Category: Book Review

8 min read 0

Navigating the Mental Health System: An Interview with Jason Page on Chicago Writes

In a compelling episode of Chicago Writes, a program hosted by the Chicago Writers Association, W.C. Turck sat down with Jason Page, the author of the Mental Hospital Survival Guide: How to Protect Yourself and Others from Abuse, now in its fourth edition. Page, a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, has transformed his personal experiences into a vital resource for those navigating the often daunting landscape of mental health hospitalization. This interview delves into the nuances of his guide, the systemic challenges within mental health institutions, and the critical importance of self-advocacy and empathy in mental health care. A Guide Written in the Language of the Schizophrenic Page’s Mental Hospital Survival Guide is not a typical self-help book. As Turck notes, it is written in the “language of the schizophrenic,”…
6 min read 0

Dietary Impact on Cancer Prevalence: A Review of Research and Gaps

The relationship between diet and cancer has been a subject of extensive research, yet significant gaps remain, particularly when considering the variety of different dietary patterns and food sourcing. This article explores the known impacts of various diets on cancer prevalence while highlighting areas where research is lacking. Additionally, it examines recent studies on potential links between COVID-19 vaccination status and cancer prevalence. Dietary Patterns and Cancer Vegan and Vegetarian Diets: – Research: These diets are associated with lower risks of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, due to high fiber intake and reduced red meat consumption (Tantamango-Bartley et al., 2013; Key et al., 2009). – Gaps: There’s less clarity on the impact of these diets on all cancer types, especially when considering long-term nutritional deficiencies like B12. Ketogenic…
4 min read 0

The Erosion of Critical Thought in the Age of Overtime: How Work Hours Shape Our Cognitive Landscape

In today’s fast-paced world, where the demands of work often extend beyond traditional hours, the implications for family life, media consumption and societal discourse are profound. As work hours increase, the time and energy available for critical thinking diminish, transforming the way families engage with news and information, leading to a landscape where entertainment overshadows education, and where news can morph into what we traditionally recognize as yellow journalism. The Impact of Extended Work Hours Extended work hours have a direct correlation with decreased engagement in family activities that foster critical thinking. Research by Greenhaus and Beutell (1985) highlights how work-family conflict can result in reduced family interaction, where family members are too exhausted or preoccupied to engage in meaningful discussions or educational pursuits (Greenhaus & Beutell, 1985).…
6 min read 0

The Good, The Bad[ass] and the Ugly of Flabby Hoffman’s “Colony Collapse Disorder Vol 1”

Flabby Hoffman’s book “Colony Collapse Disorder, Volume I” published on November 24th, 2024 [Three Volumes published concurrently around then.] presents a satirical and highly critical perspective on American politics, culture and society. The central thesis revolves around the idea that a cabal of wealthy elites, referred to as “Ameri-Nazis,” has been secretly manipulating events since the end of World War II to establish a crypto-fascist government in the United States, culminating in the potential rise of a totalitarian Fourth Reich. The author, Flabby Hoffman uses a sarcastic, irreverent and often vulgar tone to deconstruct historical events, political figures, cultural trends and media narratives. The Good (The Thought Provoking Premises): The Fourth Reich: The book posits that the collapse of Nazi Germany wasn’t a defeat but a strategic retreat.…