In early Rome, sales of goods were governed by ‘caveat emptor’: let the buyer beware. Caveat means ‘a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices.’ The word ‘emptor’ refers to buyer or purchaser. Buyers were advised to scrutinize goods before purchase, as sellers had few obligations.
before a hurried
buy… be aware!
A placebo is anything that seems to be a ‘real’ medical treatment -- but isn't. Common placebos include inert tablets (like sugar pills), inert injections (like saline), sham surgery and other procedures. What all placebos have in common is that they do not contain an active substance meant to affect health.
Researchers use placebos during studies to help understand effect a new drug or some other treatment. People in the study are not aware if they got the real treatment or the placebo. Researchers compare the effects of drug and the placebo and determine the effectiveness of the new drug and check for side effects.
Sometimes a person can have a response to a placebo. The response can be positive or negative. For instance, the person's symptoms may improve. Or the person may have what appears to be side effects from the treatment. These responses are known as the ‘placebo effect.’
Research on the placebo effect has focused on the relationship of mind and body. One of the common theories is that the placebo effect is due to a person's expectations. If a person expects a pill to do something, then it's possible that the body's own chemistry can cause effects similar to what a medication
Escape the deceit when it’s a sham
But placebo can
carry belief stamp!
- Pravin K Sabnis
Last June, cases of Covid infections was rising in Goa. In Pedro’s colony whatsapp group, a resident disclosed that he was infected and that he had gone into isolation. While most responses were of care, concern and offers of help and support, Pedro’s was of ire and condemnation.
Someone tried to cool down Pedro by saying, ‘let’s show empathy?’ Instead of calming down, the rage rose, ‘what do you mean by empathy? How can we let such people get away with careless acts?’ Pedro went on and on…
A few months later, when infections were going down and situation seemed better, Pedro was infected. When he shared the news on the whatsaap group, neighbours expressed concern and offered help. Pedro was not only grateful, he now knew what empathy meant.
Empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their point of view and imagine ourselves in their place. Essentially, it is putting ourselves in someone else's position and feeling what they must be feeling.
When we see another person suffering, we must instantly envision ourselves in their situation and feel sympathy for what they are going through. While we are generally pretty well-attuned to our own feelings and emotions, getting into someone else's head can be a bit more difficult.
Empathy makes us ‘walk in another's shoes’ so to speak. It makes us understand the emotions that others are feeling. Seeing another person in pain and responding with indifference or outright hostility is not acceptable. But the fact that we do respond such demonstrates that empathy is not a universal response to suffering of others.
Choose empathy not vile slight
Imagine self
in a similar plight!
- Pravin K Sabnis
Today is the birthday of actor-dancer Hrithik Roshan. He was born with an extra thumb fused to the one on his right hand, which led some of his peers to avoid him. He stammered since the age of six. This led him to feign injury and illness to avoid oral tests at schools. He felt isolated as a child.
All this seems far removed from his confident persona that we now see. He was helped by daily speech therapy to overcome challenges in his voice but it is pertinent to note that his webbed dual thumb is never hidden. On the contrary he has no qualms in revealing it to public glare.
A boy had an additional little finger on his hand. As classmates would make fun of it, the lad would refuse to go to school. The parents had the extra finger removed through surgery. The boy, now an adult, however keeps his hand concealed in his pant pocket. The eliminated finger exists in his mind.
The difference between Hrithik and the boy is that one reveals what is and the other conceals even what is not. One has accepted while the other cannot forget what is no longer there. Once we accept things different in us, the courage to reveal them will be easy. And when we reveal, we will have nothing to hide!
Accept the ‘difference’… don’t conceal
Freedom comes
when truth we reveal!
- Pravin K Sabnis
One of my favourite muse has been the great teacher, Savitribai Phule. Writings on her as well the poetry that she wrote, has been a guiding light. Once a friend asked, ‘was she the first woman teacher of India?’ My response was, ‘she was the first… but more importantly, she remains the foremost!’
Savitribai had many firsts to her credit. But she is remembered more for the things she did consistently with clarity of vision and commitment to the mission. She remains an inspiring icon, not only because she was first… but because she was foremost!
So often, so many of us want to get credit for being the first to do something. While that may be an achievement worth recording, the legacy is laid by the ones who are foremost! It is not about who finishes first. We must choose to finish well!
Only one person can be the first. But others can choose to be foremast. To be foremost is to give your best efforts… to be effective as well as efficient… to be above the ordinary. The first one is noticed immediately. The foremost one is lauded over a longer time… icons like Savitribai over a lifetime… and beyond!
while the first get an immediate toast
greater
applause is for the foremost!
- Pravin K Sabnis
