specialK wrote:

] Special K: You're way more tolerant than I could ever be. Many
] aspects of our culture are based on the blame game, everyone
] blames everyone else for their problems and its never their
] fault. Sure, I'm a little overweight too (maybe 10 lbs or so)
] but I blame myself because I'm too lazy to get to the gym. I
] agree with Acidus--lay off the pizzas.

Yes, it's a fine line, idn't it? On the one hand you have the absolute truth that genetics do matter. Afterall, our brains are nothing more than electro-checmical computers. If there's an imbalance of chemical production, or an imbalance in chemical receptors, then you have a multitude of issues. Broken bio-instructions, broken thoughts, broken attitudes. It's very hard to actually use a broken tool to fix itself, right?

But then you also have human nature in general, which is to be selfish, lazy, and critical. Sure, some backbone and some discipline tends to help us overcome those issues, but imperfection always gets the best of us in the end. So no matter how disciplined you are, you'll eventually blame someone else for your own misdeeds.

But I think the more appropriate thing to consider is that perhaps it's not bipolar disorder that's to blame, but just bad genetics in general. Considering that actually being undisciplined, irresponsible, and lazy are BEHAVIORS, which are governed by your BRAIN, which in turn operates only as well as your GENETICS and subsequent maintenance allow it to... well, I think you get my drift there.

But while I'm stream of consciousness ranting, might I add more root cause analysis, because it IS society that ultimately is to blame. Because we may be born to a disadvantage, doesn't in and of itself mean it cannot be overcome. But in a world that feeds us shit, rewards laziness and irresponsibility, and thinks that popping pills is the answer to every malady, it sure gets harder and harder to swim upstream every day.

Be punk. Resist the constant reinforcement to be a lazy asshole. You'll truly be happy and you'll truly be novel. But moreover, don't blame other's inability to do that for themselves squarely with them. Not all of us are strong enough realize it or do something about it.

specialK wrote:
] Special K: You're way more tolerant than I could ever be. Many
] aspects of our culture are based on the blame game, everyone
] blames everyone else for their problems and its never their
] fault. Sure, I'm a little overweight too (maybe 10 lbs or so)
] but I blame myself because I'm too lazy to get to the gym. I
] agree with Acidus--lay off the pizzas.

[ I try. For years i've worked to base my fundamental ethics on the principle of respect, and try to apply that as broadly and consistently as I'm able. I'm mainly intolerant of crappy drivers and Ann Coulter.

Not many would argue that people seem predisposed to passing the buck whenever possible, but that's just not what happened here. The man isn't suing McDonalds, the fast food industry, Sara Lee or anyone else for making him fat. For all the article's mention of it, he's probably doing little more than saying, "I've tried to eat less, but had an impossible time, and partially, I think, my genes are a cause of that." I don't doubt it at all. Which isn't to say it doesn't also have a social aspect, an environmental aspect, and so on.

For myself, I have fought low self image since I can remember, and I mean elementary school, and even though i have been able to recognise this, and apply logic and reason and a great deal of genuine support from close friends to it over the course of 15 years, i don't imagine it will ever altogether leave me. It's something inate, in part, and many people have, truthfully, said "Hey, fuck you, you've had a great life, so what gives?" but that's just not the solution. That's the analog to "Quit eating." and as much as it *should* be that simple, it's not always so. So, I try to use the fact that I know this about myself to modify my behavior, and hope that eventually I can train myself to naturally compensate.

Anyway, the point is that we all have our issues, and for the most part, we're probably strong enough to overcome our predispositions, even if we need some help. But assuming that such is always the case, or that it's as easy for everyone as it is for us is not really any better than any other prejudice. -k]

I would have to agree that people use diagnosis(plural?) as something which is no longer in their control. Especially mental disorders. It is a big business afterall (everyone is crazy, no one is looking for solutions, just a name for how they're crazy. ) The problem is, once some people get stamped, they decide that their fate is inescapable and either form drug dependancies or just generally decline. There's no easy answer for this problem either, because many of the problems are actually phisical problems (and not just figmants of the imagination). In most cases, including most normal fat problems, there is a compensation to create a balance which should create a better state of being. Although, once you're at a half ton, any solution would be drastic and there is very little you might be capable of doing by yourself. In mental cases, things like schizophrenia and psychosis are probably pretty difficult to treat without meds. Bi-Polar, Manic Depression, ADHD (or what ever they call it these days) can usually be compensated without meds, if a person was inclined to have the motivation to do so. However, its really practical to say, "I'd work on my depression, but...Im too depressed and don't feel like it." That's not quite laziness, but well...depressing. Excuses and pills do not inherently fix problems, but they will usually give a push in either direction.

skullaria wrote:
] There's something wrong with someone that weighs that much.
] Its not just behavior, and its not just genetics, not just
] environment, and surely its not just psychology, but a fine
] dance of causative factors.
]
] No one would want to be like that, live like that. I would
] like to know if this man ever asked for medical help with his
] weight.
]
] There are medical ways to deal with weight - medical,
] surgical, pharmaceutical and behavioral.
]
] Morbid obesity IS a disease.
]
] What is it that one person can 'shove twinkies in their face'
] all day long and not gain much weight, and someone else can
] eat one a few times a week and gain a pound?
]
] I'm all for an insistence on personal responsibility, but not
] when there is meanness and lack of compassion behind it.
]
]
]
]
] ] "Until recently, I wasn't able to see any light at the
] ] end of the tunnel," he said Monday from his hospital bed.
] ]
] ] Deuel, who has battled weight problems all his life and
] ] blames his condition in part on genetics
]
] Really? Genetics huh? Because I blame you.
]
] I hate these people who blame their behavior on Genetics."oh
] Genetics is against me! Its not my fault!" Fuck you, It is
] your fault. What about the people who lose their legs in car
] accidents? Every other day I'm hearing about these peoples'
] strength and courage to learn to live a new l... [ Read More (0.1k in body) ]

skullaria wrote:
] I'm all for an insistence on personal responsibility, but not
] when there is meanness and lack of compassion behind it.

[ Hear hear. -k]