May 25, 2006

• Free association, part I.

   

  Running from A to B

  "I once asked one of my students, what’s the quickest way to
  get from point A to point B? I guarantee you’ll give me the wrong answer. He
  said: going directly from A to B. It was wrong because the point isn’t the word
  directly, it’s the word going; the quickest way to get from A to
  B isn’t simply walking from A to B, but running." -Nobuo Matsumoto

   

  I’ve become somewhat of a true East Coaster in my dedication
  to shortening the time as much as possible between point A and B; hardly a move
  in the bohemian direction, but a very positive push in the efficiency direction. visiting stanford during my sophomore year, for example, made me realize finally the difference between the two ivy leagues of east and west; at stanford, the 70 degree weather made it easy to stay and chat with a friend of a friend for 45 minutes (me: don't you guys have finals?), whereas here, a wave would be luxurious greeting enough.

   

  A cultural shock: the inadequacies of public transportation.
  It is simply inconceivable for someone who grew up at 70 mph to factor in about as much travel time as time spent actually at one's destination. Albeit, my car back home (a
  ‘96 “Asian mom” Camry) isn’t exactly a 0 to 60 in 4 seconds affair, but driving for an hour on that darn thing, in any
  direction, would take me a) to Gilroy, b) halfway to Sacramento, or c) all the
  way past San Francisco and fifteen minutes into the bay. taking the T for an hour, in Boston, might get me to...maybe Newton.

   

  Ritalin and Adderall

  You lose weight, you feel great, you concentrate. How is
  that possible? Better grades, while looking great? The answer:
  prescription-grade amphetamines.

   

  Somnorexic or anorexic (or both), you’d appreciate the
  effects of this wonder drug if you’re even 0.1% affected by the media. My
  neurobiology thesis was originally on the underappreciated effects of these
  overprescribed drugs, which are the modern day counterparts to speed and meth
  (crude!) Though not as potent as causing the mania commonly associated with bipolar
  disorder patients forgetting to take their lithium, they really are the female
  perfectionist’s panacea.

  (until they realize the negative side effects, which include long-term changes in brain function similar to those induced by amphetamines and cocaine)
  

  MDs are the genetic engineers of today. Quoting my advisor:
  if I had a daughter, I would be super careful of these things. What little
  girl’s dream do they not fulfill?
  Better question: why are you considering prescribing them to her? 

  • 12:26 am
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