Mostly modern depictions of historical medicine are done poorly, and done too much from the modern perspective of knowing so much more about biological processes, about working in sanitary conditions, of the biochemical mechanisms that allow medications to cure disease, of the current and heavily regulated clinical trial process, etc etc. They never get into why people thought certain cures work, that there was a lot of experimentation and theory behind it too, or that doctors where just not at a place along the historical progress of science to see if those theories were wrong.
Science and medicine is a PROCESS and we, like doctors in the past, are just one step along that process of learning. And I just wish it was acknowledged that all the advancements we have today are in large part because historical doctors and scientists laid the foundation for them. All too often, the trials and failures are chalked up to silliness, uncleanliness, and stupidity (looking at you, Sawbones podcast. I’ve rage quit you more times than I can count)
Also, the things historical doctors were GOOD at are never acknowledged. 19th century doctors may not have had germ theory or swore by the four humours and the like, but they were really good at things like anatomy, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without all their dissections and studies. And they may not have had everything right, but neither do we! There are still so many things we still don’t know, and probably have wrong as well, that future generations are going to look back on as us being stupid and primitive! There are literally medications (as per my partner Dr Zac) that seem to work, and are proscribed to patients, but we don’t know the mechanism behind them! Do they really work or is the placebo effect just really strong in those cases? We literally don’t know! We have very effective pain medications, but the side effects are so terrible they have caused an opioid addiction crisis in the US! Do people not think future generations will look back at us like “those stupid 21st century people! With their side effects worse than the actual disease!” just like we go “those stupid 19th century doctors, with their bloodletting and surgery without anesthesia! How barbaric!”
old world blues uses sci-fi transhumanist characters to explore the inhumanity and horror of 50’s nationalism and the futility of retro futurism and its so fucking profound and good i m o
bethesda: isn’t the fifties americana aesthetic so cute and fun? greasers! cola! jetsons! pin-ups!
Make them sit in their rooms in silent and do their homework alone
Side with the teacher and not get your child’s side of the story
Tell them that their grades are the most important thing they should worry about
INSTEAD:
Ask if they’re having trouble with other students or teachers
Sit down with them and help them with what they don’t understand
Speak calmly instead of yelling
Don’t invade their privacy by looking through their devices
Don’t take away their hobbies as punishment
Never make them feel unsafe or unable to trust you
This has been a message from a struggling high school junior that wishes their own parents actually did this stuff.
Bonus: Don’t look through their freaking backpacks. Chances are they know damn well they have loads of unfinished papers and the stress of knowing is so overwhelming they don’t even wanna look at it.
Bigger bonus: dont enable avoiding getting things done. Stop hiding the half finished stressors and finish them. Have a sit down that maybe they’re using hobbies as excuses and procrastination, instead of as a healthy relaxation and outlet. Help schedule study time with enough breaks. Help clean though that rats nest of a backpack.
‘Cause avoiding and hiding from it ain’t helping either.
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