of the crystal. Such automatic adjustment function can’t be fulfilled by any camera. If we observe the eyes in the perspective of modern TV technologies, the eyes are more like the television camera, but thousands of times more precise than the television cameras. The TV image is composed of dense pixels (the mixed dark or brilliant light spots). Till now, the best TV image only contains less than 1 million pixels. However, the human eyes can produce image containing 20 billion pixels. Only the eyes can see the details of objects. No matter how clear or accurate the image is, it is still a plan view image. Then how the eyes can provide the dimensional image is a key issue of providing the complete vision. But it is not an easy task at all to convert the flat view image into the dimensional one. For a long time, people have been puzzled by how the conversion is done. Of course, we later knew the smartness and delicacy of the human body shown here. The two eyes send the flat view images they receive into the same nerve center, which contrasts and analyzes the images and judges the distance of the objects based on the slight visual angle difference caused by the position difference of the two eyes. Thus the dimensional image is produced. That’s why people have to have 2 eyes to establish the complete vision. Based on such understanding, humans have invented the dimensional movies. But the above is only the external process of how vision is formed. People have little knowledge about how the visual center works inside. We have to admit that the mysteries of human body structure and functions are beyond the intelligence of mankind. As a matter of fact, the distance judgment with two eyes is the triangulation technique which is precise and automatic. The accurate measurement needs two premises. First, the two eyes must focus on one object at the same time. Otherwise, there will be double vision, which means the one objects will be seen as two objects. As a result, the complete neuromuscular system is equipped on the outside of the eyeballs, making the eyeballs the most flexible and accurate organs. The ciliary muscle inside the eyeballs can adjust the conversion rate of the crystal at any time to focus on the object and form the clearest image. Second, the retina of the two eyes must be strictly symmetrical. Otherwise, the image contrast of the two eyes will become impossible. Furthermore, the images received by the two eyes must be transmitted at the same time to the same visual center for contrast and analysis. There are two visual nerves on the left and right side of the brain, supervising respectively the two sides of the vision field. The objects in the left of the vision field are reflected, via the eye pupil, on the retina of the right sides of the two eyeballs. The corresponding images in the two eyes, via the visual nerve, are sent to the visual center on the right side of the brain. The objects in the right of the vision field are reflected, via the eye pupil, on the retina of the left sides of the two eyeballs. The corresponding images in the two eyes, via the visual nerve, are sent to the visual center on the left side of the brain. The two visual nerves contrast the corresponding images coming from the eyes and produce the full-field dimensional images. The pairs of human parts are often symmetrical on the outside. Only the retinas are symmetrical in the same position. Namely, the left side is symmetrical to the left side and the right side symmetrical to the right side of the two retinas. That’s because the light rays come in directly. Otherwise, the visual centers can’t receive the corresponding images or get the coordinated vision. The structural symmetry of the retinas in the two eyes must be accurate to the utmost. Otherwise the images in the two eyes will not comply with each other and the ambiguity will occur. Besides, the corresponding images from the two eyes must be sent to the same visual center. Thus the optic nerves must have the corresponding special structure to realize the cross-transmission of the images. This is the unique “chiasma opticum” unique to the optic nerves. This function is not possessed by any other nervus cerebrospinalis because they don’t handle the information of images and space. If we use the computers and monitoring cameras to simulate the process of human vision, the input network of the computers has to have a similar chiasm. No other design can do it. Judging from the above, we can find all the human organs, structures and functions have shown the supreme wisdom. And these are the ways they should be. Some people think that human body has some useless organs, such as the thymus gland, appendix, tonsil and coccyx, in order to prove the human structure is imperfect. Some people used to believe that these organs were not that useful. Instead, they tend to arouse diseases such as appendicitis and tonsillitis. If these organs are cut off, it will not have much impact on the human body. In the past, people used to classify spleens and other organs into the useless organs. There was a list of useless organs in the past which included over 100 organs. But the list was long not because these organs are useless but because people at the time were ignorant. As more we know about the organs, most of them have been deleted from the list and there are only a few still remain in the list. Some people think that these organs are the leftovers of human evolution, which are called the “waste back organs” and use them as one of the evidences of evolution theory. This is a complete misunderstanding. Till not we have understood there are no such things as the “obsolescent organs”. It is simply the lack of knowledge of these organs. Take the thymus gland as an example. In the past, people didn’t know its function. Now we have understood it is the warning device of the human body against the inner and outer infection sources. As a result, the thymus gland contributes a lot to the human health. Another example, if the coccyx fractures, it will cause serious functional disturbance. So the coccyx is also an imperative part of human body. Some people might say these organs can trigger diseases. Then all human organs can lead to diseases, even brain and heart are of no exceptions. Why don’t we say the brain and heart are useless? Some organs, though they are not as important as the heart and brain and wouldn’t endanger life immediately when eliminated, are also useful. Just like if the hands or feet are lost, though not fatal, the human body is handicapped. After knowing the supreme and smart design of human structures and functions, you might want to know how they come into being. Who has designed and made such sophisticated and precise organs? We cannot avoid the question. Any truth-seeking person would admit that the extremely delicate organs and structures are not produced naturally or accidently. For instance, if someone gives you a top-class camera and tells you it is a natural one without designer or manufacturer; do you think his words are scientific and acceptable? The human body, which is even more delicate, accurate, flexible and practical, must have a supremely wise and capable creator behind it. On a spring Sunday morning in 1954, I saw a young stranger sitting in the chamber of a Church. When we started to talk, I knew that he was a student at Peking Union Medical College. He said to me, “Since I studied anatomy and physiology, I have felt the human body is really a wonder. It is not possible to understand it unless we interpret the wonder with a God.” He came to the church to seek an answer. The wonder of this young man is not the only example. I remember that when I was studying anatomy and physiology in school, some students surrounded our physiology teacher and kept asking him questions. Finally, the teacher, annoyed by so many questions, told us, “Please stop the questions because they will lead to religion in the end.” Because of the special political background at the time, the teacher’s warning silenced all the students. But his warning impressed me deeply and remained in my memory till today. My thought at that time was that the teacher was right because all the things were created by the God. Though he was not a Christian, he had to admit the truth and the further probe into the human body mysteries (part of the Universe mysteries) would definitely lead to the existence of the God (religion) in the end. Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain the wonders of the human body. The Bible says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”(1:20 Romans 1) Was the teacher demonstrating his scientific spirit? No. The scientific spirit means the truth and boldly pursuit of the truth without avoiding any controversy. The teacher knew very clearly that one more step forward would lead to the God but he dared not move onto the path towards the truth. Instead, he asked his students to stop there. It has shown that many people refuse to admit the existence of God not because they don’t have the scientific spirit but because of the social pressure, individual consideration for their interest and prospect, just as what the teacher was doing at that time. Nevertheless, the existence of the God would not change. And we cannot live in such considerations for the reality forever. One day in the future, when we have to face the ultimate choice, we will have to face the supreme master who has created the Universe and the human beings. The Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” If we don’t accept the immoral God now, we have no excuse when it comes to the day. When we talk about the origin of all things in the Universe, some young people often ask, “You have said the humans are created by the God, then who has created the God?” The analogizing logics seem to be reasonable. But it is not true. Because the God is the creator instead of the created, you can’t link these together. The table is made by the carpenter. But you cannot say the carpenter and the table have the same origin. Human benings’ understand of the God is only limited to the enlightenment from the God to the humans. Otherwise, humans cannot understand the mystery of God’s nature. The God says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Exodus 3:14 and Revelation 1:8). For the God, there is only the eternality, and there is no time, beginning or ending. Even in the scientific field, too many analogizing questions won’t be tolerated. One scholar was talking about the belief in the God with his students. One student asked suddenly and proudly, “Where does the Universe come from?” The scholar answers, “The Universe is created by the God.” The student continued to ask, “Who has created the God?” The scholar answered, “The God is Alpha and Omega and I am not created.” The student said, “This is not scientific at all.” The scholar then asked the student, “Where does the Earth come from?” The student answered, “The Earth comes from the Sun.” The scholar continued to ask, “Where does the Sun come from?” The student answered, “The Sun comes from the Galaxy.” The scholar asked again, “Where does the Galaxy come from?” The student hesitated and answered, “The Galaxy comes from the nature.” The scholar continued to ask, “Where does the nature come from?” The student couldn’t answer this question and said in anger, “The nature is the nature and comes naturally.” The scholar then laughed, “This is not scientific at all.” So we can conclude that the “scientific” answers are not scientific. Another example is that the sciences tell people that substances are composed of the molecules. Then what are the molecules composed of? The molecules are composed of the atoms. But what are the atoms composed of? They are composed of the electrons, protons and neutrons. Then what are the electrons, protons and neutrons composed of? Till now, we cannot find an answer to this question. The atomic physicists are now working hard to find the “elementary particle”. They are called “basic particles” because the scientists don’t expect the substances to be divided limitlessly. So they believe that one day they will find the ultimate component, the “elementary particle”. Of course, the scientists will not ask such question of “what is something composed of?” This is the extremity and everything ends here. The materialists claim that the Universe is limitless and that the materials are eternal and can be divided limitlessly, etc. They are simply the groundless conclusion of the philosophers. And there is an extremity in their logics, the materials. They say that the materials are Alpha and Omega but can’t tell where the materials come from. Now let’s have a look at the math. All numbers come from 1, followed by 2, 3…. You can’t ask what the 1 is because 1 is 1, and not other numbers. It means that 1 is the origin of all numbers. The Greatest Creator has created all things and the Greatest Creator is the origin of them. It will be meaningless to ask where the Greatest Creator comes from.
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2024.05.19 10:57 jenajiejing The Secret of Human Bodies – Examples Proving the Existence of the Greatest Creator
 | submitted by jenajiejing to primordialtruths [link] [comments] Xue Feng https://preview.redd.it/inye2mb6lc1d1.jpg?width=606&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=91a7161a35c1824c81442d04ca1efb17d2cbda20 Though the modern medicine has limited knowledge of human bodies, what we have known is enough for us to admire the excellent human body structure and functions. Each system and organ in the human body is designed by the Greatest Creator. Even those trivial body parts have great functions. For example, there are several types of hairs on human bodies with distinct forms and functions. The head hair is designed to protect and beautify the head. It can grow long. According to the Bible, “But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” The eyebrows can divert sweat and rain, preventing them into the eyes. That’s why they are lined above the two eyes. Eyelashes can prevent the dust and other things from entering the eyes. That’s why they are lined on the sides of the eyelids. Also they stand forward in a special curve because it wouldn’t hinder the eyesight or pierce into the eyes when closing the eyes. If the eyebrows and eyelashes are too long, they will hinder the eyesight. That’s why they wouldn’t grow as long as the hair or beards. The nasal hairs can filter the inhaled air. That’s why they grow inside the nostril and stand sideways and outwards. If they stand inwards, the other things will find it easy to come into the nostrils and difficult to go out. The armpit hairs can prevent the partial friction and help the sweat evaporate. Without the armpit hairs, we have to raise our arms. Otherwise the skin under the arm will become inflamed because of the friction and moist. Required by the function, the armpit hairs cannot grow as long as the head hairs, or as short as the eyebrows. Besides, they are soft and curving. If they are rigid and coarse, they will hurt the skin. And cilia grow on the intestinal epithelium. The cilia grow downward and vibrate together. The vibrating waves move downward from upward to help move down the intestinal contents. Cilia also grow on the airway and bronchus epithelium. However, they grow and vibrate in the opposite direction as those on the intestinal epithelium. Only in this way can they move the sputum upward to the throat and spit them. If they grow downward, the airway and bronchus would get stuck by the sputum and the humans would die from it. Now I wish to take two simple reflections of human bodies as an example. When foreign matters enter the nostrils or airways, they will arouse two protective reflections, sneeze or cough, which is designed to repel the foreign matters. But due to different situation, these two reflections differ in their approaches. The foreign matters in the nostrils are not urgent so the sneeze reflection can be prepared in a composed way. First, inhale slowly; open the mouth, and the soft place move upward to block the nostril. Then breathe in enough air through the mouth, and the pleural body contracts sharply to emit the air in the lungs quickly. When the emitting reaches its peak, the tongue rises abruptly to block the mouth to repel the air to go out swiftly through the nostrils. In this way the foreign matters in the nostrils are driven out. However, if the foreign matters enter the airway, it is an emergent situation. If the foreign matters are not driven out timely, the life will be put at risk. The inhaling is strictly forbidden because it will make the foreign matters go deeper and cause suffocation. So the cough doesn’t include the inhaling. Instead, the glottis closes immediately. At the same time, the pleural body contracts suddenly and adds the lung air pressure extremely. When the pressure is at its strongest point, the glottis opens suddenly and the lung air sends out explosively, compelling the foreign matters in the airway to the throat via the glottis. At this time, the soft place rises to block the nostrils. The foreign matters are spit out through the mouth. If the tongue and the soft place perform the same way as in the sneeze, the foreign matters emitted out of the airway will enter the nostrils, causing another trouble. In these two reflections, the body parts must cooperate closely. Any failure in the coordination will lead to the failure of the reflection, causing serious consequences. So these activities are not done freely. Instead, they are done as required by their functions and set procedures. These procedures are not learnt or practices. The program has been rooted in our brain nerve structure (nerve nucleus) when we are born. Otherwise, the babies will not survive. The advanced computer science has made it possible to simulate these activities. However, the simulation requires 3 conditions: 1. Device simulating the inhale and exhaling of human mouth, nose, throat, pleural and the sensing device; 2. The central control equipment simulating nerves and body system (compute, input and output devices). The above two devices are hardware. And software is also needed, namely (3). A program composed in strict compliance with the requirements to control the performance and procedure of each link, and arrange them in perfect coordination. All the three conditions are imperative. Otherwise the reflections can’t be realized. The program itself is not a substance structure. Instead, it is a smart use and spiritual result. There will be no such a thing as the program without the smart use. So we have to ask, the program is composed by the humans and stored in the computer, how about the control program in the human brain. Is it also composed by someone and stored in the human brain? Sneeze and cough are the simplest examples. There are numerous automatically controlled physical, bio-chemical and pathological human body activities, which are even more sophisticated than reflections of cough. Even today, some of them remain mysteries to us. So how are these sophisticated control programs composed? And where do they come from? Now let’s have a look at the sensory organs on human bodies. Why do we have two ears? The reason is that one ear is not able to identify the direction. With the ears lying on two sides of the head, the sound reaches the ears in sequence of time. Based on the slight receiving time difference, the brain can judge where the sound comes from. The auricle is the most outward component of the ear. It can introduce the sound into the external auditory canal. Within the auricle there is a thin layer of cartilage helping to retain the form of auricle, giving it wonderful elasticity and protecting it from the clashes. Without the cartilage, the auricle is just two useless pieces of skin hanging on the head side. If the thin bone is inside the auricle, it will break easily even if when you are sleeping on your side, damaging the auricle. There is fuzz on the outer segment of the external auditory canal preventing the sand and dust. The inner segment secretes cerumen to prevent insects. When foreign matters enter the external auditory canal, it will trigger head shaking, instead of sneeze or cough, to get the matters out. Because the external auditory canal is a blind passage, it is impossible to repel the foreign matters with air. Why don’t the foreign matters in the nostrils arouse the head-shaking reflection to repel them? That’s because the nostrils of humans almost lie in the middle of the head. The shaking is not able to produce enough centrifugal force. Besides, the human nostrils face downward and it is improper to repel the foreign matters by shaking the head. The sound is produced by the mechanical vibration of objects and is transmitted by the air fluctuation, or the sound waves. The human ears are actually working like a precise mechanical vibration monitor. In the inner ear there are a number of keyboards with different sizes, producing nerve impulses produced by echoing with corresponding frequencies. The brain, in accordance with the features of these impulses, identifies the strength, tunes and timbre of the sounds. We must note though there are many sensory organs in human bodies, only the inner ear is protected by the most solid and firm bones. In fact, it lies in the cave part of the temporal bone. Of all the sensory organs, only the ears monitor the mechanical vibration, which needs a relatively fixed position. Otherwise, it is not able to monitor the sound. If the inner ear lies in the soft tissues, when the sound wave arrives, the inner ear will vibrate with it. Thus it can hear nothing. Now the inner ear lies in the firm bone and it can’t sense the air vibration. So it is imperative to reduce the density waves to the mechanical vibrations before sending them to the inner ear. And there is such a reduction device at the middle bottom of the external auditory canal, which is called the eardrum. The eardrum has enough space to receive the air pressure. It is thin enough to vibrate when the sound wave arrives. Meanwhile, the eardrum is strong enough to push the transmission device. The long handle of the middle ear cartilage is attached to its inner side, the tensile force of which makes the eardrum sink inside slightly to maintain certain tension. This allows the eardrum to accurately reduce the arriving sound waves into the mechanical vibrations. No matter what the temperature is, the vibration function is not impacted. After the sound waves are reduced into the mechanical vibration, some rigid objects are needed to transmit the vibration to the inner ear. Of all body tissues, the most rigid objects are the bones. However, the bones are heavy in general and covered by the soft tissues, which are not suitable for the audio vibration. However, in the tympanic cavity between the eardrum and the inner ear, there are three unique tiny bones with delicate forms measured in millimeters. They are almost completely exposed to the air in the tympanic cavity. These three tiny bones are connected by ligament and form a transmission chain in curve with excellent audio vibration function, able to transmit accurately the vibration of the eardrum to the inner ear. The transmission device can properly multiply the weak vibration and reduce the strong sound wave. All of these structures are the super designs required by the acoustics. There are even smarter designs in the hearing organ. For example, to make the eardrum vibrate freely following the arriving sound waves, the two sides of the eardrums must be exposed to the air. As a result, there is a tympanic cavity full of air in the middle ear. If the cavity is filled by liquids, just as other cavities are, the eardrum is not able to vibrate because the liquids can’t contract. Besides, the cavity does not only need to be filled with air, but also needs to be connected to the outside world with a proper passage, to balance the static air pressure in the cavity with the outside air pressure. Otherwise, the air in the cavity will gradually be absorbed, causing the eardrum to sink excessively or damaging it. When the outside air pressure changes, (such as in mountain climbing, diving, the airplane takeoff or climate change), it will arouse uncomfortable feelings or lead to hearing malfunction. But the middle ear can’t be opened to the outside world directly, just like the external auditory canal or nostrils can. The reason is that the direct exposure will make the arriving waving sound reach the two sides of the eardrums at the same time via the external auditory canal and middle ear passage, counteracting the sound pressure. Thus the eardrums will not vibrate at all, unable to produce the hearing. So it is a difficult problem to connect the middle ear and the outside world. However, the human body, with a smart design, solves this problem. The middle ear is opened at the two sides in the upper rear of the pharynx via a half-opened passage (the so-called auditory tube). The auditory tube is locked in common times and only opened temporarily when taking the swallowing actions, balancing the air pressure in the middle ear shortly. After the swallowing action is over, the auditory tube is locked again. Apart from eating, human body would regularly take swallowing action unconsciously, even when he or she is sleeping. Thus the air pressure in the middle ear can be adjusted from time to time and avoid the hearing from being hindered. Besides, when swallowing, the swallowing segment and the soft palate will definitely rise, blocking the mouth and nostrils against the outside world. So on the moment when the ear and throat are opened shortly, though the air in the throat can enter the middle ear, the sound waves from the outside world are blocked against the middle ear. As a result, the hearing will not be interfered and can receive the outside sound and voice. Only the throat in the body can meet the special demand of the hearing organs. The throat is originally designed as part of the digestion and breathing system, it does not belong to sensory system. However, it can cooperate so smartly with the hearing organs. We have to admire the extremely delicate body-wise design. The vestibule in the inner ear controls the balance of the body. In the vestibule there are 3 semicircular canals. When the body loses balance, the mutually-vertical semicircular canals produce the balance impulse, which triggers the corresponding reflection via the balance center in the medulla brain. Why are there 3 semicircular canals instead of 2 or 4? And why are they mutually vertical? The reason is apparent. Humans live in the 3-dimensional space. There are 3 mutually-vertical movement directions, namely, front and rear, left and right, upward and downward. So the 3 mutually-vertical semicircular canals can monitor the movements. The number less than 3 or more than 3 would be insufficient or redundant. We can see the delicate and smart structure and function, and the supreme wisdom in them. They can’t be the accidental results. As the most important perception of human bodies, vision provides more information than that provided by all other perceptions. The vision is the perception of image and space and the visual organs must have the most precise and accurate structure completely different from other sensory organs. As a result, in the perspective of the embryo-genesis or neuro-anatomy, the main structure of the eyes is not just the common receptor. Instead, it is part of the cerebral cortex. The so-called optic nerves are completely different from other cerebrospinal nerves. In essence, the optic nerves are inner structure in the brain, transmitting the most sophisticated visual information. The eyes function like a precise camera. The retina composed of the photoreceptor cells is just like the films. The crystal, iris and the cornea works like the lens, diaphragm and the filter. However, the precision and automatic adjustment of the eyes is no match of any high-quality cameras. For example, the lens in modern cameras is made of special glass or hard plastics with fixed focal distance. When taking pictures for the landscapes with different distances, the lens position must be adjusted. Otherwise, the image will not be produced on the films. But this is an awkward approach. Imagine when the eyes are watching landscapes with different distances, the eyeballs have to protrude or recess alternatively, which looks ugly or damages the health and function of the eyes. However, the crystal in the eyes are transparent and elastic colloid, which can adjust automatically the focal distance in accordance with the distance of the objects to make sure all the objects can be imaged on the retina, without changing the position of the crystal. Such automatic adjustment function can’t be fulfilled by any camera. If we observe the eyes in the perspective of modern TV technologies, the eyes are more like the television camera, but thousands of times more precise than the television cameras. The TV image is composed of dense pixels (the mixed dark or brilliant light spots). Till now, the best TV image only contains less than 1 million pixels. However, the human eyes can produce image containing 20 billion pixels. Only the eyes can see the details of objects. No matter how clear or accurate the image is, it is still a plan view image. Then how the eyes can provide the dimensional image is a key issue of providing the complete vision. But it is not an easy task at all to convert the flat view image into the dimensional one. For a long time, people have been puzzled by how the conversion is done. Of course, we later knew the smartness and delicacy of the human body shown here. The two eyes send the flat view images they receive into the same nerve center, which contrasts and analyzes the images and judges the distance of the objects based on the slight visual angle difference caused by the position difference of the two eyes. Thus the dimensional image is produced. That’s why people have to have 2 eyes to establish the complete vision. Based on such understanding, humans have invented the dimensional movies. But the above is only the external process of how vision is formed. People have little knowledge about how the visual center works inside. We have to admit that the mysteries of human body structure and functions are beyond the intelligence of mankind. As a matter of fact, the distance judgment with two eyes is the triangulation technique which is precise and automatic. The accurate measurement needs two premises. First, the two eyes must focus on one object at the same time. Otherwise, there will be double vision, which means the one objects will be seen as two objects. As a result, the complete neuromuscular system is equipped on the outside of the eyeballs, making the eyeballs the most flexible and accurate organs. The ciliary muscle inside the eyeballs can adjust the conversion rate of the crystal at any time to focus on the object and form the clearest image. Second, the retina of the two eyes must be strictly symmetrical. Otherwise, the image contrast of the two eyes will become impossible. Furthermore, the images received by the two eyes must be transmitted at the same time to the same visual center for contrast and analysis. There are two visual nerves on the left and right side of the brain, supervising respectively the two sides of the vision field. The objects in the left of the vision field are reflected, via the eye pupil, on the retina of the right sides of the two eyeballs. The corresponding images in the two eyes, via the visual nerve, are sent to the visual center on the right side of the brain. The objects in the right of the vision field are reflected, via the eye pupil, on the retina of the left sides of the two eyeballs. The corresponding images in the two eyes, via the visual nerve, are sent to the visual center on the left side of the brain. The two visual nerves contrast the corresponding images coming from the eyes and produce the full-field dimensional images. The pairs of human parts are often symmetrical on the outside. Only the retinas are symmetrical in the same position. Namely, the left side is symmetrical to the left side and the right side symmetrical to the right side of the two retinas. That’s because the light rays come in directly. Otherwise, the visual centers can’t receive the corresponding images or get the coordinated vision. The structural symmetry of the retinas in the two eyes must be accurate to the utmost. Otherwise the images in the two eyes will not comply with each other and the ambiguity will occur. Besides, the corresponding images from the two eyes must be sent to the same visual center. Thus the optic nerves must have the corresponding special structure to realize the cross-transmission of the images. This is the unique “chiasma opticum” unique to the optic nerves. This function is not possessed by any other nervus cerebrospinalis because they don’t handle the information of images and space. If we use the computers and monitoring cameras to simulate the process of human vision, the input network of the computers has to have a similar chiasm. No other design can do it. Judging from the above, we can find all the human organs, structures and functions have shown the supreme wisdom. And these are the ways they should be. Some people think that human body has some useless organs, such as the thymus gland, appendix, tonsil and coccyx, in order to prove the human structure is imperfect. Some people used to believe that these organs were not that useful. Instead, they tend to arouse diseases such as appendicitis and tonsillitis. If these organs are cut off, it will not have much impact on the human body. In the past, people used to classify spleens and other organs into the useless organs. There was a list of useless organs in the past which included over 100 organs. But the list was long not because these organs are useless but because people at the time were ignorant. As more we know about the organs, most of them have been deleted from the list and there are only a few still remain in the list. Some people think that these organs are the leftovers of human evolution, which are called the “waste back organs” and use them as one of the evidences of evolution theory. This is a complete misunderstanding. Till not we have understood there are no such things as the “obsolescent organs”. It is simply the lack of knowledge of these organs. Take the thymus gland as an example. In the past, people didn’t know its function. Now we have understood it is the warning device of the human body against the inner and outer infection sources. As a result, the thymus gland contributes a lot to the human health. Another example, if the coccyx fractures, it will cause serious functional disturbance. So the coccyx is also an imperative part of human body. Some people might say these organs can trigger diseases. Then all human organs can lead to diseases, even brain and heart are of no exceptions. Why don’t we say the brain and heart are useless? Some organs, though they are not as important as the heart and brain and wouldn’t endanger life immediately when eliminated, are also useful. Just like if the hands or feet are lost, though not fatal, the human body is handicapped. After knowing the supreme and smart design of human structures and functions, you might want to know how they come into being. Who has designed and made such sophisticated and precise organs? We cannot avoid the question. Any truth-seeking person would admit that the extremely delicate organs and structures are not produced naturally or accidently. For instance, if someone gives you a top-class camera and tells you it is a natural one without designer or manufacturer; do you think his words are scientific and acceptable? The human body, which is even more delicate, accurate, flexible and practical, must have a supremely wise and capable creator behind it. On a spring Sunday morning in 1954, I saw a young stranger sitting in the chamber of a Church. When we started to talk, I knew that he was a student at Peking Union Medical College. He said to me, “Since I studied anatomy and physiology, I have felt the human body is really a wonder. It is not possible to understand it unless we interpret the wonder with a God.” He came to the church to seek an answer. The wonder of this young man is not the only example. I remember that when I was studying anatomy and physiology in school, some students surrounded our physiology teacher and kept asking him questions. Finally, the teacher, annoyed by so many questions, told us, “Please stop the questions because they will lead to religion in the end.” Because of the special political background at the time, the teacher’s warning silenced all the students. But his warning impressed me deeply and remained in my memory till today. My thought at that time was that the teacher was right because all the things were created by the God. Though he was not a Christian, he had to admit the truth and the further probe into the human body mysteries (part of the Universe mysteries) would definitely lead to the existence of the God (religion) in the end. Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain the wonders of the human body. The Bible says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”(1:20 Romans 1) Was the teacher demonstrating his scientific spirit? No. The scientific spirit means the truth and boldly pursuit of the truth without avoiding any controversy. The teacher knew very clearly that one more step forward would lead to the God but he dared not move onto the path towards the truth. Instead, he asked his students to stop there. It has shown that many people refuse to admit the existence of God not because they don’t have the scientific spirit but because of the social pressure, individual consideration for their interest and prospect, just as what the teacher was doing at that time. Nevertheless, the existence of the God would not change. And we cannot live in such considerations for the reality forever. One day in the future, when we have to face the ultimate choice, we will have to face the supreme master who has created the Universe and the human beings. The Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” If we don’t accept the immoral God now, we have no excuse when it comes to the day. When we talk about the origin of all things in the Universe, some young people often ask, “You have said the humans are created by the God, then who has created the God?” The analogizing logics seem to be reasonable. But it is not true. Because the God is the creator instead of the created, you can’t link these together. The table is made by the carpenter. But you cannot say the carpenter and the table have the same origin. Human benings’ understand of the God is only limited to the enlightenment from the God to the humans. Otherwise, humans cannot understand the mystery of God’s nature. The God says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Exodus 3:14 and Revelation 1:8). For the God, there is only the eternality, and there is no time, beginning or ending. Even in the scientific field, too many analogizing questions won’t be tolerated. One scholar was talking about the belief in the God with his students. One student asked suddenly and proudly, “Where does the Universe come from?” The scholar answers, “The Universe is created by the God.” The student continued to ask, “Who has created the God?” The scholar answered, “The God is Alpha and Omega and I am not created.” The student said, “This is not scientific at all.” The scholar then asked the student, “Where does the Earth come from?” The student answered, “The Earth comes from the Sun.” The scholar continued to ask, “Where does the Sun come from?” The student answered, “The Sun comes from the Galaxy.” The scholar asked again, “Where does the Galaxy come from?” The student hesitated and answered, “The Galaxy comes from the nature.” The scholar continued to ask, “Where does the nature come from?” The student couldn’t answer this question and said in anger, “The nature is the nature and comes naturally.” The scholar then laughed, “This is not scientific at all.” So we can conclude that the “scientific” answers are not scientific. Another example is that the sciences tell people that substances are composed of the molecules. Then what are the molecules composed of? The molecules are composed of the atoms. But what are the atoms composed of? They are composed of the electrons, protons and neutrons. Then what are the electrons, protons and neutrons composed of? Till now, we cannot find an answer to this question. The atomic physicists are now working hard to find the “elementary particle”. They are called “basic particles” because the scientists don’t expect the substances to be divided limitlessly. So they believe that one day they will find the ultimate component, the “elementary particle”. Of course, the scientists will not ask such question of “what is something composed of?” This is the extremity and everything ends here. The materialists claim that the Universe is limitless and that the materials are eternal and can be divided limitlessly, etc. They are simply the groundless conclusion of the philosophers. And there is an extremity in their logics, the materials. They say that the materials are Alpha and Omega but can’t tell where the materials come from. Now let’s have a look at the math. All numbers come from 1, followed by 2, 3…. You can’t ask what the 1 is because 1 is 1, and not other numbers. It means that 1 is the origin of all numbers. The Greatest Creator has created all things and the Greatest Creator is the origin of them. It will be meaningless to ask where the Greatest Creator comes from. |