SPA…. Socrates, Aristotle, Plato.  This is the chronological and philosophical order these three famous men. Who was the greatest philosopher? Why the last of course…. and that is without reference to a recent read of their works. (Plato's Republic was tough to finish as a high school student… there is no better way to ruin a book than to make it required reading) Each one built on the works of his predecessor.  It is the story of the progress that we call civilization. Each of us stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before us…. but only if we pay attention and learn from them.   I encourage you to read, incorporate what will work for you and pick up another book. Many of the self-help or business gurus are "One trick ponies". They found one nugget of "truth" or way of doing things and expect it to work for everyone. "When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail". Instead of standing on the shoulders of one individual and philosophy you will go higher by building a cheerleading pyramid. Read many authors and you will exceed all of them.

If you are looking for a starter book list try:

How to Win Friends and Influence People

The One Minute Manager

...anything about the Demming method...

The Seven Thinking Hats

Use Both Sides of your Brain

The One Minute Millionaire

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Come back after you've read these for your next assignment. (scool starts in sevelal weeks and I don't want you to get soft over the summer)

Have a super week.

1) These two new drugs will not bomb…

Two new drugs approved for dirty bombs….these drugs can be used for decontamination . The drugs "grab" the nuclear garbage and help eliminate the drugs. Expect the US Government stockpile the drug.. NEITHER are drugs you are likely to encounter at the corner drug store.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5942904

2) HMO to say "lets sleeping pills lie"…

 Sleeping pills …. expect more restrictions…

Best to turn off the cable TV…. go to bed at about the same time every night and get up at about the same time every day…even on weekends.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Feed=RTR&Date=20040811&ID=3906184&Symbol=US:PFE

3)"I'm from Great Briton and I'm happy about it.."

Crazy as it sounds fluoxetime, is showing up in the drinking water. No details on what is being measured but the metabolites hang around longer that the parent compound. With new scientific instruments very small amount could be detected. Very unlikely that anyone could get enough Prozac from the drinking water to have a side effect let alone any real effects. Sounds like tabloid headlines…. and they are.

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/35649.html

4) Seniors on drugs they should NOT be on 

Georgia researcher found that about 20% of seniors over 65 years old were taking a drug that could contribute to falls, deteriorating mental health, or worse. Even if drugs from Canada might be a little cheaper they still might not be right…..

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&ncid=594&e=8&u=/nm/20040809/hl_nm/drugs_elderly_dc

5) Old flavor for smokers…MINT.

No, not the mint that they pay for those nasty cancer sticks…this is GENERIC MINT flavored nicotine chewing gum. Should be out during 3Q 2004. Will compete with Nicorette Mint gum. (Both over the counter).

http://www.pharmacyonesource.com/members/work/daily_news/article.asp?category_id=5&record_id=115793

6) Before antibiotics for tuberculosis there were sanatoria.

Sanatorium were quiet places where patients could relax with a minimum of stress. Amazingly enough, some people were able to fight off the infection as their immune systems recovered and were able to remove the TB organisms. Drugs that work for arthritis by reducing the immune response are setting people up for TB infections according to the author. It is a sad fact that TB was almost eliminated prior to the AIDS epidemic. Here a virus reduces the immune systems natural defenses. (Speaking of sanatorium… I'm on vacation this week… repairing my immune system).

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&u=/nm/20040805/hl_nm/health_tb_dc&printer=1

7) Good fat news…

Patients with higher "good" cholesterol, High Density lipoprotein (HDL), had fewer stroke.

What can raise your HDL? Exercise, moderate alcohol (2 drinks of less per day), and some "bad cholesterol" lowering drugs.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&u=/nm/20040813/hl_nm/stroke_cholesterol_dc&printer=1