Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Dark Side Of Robotics

Computers, technology and robotics has transformed the healthcare business radically over the past ten to twenty years, and is growing exponentially. While it's been my premise that corporations are quick to institute robotics in the workplace in order to replace us pesky humans, I wonder if perhaps it's not just being done to reduce overhead, improve productivity, or for safety reasons?


ROBOT & FRANK - Stealing from SamuelGoldwynFilms on Vimeo.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Nobody Gets Me

Nobody gets me, or my weird blog. Except, perhaps the Redheaded Pharmacist.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Genocide: Worse Than War

I've discussed the horrors of genocide, and the human behavior surrounding it, a few times before on The Cynical Pharmacist. I'm always intrigued by human behavior and about what causes intelligent people to embrace the dark side of life.

Although originally produced a couple of years ago, it's just now that I discovered the documentary entitled "Worse Than War" on my local PBS station. It's a must-watch for the younger generations.

It's a film that documents the multiple genocides of our century, discussing the reasons behind them, why they continue to occur, and what can be done to prevent them. Although I disagree with Mr. Goldhagen's solution to prevent future genocide, I found his film informative and thought-provoking.

You can watch the entire film on your local PBS station, or the linked website. Here's a clip from the film of interviews with imprisoned murderers who participated in the Rwanda genocide -



There's a reason why I posted this one clip from the documentary. It highlights the mentality of those criminals who perpetrate these types of crimes against humanity. To me, most crimes are perpetrated because of two things - ignorance and selfishness.

If you notice in this clip, the one criminal discusses his crimes only as they relate to himself. He doesn't believe ignorance played a role, and doesn't see how he was manipulated by psychopathic leaders to commit his crimes. He expresses no remorse, nor empathy. It's all about him.

Like I've said in my previous posts about crimes against humanity, the small groups of selfish sociopaths and psychopaths who create these hateful situations almost never personally commit their crimes themselves, yet are still able to achieve their goals, and are seldom held accountable.

They're successful because of their abilities to manipulate ignorant and selfish people (video) into supporting their efforts and committing the crimes on their behalf. They find enablers.

And this is where I disagree with the filmmaker's solution for preventing future genocide.

To me, the only solution in preventing the further atrocities of genocide comes from within each of us. It's not something that requires "other" people to address and prevent, especially selfish, apathetic, or corrupt politicians from other countries.

Genocide would never occur again if most of us were a little more skeptical and less trusting, looked beyond our own selfish motivations, controlled our emotions, and didn't enable these psychopaths to suck us into their sinister schemes. It's often as simple as being aware, and just saying "NO".

Saturday, August 18, 2012

The Ends Always Justify The Means

I guess it’s all about the corporate dream. It always seems as though the ends justify the means with corporations. What we need is an honest, uncorrupted, independent candidate who'll speak the truth about what's happening behind the scenes in our political system.

I think I'm going to listen to my idealistic offspring and vote for Dexter Holland.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Putting The Past Behind Me

I'm tired of bitching about my career choice and I've reached a new decision point in my life. I think that I've said all that I have to say about pharmacy and will begin traveling down a different path.

So, I've decided to quit working as a pharmacist and am putting my past behind me. I'm not too sure what's on the horizon for me, but I can safely say that it won't be something in the healthcare field.

If you're wondering why I've come to this career decision, I'm pretty sure that my previous blog posts and Tweets explain it. Otherwise, this video pretty much sums up my journey as a pharmacist on the run, always in search of greener pastures that don't exist.

[Original video link removed by source]

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Don't Sign That Contract

Because I was one myself, I understand the excitement that many newer pharmacists experience when first entering the world of pharmacy and healthcare.

You've worked hard to achieve your goals and sacrificed financially for many years. Now that you've accomplished your goals, you're extremely motivated to pursue your dreams and take advantage of the many opportunities that are presented to you. You can't wait to get started.

But be aware. For every motivated and altruistic new pharmacist that enters the profession, there are just as many unscrupulous individuals, greedy "colleagues", or corporate minions counting on your motivation in order to exploit you.

These unscrupulous individuals understand that high intelligence is no protection from stupid behavior, and will stop at nothing to use your naivety against you. As much as they may smile, congratulate you, slap you on the back and blow smoke up your ass, they are NOT your friends. To them, you're just fresh meat on the street.

Don't be fooled by promises or dollar signs, and sign something that you may regret later on. There's a reason why they want you to sign a secrecy-agreement, an employment contract, or some other document relinquishing your rights as a condition of employment. And it's not to protect you.

However, don't just take my word for it. See what Dr. Victor DeNoble has experienced.


Source: Addiction Incorporated

Friday, August 3, 2012

There Will Be Blood

Looks like the Gay rights activists "kiss day" rally held to protest the Chick-fil-A controversy over the company president's stance against same-sex marriages might have worked. One of those activists sent me this alleged video of the company president being pressured into a change of heart.

A Divided Nation

The dichotomy in this country is becoming strikingly polar. There's a lot of ignorance and hate out there, and too many people seem to be allowing others to do their thinking for them. Personally, I don't believe most of us understand the seriousness of the problem and where it could lead.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Pharmacists | What We Do

It's that time of the year again - this month begins a new school year.

Good luck to all you first-year pharmacy students. You've gotten what you asked for - acceptance into a school of pharmacy. Just remember though, for as long as it lasts, a career in pharmacy can be a terrible grind if you're only doing it for the money, or if you're doing it just to please someone else.

But, don't just take my word for it. Listen to what some more-experienced, and possibly burned-out, university professors may have to say about what we do. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones.