Ray's X-Blog

Could It Be…? Check out Newsweek, June 8th, 2009 edition. Talk show hostess Oprah is on the cover; article about her on page 54. The slant? Crazy talk with Opie, taking her to task for promoting wacky cures. (Online version here .) For example, 62-year-old actress Suzanne Somers was on the Oprah show one time, talking up estrogen products: cream on her arms, a shot into her vagina. She also swallows a lot of other stuff, like 60 vitamins and other preparations daily. Why? To stay healthy and live long. The goal: to see her 110th birthday. So let’s say that Suzanne does live to see one century plus a decade. That would really p.o. the skeptics. But if she makes that goal, what could be the explanation? Among the possibilities: 1.] She was born with good genes, had access to good traditional health care, and all the extra “wacky” stuff didn’t make that much difference. 2.] Her genes were average but the “wacky” additions were very beneficial. 3. ] Good genes, health care and ...

Psychics Fulfill Needs She (they’re usually female) sits at a table in one corner at a coffeehouse. Or maybe she has a booth or kiosk set up at in outdoor pedestrian mall. She speaks confidentially with the attentive person sitting across from her, providing to that individual what can’t be found with a clergyman, counselor, psychiatrist or even friends. Answers. That’s why psychics have cornered a good share of the human needs market. I’m skeptical about psychics when it comes to their claims of “auras” and “spirits” and “karma” or whatever new age stuff they believe in. But I’m also skeptical of some parts of traditional medicine and psychotherapy. Mainstream health services have their own share of BS. When the professional experts fail, those seeking help might end up trying a psychic reading, another form of counseling or psychotherapy from what I’ve seen. Science and medicine can be like priesthoods with secrets and mystery. Take a look at the Diagnostic and Statistical Manua...