Author Archives: JR Stanley

Because it works. Although there are some medications with functions nearly definite and specifically designed (such as imatanib), many of the medications used in the clinics and hospitals of the world are used because they are effective in treating disease and have tolerable side effects not because we fully understand how they work. Aspirin wasContinue reading “Because it works”

Competition is a great motivator of productivity and new discoveries. However, differentiation of competitors from comrades can often be more difficult than it appears at first blush. One important aspect to elucidate to determine whether or not the goal you are pursuing is part of a zero sum game or if room for growth allContinue reading “Real vs. Imagined: Competition”

Often we think about what could be, the perfect way to solve a problem, the most ideal way to solve a problem. This sort of speculation can lead to new solutions to problems or can serve as an excuse to avoid hard work and making a difference in the ways that we are able atContinue reading “The best we have”

One of the desires of the human heart is for the promise of eternity. We hate watching one chapter of life end so much so that often we are dreading the end even while still in the beginning. Our hope is to achieve some form of eternal security, something that cannot be taken away fromContinue reading “Finite or infinite? the present choice”

Adept Adaptors One incredible feature of human beings that I am always surprised with is the ability of the human body to adapt to gradual changes. The body does not adapt well to rapid changes but can often find a way to change in response to a slow stress. A good example of this isContinue reading “Adept Adaptors”

If you were given the option would you choose to live forever? In the life that you now know? Or would you choose mortality? Believing that a story with no end is no story at all. I think that if offered immortality on this earth many people would take it. But they would take itContinue reading “To live forever”

Our perception of historical figures, whether great or terrible, is precisely that, a perception. We picture events in the past as being a certain way, often painting a rosier picture of people and events than is accurate. Reflecting on the current political climate is significantly above my pay grade, however one thing as been madeContinue reading “A review of history”

Often the words career and calling are used together. ‘Find your career and calling’ was a familiar catch phrase during my time in college; however, as ideal as this seems, the truth seems to be more complicated. My reflection on the topic, albeit brief, has made the phrase ‘career or calling’ perhaps more accurate. BeforeContinue reading “A career or a calling”

“We are what we repeatedly do. Greatness then, is not an act, but a habit” – Aristotle In multiple aspects of my life in the last year the importance of consistency over intermittent hard work has become apparent. Recently, while reading Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose,  Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, and Amazing Grace andContinue reading “Consistent and persistent”

G.K. Chesterton is said to have responded to the inquiry “What’s wrong with the world today?” with two simple words. “I am.” This must be where we both start and end. I am what is wrong with the world. My faults contribute to the brokenness we see. My actions, outright or inadvertent, cause pain andContinue reading “Myself, the problem”