I don’t favor the agonistic theory of literature or creative culture. Art can rightfully and productively be emulative, even imitative. Absorbing past masters and their works is nourishing, not stultifying, quite the opposite of alienation. Shakespeare is a perfect exemplar, both his own self as a writer, and us reading him. Just my opinion.
A distinct highlight of my neonatal-perinatal fellowship was meeting William Silverman. This privilege in part inspired me to design and execute a modest RCT that was published in a reputable journal, a thrill for a young trainee (not possible without mentor Adam Rosenberg and OB colleague Richard Porreco).
A delightful activity might be all our hospital and clinic providers, and healthcare administrators be required to read Dr. Silverman’s classic Human Experimentation – A Guided Step Into the Unknown. Last publication was 1985 which may strike Twitter/Facebook nation as old,…….but this vade mecum is as outdated as Aristotle’s Ethics, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morals, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Edith Hamilton’s The Greek Way……
As you formulate your 2021 reading list, consider Dr. Silverman’s primer,.…..I know we’re all busy, stress is high, demands many. Reading is enlightening, comfortable absorption of others. Human Experimentation is blessedly clear, concise, skeptically curmudgeon-ish,…..you don’t need to be a researcher or a doctor to profit from his incarnate data-knowledge-understanding-wisdom apotheosis.
So,…..three wonderful RCTs to start our year: 1) a multiplex RCT related to RBC transfusion practice in NICUs, 2) a RCT from India testing highly affordable childhood development tools, and 3) the entrancing “The Gift of Chickens” from West Africa.
Which RCT is the best value guide of the three?
2021 resolution – Sapere aude!
Mediocribus esse poetis non di, non homines.
Horace (65-8 BCE).
Joe Kaempf, MD
District VIII Oregon Representative
Portland, OR
Volume 13, Number 1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33382931/