Goertz Thoughts

The news that John McCain has brain cancer gives me an opportunity to talk about many things. I mean it's John McCain! There's so much that can be said about the man (in a good way). But since talking about a politician almost always ends up about politics (and I'm trying to keep this blog apolitical), I want to talk about cancer instead. Specifically, our perceptions of cancer. Cancer is just part of life for many people. As we get older, the cell programming gets a little confused (mutations) and cells begin to grow out of control. When we are younger, our immune systems can defeat cancer, but it gets sloppy as it gets older. And since each cancer cell is a clone of its parent cell, if the body misses one individual, it will miss them all. With increased lifespans and an increase in carcinogenic compounds present in the world, we will see rising rates of cancer. Already cancer effects about 1 out of every 3 Americans (I think. I haven't looked it up recently).

Last night I was listening to Fresh Air on NPR. They were interviewing the writers of the new movie The Big Sick (it looks interesting. I'll probably watch it). Anyway, they were talking about the differences of growing up in America vs. Pakistan and Kumail Nanjiani said that he didn't really understand movies with rebellious teenagers. He especially gave the example of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. His wife and co-writer, Emily, sort of scoffed at him for not enjoying a classic piece of American teenage cinema. I hear you Kumail. I've never understood the appeal of that movie. It is still on the list of movies that I dislike the most. Ferris's behavior throughout the movie is atrocious. He lies to his parents. He lies to the school. He mistreats Sloane. He bullies Cameron to the point where it seems (to me anyway) that he almost commits suicide. This is not a movie about teen rebelliousness. This is a movie about a jerk. Disclaimers: Maybe I am just too critical be