M: Moderation

In Biology 101 my teacher explained the metabolic principles involved in the Atkins diet, which was becoming popular at the time. She explained the diet involved in cutting carbohydrate intake, which affected how the body metabolizes calories and uses energy. She explained that the Atkins diet was effective in weight loss, however, it was ultimately bad for your health in the long term.

"Don't do the Atkins, it's not a good idea. I believe in all things in moderation." She concluded.

The sentiment surprised me, because the teacher was obese.

(If this observation offends you...you have every right to be offended. It was the observation of a 15 year old kid trying to make sense of the world around her. I apologize for my thoughts...which I have never before voiced...and ask that you hear me out as I try to explain something that's on my mind.)

It was evident to me that this teacher didn't really know what moderation was. Or, if she did, she ignored the principles of it...which is basically the same as ignorance. I thought,  "Well, obesity isn't good for your health, either."

So which was worse?

1) Excluding a whole food group to get your weight within a healthy range, or
2) eating in excess in the name of "Moderation"?

(Yes, I do realize that some people have metabolic, psychiatric, or other health-related disorders that contribute to an increased body weight and that it is unfair to assume that they are all "eating in excess". I believe those individuals should seek medical attention and that the rest of us should pay VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY...)

Lately, I've been thinking of another question:

WHY are those the ONLY two options?????

I think the reason is because they're the only two options people feel comfortable with. We are perfectly capable of cutting things out of our lives completely, just as we are capable of over-indulging ourselves in something that we find desirable. But there is no middle road. We have no concept of what healthy (moderate) behavior actually is.

So, here is a little run down on the term.

The word "Moderation" is an action word, it refers to a process of lessening extremes.

To act within a realm of behavior that is "Moderate" we must be able to define what "excess" is and what "deficit" is.

 Dictionary.com defines moderation as-"keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense"


Wikinary defines it as-"the process of eliminating or lessening extremes"


But my personal favorite definition for this word comes from Urban Dictionary- Moderation: A virtue that permits all vices

Some examples of what moderation is NOT:

• An excuse to have another cookie/slice of bacon/soda because you had an apple this morning.

• Sampling a wider array of unhealthy things at the buffet. 

• Moderation is not a justification for stupid behavior because, "Oh, I haven't tried cannabis before."

• Dismissing or cutting people out of a group conversation because they aren't interesting enough. (Or alternatively, keeping your mouth shut when you have something to say because "no one will listen to me anyways".)

It really bugs me how people use this word as an excuse to do stupid things just because they aren't able to control their own appetites for a particular behavior such as eating, gaming, communication, or drug/alcohol consumption.

I watched this video thinking the point was going to be that one type of excess is "better" then the other, but they make a good point towards the end of the video. 

A principle that is important in the practice of moderation is restraint, which is something that I believe Western Civilization (and humanity in general) knows very little about. Moderation means making little choices that seem inconsequential but ultimately have a huge impact our health/well-being, relationships, and even our personality. 

Another principle is awareness. In interpersonal discussion, I've noticed that many people really do have a knowledge deficit regarding healthy behavior, resulting partially from culture they grew up in. 

I've heard people say "It's their choice how they want to live their own lives" but I don't think it is really "their choice" if they don't know any better. 

Here's to knowing better, here's to doing better, here's to being better.

Drifting

 

Four years ago, I got introduced to a science fiction book series about people in big suits fighting aliens.

(I even made a blog post about it)

It is not the sort of book series I'd expect to find myself interested in.

It's dark, chock full of it's own mythology and vocabulary (which it doesn't bother to define or explain right away). And the narrative is way intense; even leafing though the first few pages in the bookstore was intimidating as I tried orient myself to the story. However, I found it really rewarding to pick up on themes throughout the series.

After a while, I started to realize, "Wow, these books seem like they're all about fighting aliens, but really, they're are basically about brotherly-relationships."

(And that, dear friends, is how a fangirl is born)

Last month, I wanted to see  a movie because it visually it reminded me of the Warhammer 41K prequel series.

(because, ya know? People in HUGE robotic suits fighting aliens...kinda similar)

I was surprised to find that my reaction after seeing the show was pretty much the same as when I was reading the Horus Heresy series.

"Oh, my gosh! This whole show is all about relationships and getting along with people who are different from you." 

(Note: I realize not everyone cares about these themes in movies or books. Those people who went in to see an action flick (like me) but came out without an appreciation for how this story portrays relationships (not like me), might want to stop here before I fangirl your eyes off.

(Ahem)

Surprisingly, in science-fiction, relationships can actually have have a purpose other then for creating drama.

(^I am looking at this guy) 

Unlike Star Trek (or even Horus Heresy), relationships in this story are not the source of the problem; they are the solution to the problem(s). Emotional ties a are the basis for humanity's survival both on a global scale and an interpersonal scale.

In the story, the only way humans are able to control the Jaegers (giant robots) is to create a neural circuit between the two individuals. This creates a collective consciousness called, "the Drift" That allows them to control the Jaeger.

In the book version, Raleigh (the main character) likens the Drift connection to two people listening to, and enjoying, the same song.

NOT to sex. 

In today's world, sex is primarily associated with the fulfillment and gratification of self, drifting is about a connection between people...whither romantic or platonic in nature.

Drift partners:

• Jaeger Co-pilot teams

Herc and Chuck Hansen (Parent and Child)

I found it interesting how this duo shows affection for each other though caring for their dog, Max, rather then saying "I love you dad/son." Which would sound pretty weird coming from two, tough Australians.

Raleigh and Yancy (Siblings) 

This relationship explores grief at the loss of a family member. When you loose a loved one, you loose a part of yourself.

Raleigh and Mako (Friendship)

Mako and Raleigh hit it off almost instantly. They share the same interests, they have similar life experiences, they communicate in the same ways and they support each other unconditionally. 

Sasha and Alexsis Kaidonovsky 

Married couple, the ONLY romantic relationship in the film. They are flirtatious and work as a team.

Cheung, Hu and Jin Wei Tang

A reminder that relationships are not always healthy, the triplets suffer from Drift-hangover. They finish each other's sentences and play basketball in synchrony. 

While this seems pretty cool (at least to me it does), it makes it difficult for anyone else to interact with them and they beginning to loose their individuality.

• The science team: Hermann and Newt (I'm sorry this next entry is pretty long, I just found it more interesting because these "Drift partners" don't get along at first, and I think that's how it is in life sometimes. We don't have that instant connection, but we can form it over time.)

These two don't pilot a Jaeger, but they do use the drift to mind-meld with a Kaiju (The aliens who want to kill us all) in order to send a bomb to the Kaiju homeworld

(They're basically the heroes of the story, come to think of it.)

At the start of the story, these two character's are archetypal nerds, which kind of annoyed me.

They're antagonistic, selfish, and egotistical (Which is probably why it intrigued me so much; forming a friendship is sometimes difficult merely because of the barriers we create for ourselves.)

Of the duo, Hermann is the more reclusive. He has difficulty relating to people in general and is more comfortable solving logical problems then emotional ones. Even though he has a lot of family-drama going on during the impending apocalypse, he never confides his concerns with anyone. (He does, however, file several complaints about his co-workers disruptive work habits).

Once he enters the drift, however, his mind is open and his whole character arc gets dangerously close to being emo

"numbers are the language of the universe and they will hide me

I can hide behind them because they are never angry they are never wrong

they choose no sides and expect nothing

they are are purely themselves and will never betray me."

At the start of the story, Hermann is on track to becoming an emotionally distant, authoritative father and husband...Repeating a pattern created by his own parents.

Then he volunteers to co-drift with the Kaiju with Newt, breaking his character mold of detachment and intellectualization, becomes a hero (and also, a better person).

Newt is the POV character.

In the book version, his narrative is written in a rapid, hectic style and it's hinted that he might suffer from a mental disorder. He's impulsive, not a very well grounded individual. The only reason he is able to put his intellect into practical use is because of the positive influence of a family member.

While he openly disrespects Hermann, Newton acknowledges that Hermann is the one person who gives him focus in life and directs his drives in a productive direction.

It struck me that he wouldn't be the easiest person to be friends with, but that he's probably the one who needs it most.