July 2006 | Mindful Living
Near-Death Experiment
A recent study from the University of Kentucky offers one possible theory behind a fiercely defended supernatural experience.
The study, led by neurophysiologist Kevin R. Nelson, sought to better understand Near-Death Experiences (NDE) — events defined as times during a life-threatening episode when a person undergoes an out-of-body experience, sees an intense light or feels a great sense of peace.
Researchers compared 55 people who have experienced the phenomenon with 55 people who have not. Turns out, 60 percent of the NDE-ers also experience REM (rapid eye movement) intrusion — meaning the dream state of sleep often seeps into their waking life. This finding led the docs to conclude that those who have undergone a near-death experience have less distinctly separated borders between sleep and waking life. In essence, those who experience NDE and REM intrusion get their mental wires crossed when traversing into consciousness.
Not wanting to discount the validity of an individual’s otherworldly encounters, Dr. Nelson adds the findings are simply a physical examination of the neurological processes involved, and do not negate personal meaning or spiritual dimension to the phenomenon. — Jessica Ridenour
Supplements and Surgery — A Deadly Combination
While some may consider plastic surgery the antithesis of a holistic lifestyle, a recent study published in the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that approximately 55 percent of plastic surgery patients, compared to 24 percent of the general public, take herbal supplements. Surprised? The study also reported that 35 percent of plastic surgery patients engage in homeopathic practices, compared to only 6 percent of the general population.
When you think twice, it’s really not surprising that those on the prowl for the fountain of eternal youth and beauty would tap every possible wellspring. What is alarming, however, is the danger these generally harmless supplements pose to those undergoing a surgical procedure. Many patients simply don’t mention their supplement regimens to their surgeon because they assume it’s irrelevant. However, many common supplements such as chondroitin, ephedra, echinacea, glucosamine, ginkgo biloba, goldenseal, milk thistle, ginseng, kava and even garlic may cause serious — and sometimes deadly — side effects during and after surgery. So, if you’re thinking about going under the knife, come clean to your doc about everything you’re taking. Only then will he or she be able to recommend an appropriate discontinuation period prior to surgery. — Jolia Sidona Einstein
And If You’d Like to Speak with a
Representative, Too Bad
Ever been on hold for 30 minutes while a preternaturally pleasant female voice promises you over and over that your call is important to her? Of course you have. Sadly, getting lost in an automated corporate phone system has become a quintessential American experience.
But according to Paul M. English, the brains (and heart) behind the Get Human campaign, it doesn’t have to be that way. Not if you have access to his consumer-friendly “cheat sheet” — a directory of codes for breaking through a company’s phone system to speak with an actual human being.
It started as a rant. English had maintained a personal blog for years, and one day decided to air his frustrations about certain companies’ “customer service” practices — and to share codes he’d discovered for reaching an operator through their phone systems. Word spread rapidly, and soon visitors to English’s blog were contributing their own secret codes. Since then, English has launched GetHuman.com, which now offers codes for nearly 400 companies. The site also enables visitors to rate their experiences with companies and to put in a good word for those companies that rate highly.
It’s no wonder automated customer service has become the industry norm — it’s a major cost-saver, just like out-sourcing (i.e. that customer service rep in New Delhi). But at what point does customer inconvenience factor into the equation? If Paul English has his way, the buzz around the Get Human campaign won’t just allow consumers to vent their frustrations — it’ll also send a message to businesses, to examine the “true cost” of driving customers crazy. — Andi McDaniel
Gore Keeps Going and Going and Going...
It appears that as long as the planet heats up, so will Al Gore. On May 24, his global warming slideshow-turned-blockbuster, An Inconvenient Truth, hit theaters (reviewed last month in CG; if you haven’t yet, go out and see it now!) The film shared definitive scientific evidence of pending eco-catastrophe — plus a host of solutions for how we can tip the planetary scales back in our favor.
Two days after the project’s launch, Gore’s book on the same topic hit shelves. And now his fight to save the world continues — he’s serving as a chief fundraiser for a group called The Alliance for Climate Protection. The group’s auspicious goal: to dump enough dough into marketing the truth about global warming that the American people are finally motivated to stand up and do something about it.
In An Inconvenient Truth, Gore implores everyone — from politicians to corporations to you and me — to use less gas, oil and electricity. His approach to raising funds for The Alliance for Climate Protection is similar. He’s not only seeking contributions from billionaire philanthropists and global businesses (such as the publishing and film companies supporting An Inconvenient Truth), he’s also soliciting the support of average Americans. “NASCAR fans, churchgoers, labor-union members, small businessmen, engineers, hunters, sportsmen, corporate leaders, you name it,” Gore told environmental webzine Grist. He’s banking on the adage, “Where public opinion goes, federal policy will follow.” To show your support, visit AllianceForClimateProtection.org. — Jenny Rough
What Counts — Trash Talking
2.5 million: Number of new plastic bottles used by Americans every hour.
6 Number of times more plastic than plankton floating in the world’s oceans.
46 million: Number of tons of trash created by Californians annually (enough to fill 2 freeway lanes 100 feet deep from the Mexican to Oregon border every year).
90 Number of developing nations whose combined GDP adds up to less than the amount Americans spend annually on garbage bags.
Statistics provided by Sustainable Works, a Santa Monica-based project promoting sustainable practices in the urban environment (sustainableworks.org).
New Life For Old Magazines
Got a mountain of magazines at home in need of a trip to the recycling bin? Loath to unload a year’s subscription of your favorite glossy at the landfill?
German artist Mareike Gast has created a clever DIY guide to reincarnating old magazines into chic recliners (found online at mareikegast.de/flowerchair ). The Netherlands-based Design Academy Eindhoven grad says she found inspiration from “piles of magazines in my room, but also the fascination for the strength of paper.”
The chair is made by dipping the edges of a magazine in lacquer and folding each page into the crease, creating individual “flowers.” Connect a series of these together and you’ve got a mod piece of furniture ready for MOCA. The chair may or may not actually be comfortable to sit on, so some creative cushioning may be in order.
Whether or not you decide to make a lounger out of the new and improved glossy CG, you can rest easy knowing it’s made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. — Jessica Ridenour
CONSCIOUS BUSINESS
Patagonia’s Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card
You’ve probably already heard some of the great green gossip about Patagonia: that their fleece is made from recycled soda bottles rather than crude oil, that the company has given more than $20 million dollars to grassroots environmental groups, or that they converted their entire sportswear line to organically grown cotton.
But the real shocker in Patagonia’s long list of above and beyond eco-accomplishments is its policy of offering free environmental activism training to all employees, and its promise to post bail for any program graduates whose peaceful protest ends in arrest.
Patagonia first implemented the policy in the mid ‘90s when three of their employees were arrested while attempting to save Northern Californian redwoods from logging. The company now offers all interested staff a civil disobedience training program taught by Ruckus Society, a nonprofit dedicated to providing environmental, human rights and social justice organizers tools, training and support to achieve their goals. Ruckus schools Patagonia employees in tactics for keeping the peace in the face of conflict and offers a clear perspective on both the risks and rewards of activism. “It helps them make choices that are in alignment with what they believe,” said Lu Setnicka, Patagonia’s Director of Training and Employee Development, a recent Ruckus graduate herself.
While no jailbirds have been freed as of late, Patagonia employees completed a Ruckus training seminar a few months ago in Ventura. The company audaciously affirms: “It may sound as if we are training and subsidizing a bunch of tree huggers, hellraisers and brassbound ecologists. We are.” — Jolia Sidona Einstein
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