The only thing that can be demonstrated by those who wear ribbons of a certain color to support a certain cause is how effective a public campaign is to those who launched it.
If we all wore ribbons of every color, on every day, we would show each other that we all care about all causes. That would save a great deal of campaign money that could actually go toward more 'research', and by research, I mean keeping those in the industry employed. If by wearing a ribbon we are raising awareness, why not just be aware of all causes at once?
Instead of spending so much money on campaigns, get people to print out a multi-ribbon sticker and wear it every day, or put it on a bumper or whatever. How can we 'not' be aware when the media can report such things for free, every single day? Forget ribbons, print campaigns or walks, just use good 'ol word of mouth.
There will be no accepted 'cure' for any blockbuster disease in our lifetime; there will only be 'disease management', which is clearly more profitable. The big corporations and agencies don't need our public money, they can take care of that. We, as the proletariat, can be made aware for free and the only result might be fewer jobs in the 'cause' industries.
Treatments for AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, etc, do not seem to be bringing the numbers down; some of these conditions are still near the top of the list of fatalities or major disease concerns in the Western society.
In fact, you can include modern medicine somewhere near the top of that list, depending on what info is actually provided and by whom.
When junk food companies spend more money on advertising and placement for their products in public schools than the government does on healthy eating, we know, at least partially, why we can never eradicate the blockbuster diseases with their blockbuster treatments.
Only through education, personal research, an open mind and a willingness to
question what we are told by the medical authorities and the media they control, can we begin to turn this gigantic problem around. I hope to live to see that day.
Science should include a spirit of healthy skepticism (paraphrased, Rodney Richards, designer of an HIV test).
Observe your surroundings, challenge everything, take notes and change what you can. Peace out!
- A Verbal Proletarian
