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Andrew Belaveshkin MD PhD preventive medicine belaveshkin.com 📖Books: The will to live, The right food at the right time (⬜️🟥⬜️ t.me/belaveshkin)
Crypto as a form of addictive disorder. Internal dopamine Ponzi in the brain - the taste of free wealth with addictive uncertainty. https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/america-the-addicted
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https://www.belaveshkin.com/2024/12/the-first-lecture-by-randy-pausch.html
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Bad people tend to crystallize evil and support any form of evil and violence, even without direct benefit, simply because they derive pleasure from it. For example, Elon Musk publicly supports Putin and spreads Russian propaganda, supports Xi and deliberately opens Tesla showrooms in the Uyghur Autonomous Region, where the Uyghur genocide has been taking place for years, praises and supports the pro-Russian fascist party AfD, cheerfully talks about North Korea, supports Orban, shakes hands and supports Erdogan amidst protests, supports liar and anti-vaxxer Robert Kennedy Jr., spreads anti-Semitism and conspiracy theories, and has made numerous sexist and misogynistic statements – in short, the whole package as usual. So, if Musk praises or reposts someone, it's almost certainly a scoundrel.
Of course, it’s essential to understand that these are not absolute universal laws but observations. When someone praises or criticizes someone else, remember these rules – they can reveal many unusual and interesting things that aren’t immediately apparent. You can very accurately understand the essence of a person by observing what and who they praise and what and who they criticize.
From ancient times, warriors and kings used tiger and leopard skins to emphasize their status and impress those around them. Over time, this trend made its way into men’s fashion, and from there, into women’s. Let’s explore what connects a leopard skin on a winged hussar with a leopard print on a dress or lingerie. And why are snake and crocodile patterns so popular, despite widespread fear of snakes?
It’s well-known that specific visual patterns trigger stronger and faster reactions in our brains than neutral ones. Snake skin patterns and leopard rosettes are among the most striking examples. Even primates, like humans, react twice as fast to snakeskin patterns as to neutral objects (15 milliseconds versus 25). Moreover, snake-related stimuli are highly distracting during tasks, as the brain processes these cues through specialized neural networks.
Interestingly, even without prior knowledge of leopards or snakes, young children respond to their patterns differently from neutral geometric shapes. The “Snake Detection Theory” suggests an evolutionary arms race between snakes, which use camouflage to hide in grass, and our visual system, which has evolved to spot them.
Predatory and reptilian prints naturally attract attention and heighten arousal levels. How does this relate to sexual attraction? Arousal itself is often non-specific, and we frequently misinterpret it (a phenomenon known as “misattribution of arousal”). Studies show that when we’re frightened, we can mistake our physical responses (like increased heart rate and rapid breathing) for feelings of attraction.
Essentially, we confuse fear with attraction because both originate in the same subcortical area of the brain. Being mindful of this can help us avoid misinterpreting our emotions, which might otherwise lead to problems like Stockholm syndrome or admiration for an abuser.
Conversely, shared experiences of fear or excitement can strengthen relationships. Research shows that couples facing thrilling or scary situations often feel closer and more attracted to one another.
What does this mean? Our brains notice leopard prints quickly. Danger, fear, and sexual arousal are interconnected. To avoid emotional misinterpretation, staying aware of your feelings is crucial. However, when used appropriately, prints like leopard, snake, and crocodile can be powerful and fitting in their context. They captivate attention and evoke emotions.
Lastly, other innate visual patterns also influence us profoundly—from honeycomb-like structures that trigger trypophobia to the connection between sounds and shapes, as illustrated by the famous "kiki-bouba" effect.
The Saliency of Snake Scales and Leopard Rosettes to Infants: Its Relevance to Graphical Patterns Portrayed in Prehistoric Art Front. Psychol., 22 November 2021
Snakes Represent Emotionally Salient Stimuli That May Evoke Both Fear and Disgust Front. Psychol., 09 May 2019 Sec. Evolutionary Psychology
Snake scales, partial exposure, and the snake detection theory: a human event-related potentials study. Sci. Rep. 7:46331.
Pulvinar neurons reveal neurobiological evidence of past selection for rapid detection of snakes
Some evidence for heightened sexual attraction under conditions of high anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4), 510–517
Self-expansion and flow in couples' momentary experiences: an experience sampling study J Pers Soc Psychol 2008 Sep;95(3):679-94.
In Herodotus's History (Book III, section 80) he notes a key feature that is so relevant today: "Where laws rule, people are free; where man rules, be it the best of the best, they are slaves." Herodotus points out the contrast between the Greek polis, where power belongs to the law, and the barbarian states, where they obey the leader.
Anti-anxiety vanilla. Vanilla has been valued since ancient times—the earliest evidence comes from a Canaanite Bronze Age burial in Israel, dated to 3,500 years ago. Studies show that the scent of vanilla and vanillin itself may potentially be an effective way to influence the brain’s neurochemistry through the sense of smell.
Research has revealed that the scent of vanilla is the most pleasant worldwide across various cultures and peoples, from hunter-gatherers to Manhattan residents. This preference may have evolutionary roots, suggesting an innate comfort derived from its sweet and nutty aroma
The mechanisms of influence studied in humans and animals include increasing serotonin and dopamine levels, elevating magnesium concentration in blood plasma, and increasing BDNF levels, which are responsible for neuroplasticity. Vanillin as a supplement also deserves separate attention, but that is another topic.
1. Anti-anxiety effect: Significantly reduces anxiety levels in humans and animals.
2. Antidepressant effect: Reduces depressive symptoms in animals and lowers negative mood and focus on negative memories in humans.
3. Pain reduction: Decreases pain in rats, reduces pain in dental patients, and lessens pain during blood draws in children.
4. Appetite suppression: Suppresses appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods with prolonged inhalation.
5. Improved sleep quality: Slightly enhances sleep (likely due to a combination of the above factors).
Of course, the physiological effects of scents are short-term and do not replace other therapies; however, they act quickly and can complement the arsenal of fast and short-term methods.
Do you like the scent of vanilla?
P.S. A realtor's empirical advice, which twice helped me quickly sell real estate, is to sprinkle vanilla (vanilla sugar) in the entryway five minutes before a potential buyer arrives.
Fragrance administration to reduce anxiety during MR imaging J Magn Reson Imaging 1994 Jul-Aug;4(4):623-6.
The Antidepressant-Like Effect of Vanillin Aroma Involves Serum Magnesium and Brain BDNF (2018) Volume 8, Issue 4 ADV TRADIT MED (ADTM)2021 Jan 7;21(3):1–17. doi: 10.1007/s13596-020-00531-w
Vanillin: a review on the therapeutic prospects of a popular flavouring molecule
Vanillin-induced amelioration of depression-like behaviors in rats by modulating monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain Psychiatry Res 2015 Feb 28;225(3):509-14.
10 examples of how misleading and persistent health myths arise Part 2 .
6. Misinterpretation of scientific observations.
Fractional feeding helps lose weight and build muscles. This idea originates from observations of patients after intestinal surgeries (where they need fractional feeding) and patients with diabetes and low blood sugar. These scientific studies were misinterpreted and turned into false theories. These findings were generalized to healthy individuals without clear evidence. The diet industry promoted the idea—"eat more often, feel less hungry." Many believed (and some still do) that frequent meals "boost metabolism" by preventing the body from entering "starvation mode." Books like Eat for Health by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, The Bodybuilder's Nutrition Book by Richard Semon, and The Zone by dietitian Barry Sears spread these myths widely.
7. Misinterpretation of real-life observations.
Liver Detox. The idea that you can cleanse your liver and gallbladder of stones with simple foods (usually a combination of olive oil, acidic juices like lemon, apple juice, grapefruit, and sometimes magnesium sulfate) is popular. You may experience spasms and even see "stones" in your stool. However, these are not actual stones but the result of digestive lipases acting on simple and mixed triglycerides, such as those found in olive oil, producing higher fatty acids (mainly oleic acid). The process involves saponification into large, insoluble micelles of potassium carboxylates (lemon juice contains a high concentration of potassium) or "soapstone." Essentially, it is the making of soap, and the "stones" appearing in the stool are soap pieces, not gallstones.
8. Marketing
The myth of "healthy" juices. In the 1960s-1970s, marketers began actively associating juices with an active lifestyle and healthy eating. Companies like Tropicana, Minute Maid (owned by Coca-Cola), and Dole spread the idea that drinking juice (especially orange juice) is the perfect way to start the morning.
9. Religion
Since the 19th century, Protestants considered the classic Victorian breakfast in the U.S. to be "carnal desire" and believed that it led to disease, madness, and increased libido. Sylvester Graham (known for creating a biscuit-like cracker to "cure" masturbation and quell sexual urges), followed by John Harvey Kellogg and others, promoted "grains for breakfast" to cleanse the soul and suppress animal instincts. Ultimately, high-glycemic sugary cereals with milk and orange juice (which were marketed as a source of vitamin C) became one of the most unhealthy, fortified breakfasts. The truth is that replacing oatmeal with eggs helps people lose weight more quickly and feel fuller throughout the day without affecting lipid profiles, leading to less overeating. Also, visceral fat truly suppresses libido.
10. Common prejudices.
Cracking knuckles causes arthritis. Habitually cracking your knuckles increases your risk of arthritis. Studies, including long-term investigations, have found no significant correlation between knuckle cracking and arthritis. The sound comes from the release of gas bubbles in the joint fluid.
10 examples of how misleading and persistent health myths arise. Part 1
1. Typographical Error.
Iron in spinach. Spinach contains an extraordinarily high amount of iron, making it a "superfood" for iron deficiency. This misconception is believed to have originated from a decimal placement error in a 19th-century nutritional report, exaggerating spinach's iron content by tenfold. Additionally, much of the iron in spinach is bound to oxalates, which inhibit absorption (just as zinc from pumpkin seeds and similar foods is poorly absorbed).
2. Translation error.
The myth of the tongue zone. The tongue is divided into distinct zones for different tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and (more recently) umami. This map suggests that specific tastes can only be perceived in specific areas. This idea stems from a mistranslation of a German research paper from 1901 by David Hänig, which showed slight variations in taste sensitivity across the tongue. However, these differences were small, and Hänig never suggested exclusive zones for specific tastes. The error originated from a translation in the 1940s into a popular American physiology textbook, from where it spread globally.
3. Authority bias.
The myth of mega doses of vitamin C. Nobel Prize-winning chemist Linus Pauling, who published Vitamin C and the Common Cold in 1970, argued that high doses of vitamin C could prevent colds, reduce their severity, and even cure them. Pauling’s reputation as a brilliant scientist gave his claims immense credibility despite later evidence debunking them. Pauling himself got this idea from Dr. Irwin Stone, a chemical engineer who worked in industrial research, where he specialized in using ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as a preservative for food and other materials. He eventually concluded that all diseases were caused by vitamin C deficiency (called "hypoascorbemia") and actively promoted this idea.
4. Military disinformation.
Beta-carotene in carrots improves night vision. British propaganda popularized This idea during World War II to explain why their pilots were successful at night (actually due to radar technology). The story credited carrots to mislead the enemy and promote vegetable consumption. While beta-carotene in carrots supports eye health and prevents vitamin A deficiency (which can cause night blindness), it doesn't give extraordinary night vision.
5. Deceptive marketing.
Supplements for longevity. William Sinclair is known for developing various products, especially related to NAD+ and resveratrol. He actively promoted them without reliable evidence, offering them as treatments for people and profiting from selling patents and expertise. The industry of pushing useless supplements often involves buying commissioned studies and faking scientific research to deceive consumers. For example, the myth that shark cartilage supplements can prevent human cancer was popularized by the 1992 book Sharks Don't Get Cancer. Similarly, commissioned studies on goji berries, collagen, and other supplements contribute to these misleading ideas.
Штотыднёвыя этэры працягваюцца, далучайцесь. In English soon!
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Would you buy a product without a label showing its ingredients or expiration date?
Would you shop at a store known for frequent cases of customer food poisoning?
Would you buy meat with signs of decay and a foul smell?
Would you silently eat whatever the seller decided to put in your basket?
Would you eat food with glaring spelling mistakes on the packaging?
Would you feed your friends or children with food from the trash?
Would you buy loose cottage cheese from a dirty stranger's hands?
Would you pick up a fish lying on the sidewalk for your dinner?
If you wouldn’t do this with food, then why do it with information? It’s even more dangerous—spoiled food can be thrown out, but lies cannot be unseen, and admitting you’ve been deceived is far more complicated.
14 Characteristics of Fascist Thinking and Behavior (Umberto Eco):
1. The cult of tradition: Adherence to the past and rejection of modernism.
2. Rejection of rationalism: Distrust of science, promotion of irrational and intuitive beliefs.
3. The cult of action for action's sake: Prioritizing action over reflection or discussion.
4. Intolerance of dissent: Critical thinking is seen as betrayal.
5. Fear of difference: Intolerance of diversity and a drive toward uniformity.
6. Appealing to mass frustration: Leveraging the grievances of socially marginalized groups.
7. Obsession with conspiracy: Belief in a hidden enemy acting against society. (here foil hats perfomans)
8. The enemy is both strong and weak: The opponent is portrayed as powerful yet pitiful.
9. Pacifism is treason: Readiness for war is glorified over the pursuit of peace.
10. Contempt for the weak: Social darwinism and elitism.
11. The cult of heroism: Glorification of heroism and death in the nation's name.
12. Machismo: Sexism, disdain for feminine values, and denial of women's rights.
13. Populism and anti-democracy: Disdain for democratic institutions and praise for "the will of the people."
14. Newspeak: Simplification of language and the use of propagandistic slogans for manipulation.
14 Characteristics of Fascism by Lawrence Britt (2003):
1. Powerful nationalism: Patriotism elevated to a cult, with ubiquitous use of national symbols.
2. Disregard for human rights: Justified by "security needs" or other aims.
3. Scapegoating enemies: Blaming specific groups for societal problems.
4. Military supremacy: Emphasis on the military, defense spending, and militarization.
5. Sexism: Oppression of women, homophobia, and traditional gender roles.
6. Control of mass media: Information manipulation and free speech suppression.
7. Obsession with national security: Using fear as a control tool.
8. Religion and government intertwined: Religious rhetoric legitimizes power.
9. Protection of corporate power: Privileges for big businesses, merging of business and state.
10. Suppression of labor unions: Limiting workers' rights to organize.
11. Disdain for intellectuals and art: Anti-intellectualism, censorship, and suppression of creativity.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment: Harsh laws and severe penalties.
13. Corruption and cronyism: Using power to enrich the elite.
14. Fraudulent elections: Manipulating results and suppressing opposition.
The 12 Stoic Commandments
1. Who to compete with?
Compete with yesterday's Self. Strive to surpass yourself, going to bed even just a bit smarter and stronger than you were the day before. “The greatest victory is the victory over oneself,” and “one who conquers himself conquers the entire world.”
2. Whom to command?
Command yourself. The person who cannot command himself is a slave. "Who cannot obey himself will be commanded." "He who cannot command himself must obey. Some can command themselves, but still lack much to know how to obey themselves." Control yourself and observe the Stoic dichotomy of control - "You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
3. Who to listen to?
Listen to your reason and be inspired by the emotions it generates through rational vision. "A person must conquer his passions, or they will conquer him." You will rule over many if your mind rules over you. Reason should come from within, not from emotions stirred by the external world. If your mind rules you, you are a king; if your body rules, you are a slave. Ask yourself: Is your mind a slave making endless excuses, or a guide seeking ways to act?
4. From whom to expect?
Set expectations only for yourself, not for others or the world. Expectations from others lead to disappointment. Expecting from yourself sets a bar and a standard for your actions: What will I do in this situation? How will I behave?
5. Whom to impress?
Aim to impress only three people: your child Self, Future Self, and the Best Possible Self. Trying to impress random people is foolish if they aren’t who you aspire to be. Also, seek advice from this same trio.
6. From whom to seek advice?
Consult this same trio. Ask your future Self: Will I regret doing (or not doing) this? Will I be proud of myself for doing (or not doing) this? You can even call upon your Death and ask: Does this matter? Or, could you reflect on your Inner Observer: Do I like who I am when I do this?
7. Who to befriend?
Be friends with yourself. Often, we are our own enemies—rude, dismissive, ignoring our own needs. Remaining an enemy to oneself only makes it harder to build true friendships with others. Start with yourself, and never speak or treat yourself worse than you would a friend.
8. Whom to take care of?
Take care of yourself first. You cannot help others if you cannot first help yourself. Remember the oxygen mask rule: put on your mask first, then help the child. Your strength, influence, and resources empower your ability to help others. If one person becomes strong, those around them may be saved.
9. Whom to trust?
Trust yourself. Stop lying to yourself and letting yourself down, even in small ways. Keep your promises to yourself and avoid self-deception. This builds real self-belief based on true actions.
10. Whom to change?
Change yourself. Be an example to friends, children, and others. This is vicarious learning—just by living according to your principles and taking action, you become a more vital example than through words alone. Whatever you tell children, they will do what you do, not what you say.
11. Whom to judge?
Judge yourself. "If another’s delusion angers you, turn back upon yourself. Consider a similar failing within yourself, like valuing money, pleasure, or empty fame. When you find this in yourself, you will soon forget your anger, especially if you realize that person cannot help but be that way." — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. When you see faults in others, reflect on how to avoid similar ones.
12. What to do?
Do what must be done. What you personally ought to do, arising from your moral duty, values, roles, and skills. Do what you excel at, where you bring the most value to the world. Only you can do those unique things—from caring for your child to achieving professional success. To fulfill and maximize your physical and mental potential is your sacred duty to yourself.
Gray in the beard, devil in the rib - the elderly devouring their children’s future. There’s a common belief that politicians become more conservative, cautious, and less inclined to make impulsive decisions as they age. Indeed, the prefrontal cortex, the brain region involved in decision-making and impulse control, matures only around age 25. Yet experience is also necessary for wisdom, so in ancient times, one could only become a Roman consul after 42.
However, for psychopathic politicians who see others merely as tools or enemies, the story is different. Research shows that after age 50, 93% of psychopaths not only fail to improve but tend to worsen in traits and behaviors (99% increase in manipulativeness, 94% in antisocial behavior, 93% in emotional abuse, 84% in psychological abuse, 58% in financial abuse, and 47% in cruelty). Psychopaths are driven to constantly raise the threshold for self-stimulation to maintain the excitement they crave, leading to a continuous increase in perverse behavior. Why do they do it? Because they enjoy it, can do it, and often face no consequences.
Aging also weakens the prefrontal cortex's function, diminishing its inhibitory and controlling role, which leads to disinhibition. In severe cases, this can result in “frontal lobe symptoms” such as sloppiness, crude behavior, tasteless jokes, euphoria, lack of self-critique, inability to plan or stick to actions, outbursts of rage and aggression, and a failure to see things from others’ perspectives. Ancient philosopher Thales famously stated that the most astonishing sight in the world was an elderly tyrant. In antiquity, tyrants were often overthrown rather than re-elected.
Not all psychopaths, however, are hopeless: some can adapt if society’s pressure is strong enough and if punishment is inescapable. Some psychopaths manage to overcome genetic predispositions and lead socially successful lives. Brain scans have shown that “socialized” psychopaths possess denser gray matter in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, indicating a higher level of cognitive control over impulsivity. Interestingly, the stronger the psychopathic traits, the more developed this brain area is, enabling better socialization.
Regarding scientific progress, there is a famous principle named after Planck: science advances one funeral at a time. Elderly scientific authorities gain followers, occupy key positions, review articles, and often suppress grants and publications that contradict their views. Research supports this observation: following the death of prominent scientists, publications by their co-authors decline sharply, while non-collaborators’ publications and the influx of new researchers to the field increase.
painting of Cronus devouring his children.
P.S. Psychopathy is found in only 1–4% of the general population (rising to 15–25% among criminals), with certain personality traits found in about 10% of the population. Professions with higher rates of psychopathy include executive leadership (four times higher than the general population), law, sales, surgery, journalism, law enforcement, clergy, head chefs, and government positions. And if we consider a law-enforcement-criminal-government official, then it’s almost a certainty!
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Psychopathy and Greater Gray Matter Density in Lateral Prefrontal Cortex Personality Neuroscience September 2019.
Surviving Senior Psychopathy: Informant Reports of Deceit and Antisocial Behavior in Multiple Types of Relationships. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. January 2022.
Does Science Advance One Funeral at a Time?. American Economic Review. 109 (8): 2889–2920.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g774CmZpgLs
The lure of “free rewards” is powerful – “Vote for us, and you’ll get everything just like that and become great.”
2. Lower serotonin. Completely discredit the “here and now.” Right-wing extremists denigrate and criticize the world (destroyed traditions, weak leaders, oppressive authorities). Left-wingers also devalue the present (an unjust, corrupt, dangerous, unfair, greedy world). Religious fanatics see reality as a bleak imitation of paradise, the body as temporary, the world as flawed, and life as a fleeting moment compared to eternity in heaven (or hell). The aim is to instill guilt, dissatisfaction, irritation, and hatred toward reality, pushing people to despise themselves and willingly destroy their identity.
In this environment, people are pulled between a devalued reality and an attractive fantasy, which can lead them to reject real-life concerns entirely and prioritize a fabricated existence that better matches their idealized perceptions.
So what to do? What do I offer?
“... it must be remembered that we are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history, that we are in action at many other points in Norway and in Holland, that we have to be prepared in the Mediterranean, that the air battle is continuous and that many preparations (...) have to be made here at home. (...) I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: «I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.»
We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival”.
Belarusians celebrate Dziady (Дзяды), an ancient tradition of honoring ancestors. Like any true tradition, it should be a fire that we pass on, not ashes we simply revere. Let’s explore how knowing one’s genealogy supports health and well-being.
1. Increasing resilience to stress.
Studies show that people who know their family history often have greater resilience to stress. Knowing family stories helps us better understand our own identity, which in turn helps us respond more steadily to life’s challenges. People with a good understanding of their family history generally show higher confidence levels than those less familiar with their roots.
Family history research is correlated with a stronger internal locus of control, higher self-esteem, a better family atmosphere, closer bonds, less anxiety, fewer behavioral issues, and more effective stress management. Family history works as therapy. Studies show that those who participated in family history classes increased self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and improved resilience, with self-esteem rising by 8% and anxiety dropping by 20%.
2. Building self-esteem and identity.
Knowing one’s roots strengthens the sense of belonging to something more significant, which is especially important for building stable self-esteem in children and teens. Research in this area confirms that children familiar with family stories are more confident and have a stronger sense of personal identity. Researchers at Emory University found that adolescents who engage with family history “have higher levels of emotional well-being,” as family stories help to give a sense of identity and place in the world. Those with the healthiest identity development had strong knowledge of their family history. This is especially important as many modern ideologies attack traditional identity by breaking down the old and creating a new, distorted one.
3. Expanding the planning horizon and passing down cultural values and traditions.
Studying family history helps preserve and pass on cultural values and traditions. It strengthens intergenerational bonds and helps maintain a family’s cultural heritage. Studies show that the more children know, the stronger their sense of control over life, higher self-esteem, and better family functioning. “Hearing these stories gave the children a sense of history and a strong ‘intergenerational self.’ Even if they were only nine, their identity stretched back 100 years, giving them connection, strength, and resilience,” one researcher noted.
Strong family knowledge is closely tied to a broader perspective. You begin to evaluate decisions in terms of their impact on future generations, and epigenetic research shows this effect can carry forward for generations. A deep perspective on the past can help shape better thoughts about the future since, as we know, the same brain areas are responsible for recalling memories and imagining the future.
4. Strengthening family bonds and social support. Knowing family history fosters unity and closeness in the family, building intergenerational connections. This creates a social support network vital for psychological well-being. Studies have found that family history knowledge significantly correlates with internal control, higher self-esteem, improved family functioning, stronger family cohesion, lower anxiety, and reduced behavioral issues. Developing empathy and understanding: studying family history helps us understand past generations' experiences, challenges and achievements, fostering empathy and providing perspective for facing similar challenges in our own lives.
Family history is a tool for gathering additional health insights and a practice that positively influences mental health and strengthens resilience. A truly noble person remembers or has studied their ancestors, and making this part of one’s culture can be genuinely beneficial. Archive research, recording memories, and even DNA testing can help keep family heritage alive.
The emergence of the printing press was one of the factors that intensified and fueled hatred and war during the religious wars between Catholics and Protestants. The Nazis understood from the very beginning the importance of radio for brainwashing. Goebbels stated that "the future belongs to those who own the radio," and Hitler echoed, "without radio, we wouldn't have been able to come to power."
Today, we see how social media has transformed from a means of communication into an anti-reality and a tool for brain decay, archaization, and, ultimately, the degradation of societies that cannot protect themselves. The problem with modern social media is not that they want to convince a person but that they aim to deconstruct the person down to their worst primal instincts.
▶️1. More lies, less truth.
Fake news spreads 6 times faster than trustworthy news. This is because fake headlines are more sensational and emotionally charged, engaging users more effectively. Over 70% of users cannot distinguish fake news from real news.
▶️2. More negativity, less positivity.
Posts with negative emotional tones get 30% more likes, shares, and comments than positive or neutral ones. On Facebook, posts containing words with strong negative connotations (e.g., "horrible," "hated," "disaster") have 20% higher chances of being noticed by users.
▶️3. More hatred, less kindness.
Hate-provoking content is suggested first by default and is tailored to provoke the strongest emotional response from the user. Research has shown that TikTok actively recommends an incredible amount of misogyny, sexism, and conspiracy theories to empty experimental profiles.
▶️4. More polarization, less unity.
Politically polarized posts spread 67% faster than neutral ones. 90% of messages inciting mass hatred were fake. Over 64% of people joined hate-provoking polarized communities by algorithmic recommendation.
▶️5. More online, less in person.
Online content significantly outpaces real-life interactions. Online: about 46 hours a week. In-person communication: 8-20 hours a week (including work interactions). The average modern person spends 2-5 times more time online than face-to-face.
▶️6. More passivity, less choice.
The user doesn’t choose what to watch but passively consumes what social networks suggest. 70% of content on YouTube, 90% on Instagram, and 99% on TikTok comes from recommended videos suggested by algorithms. Social media owners fully and indefinitely control what others see, shaping their opinions. Imagine if 90% of products were placed in your cart without your consent in a store? You'd be feeding this into your mind.
▶️7. More bots, fewer humans.
At least 50% of political debate discussions, comments, likes, and reposts are made by bots, not real people. Estimates suggest that 5-25% of profiles on social media are bot networks used to manipulate public opinion. Their content is generated by AI, and they are active in all languages and adapt to various user groups. AI is more likely to persuade a person than a real person online.
▶️8. More diseases, less health.
Excessive use of social media is linked to the risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep disorders, attention and concentration problems, and increased suggestibility. Even a short break from social media noticeably improves well-being.
📖Opinion amplification causes extreme polarization in social networks Scientific Reports volume 12, Article number: 18131 (2022)
How algorithms popularise and gamify online hate and misogyny for young people
The spread of true and false news online Science 2018 Mar 9;359(6380):1146-1151. https://open.substack.com/pub/belaveshkin/p/the-future-belongs-to-those-who-own
Today, December 21, as it has for over four thousand years, the sun's rays align precisely on the day of the winter solstice to illuminate the face of the sun god Amun in the Luxor Temple for 20 minutes. For the ancient Egyptians, events from their religious texts were literally embodied in the heavens and could be observed as stars, planets, and their movements. The Correlation Theory (not scientifically proven and regarded skeptically by many scholars) posits that the pyramids were built according to a unified plan: the Milky Way was perceived by the Egyptians as the celestial Nile, while the layout of the pyramids symbolized the god Osiris, the lord of the celestial realm and a symbol of rebirth.
Osiris was a god who helped the Egyptians, but his brother Seth, consumed by envy, attacked him, cutting his body into 14 pieces and scattering them across Egypt. Each part of his body was possibly associated with a specific location tied to mythological or religious significance. Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, was associated with the goddess Isis, Osiris’s wife. She gathered the scattered pieces, embalmed them, and was able to briefly revive her husband to conceive their son.
This theory suggests that the Egyptians may have viewed the pyramids and significant temples as symbolic "fragments" of Osiris's body, placed across Egypt (with the pyramids of Giza representing Orion’s Belt) along the Nile (the celestial Milky Way). The goal was to sanctify the land of Egypt, making it a reflection of cosmic order and the divine body—a component of a grand project to bring the god back to earth.
By the time of Christianity, people still looked to the heavens, but the narrative had become simpler. Instead of Isis (Sirius), there was the Star of Bethlehem in the east; instead of Osiris, Orion’s Belt or the three kings (wise men). During the winter months, it can be observed that a line drawn through these three stars indeed points to the spot where the Sun rises.
This phenomenon becomes particularly noticeable around the winter solstice (approximately December 21-22), when the Sun's position on the horizon at sunrise aligns with the direction indicated by Orion’s Belt. In this sense, the three kings, guided by the star, truly arrive at the birthplace of the god (the new sun).
How do you quickly understand a person? Listen to whom he praises and whom he scolds. Plato stated that "like attracts like," meaning that people with similar qualities are naturally drawn to each other. It can be not easy to discern people’s intentions. Even in ancient times, simple methods were developed to help evaluate praise and criticism, to understand what is what. To do so, one needs to pay attention to three things: who is praising or criticizing, who likes whom, how the subject and object are related or connected, and finally, where the action is directed – at the person or at the deed.
Xenophon mentioned the principle of Spartan King Agesilaus: "When he heard someone criticize or praise a person, he considered it equally important for himself to have a clear understanding of both those who were giving the praise or criticism and those who were being praised or criticized." The life-hardened writer Henry Fielding described this asymmetry: "Slander from some masters is as good a recommendation as praise from others."
1. "Condemnation by fools is praise." So, if you are being actively and relentlessly criticized, condemned, or denounced by "fools" (enemies, people you do not want to resemble, your opponents), it is likely that you are doing things right.
2. If you are praised by people who are role models, experts, or specialists, it is likely well-deserved praise. Roman poet Gnaeus wrote, "praise from people worthy of praise is pleasant." As Cervantes noted, "praise is only good when the one who praises is good." Criticism from such people is usually truthful and accurate, and it is crucial to accept it and thank them.
3. If you are praised by your enemies, your opponents, you will likely have made a mistake and failed to notice it. You may have acted in their interests and become a “useful idiot.” “If your enemy praises you, you’ve made a fool of yourself.” Your opponents' praise push you to make more mistakes and foolishness.
4. Dependency and interest (financial or otherwise) or personal bias of the person praising or criticizing.
If the person offering their opinion is financially interested, there is no point in listening to them. It is no coincidence that even in science, results of company-funded research and independent studies can differ so dramatically. Similarly, praise from someone who owes you something may be mere formality. The physician and encyclopedist Abu al-Faraj correctly observed that “the best praise is that which comes from a person to whom you have done nothing good.”
5. Where is the praise directed? The action or the person?
Any praise or criticism that is ad hominem is meaningless by default. When discussing actions, focusing on their results and intent is essential. I cannot avoid quoting one of my favorite Stoics, Montaigne: “It is the deed that deserves praise, not the person.”
6. If you like bad people, praise them; you are likely a bad person (and vice versa).
Therefore, it is not surprising that criminals and psychopaths of all kinds adore Putin, including Musk and Trump. The same applies if you are attracted to violence, rudeness, and mockery. Yes, Trump’s fans likely are either deceived or bad people (i.e., people inclined to use lies, violence, and rudeness in their everyday lives). Therefore, I have bad news if you like people like Lu, Pu, Xi, etc.. If you dislike a good person for no reason, it may also indicate an internal trauma or an exaggerated projection of your psyche. Once again, for healthy ethics, it is natural not to like and feel disgust towards bad people and to prefer good ones.
7. Who is around this person? Honest, good people, or liars and criminals?
The people a person surrounds themselves with and the company they keep reflect their true nature. "From the nature of his ministers, a prince is to be judged of." This idea appears in chapter 22 of The Prince, where Machiavelli discusses how a ruler’s ability to choose competent advisors reflects his wisdom and leadership capacity.
Do you know how to use this?
Don’t destroy a rule or tradition if you don’t understand why it’s there in the first place. (Chesterton's fence)
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Your best advisor is the best version of your future self. Aim to impress only three people: your child Self, Future Self, and the Best Possible Self. Trying to impress random people is foolish if they aren’t who you aspire to be. Also, seek advice from this same trio. Follow for more visuals in Rewellme app!
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Sic semper tyrannis is a latin phrase meaning "thus always to tyrants". In contemporary parlance, it means tyrannical leaders will inevitably be overthrown. The phrase also suggests that bad but justified outcomes should, or eventually will, befall tyrants.
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The myth of "healthy" juices. In the 1960s-1970s, marketers began actively associating juices with an active lifestyle and healthy eating. Companies like Tropicana, Minute Maid (owned by Coca-Cola), and Dole spread the idea that drinking juice (especially orange juice) is the perfect way to start the morning.
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The most underrated feeling with amazing health benefits. https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Awe_FINAL.pdf
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Science may seem far from creativity, but that is not always true. In the past, many scientific experiments were public performances. Anatomical dissections could be witnessed in a theater by purchasing a ticket, and many physics demonstrations were conducted in public squares in front of crowds. Anyone could personally witness a scientific experiment rather than just read about it in a book.
As for the social sciences, ancient Greek dramas were initially conceived as entertainment and therapeutic exercises. By exploring intense emotions and the strengths and weaknesses of characters, audiences learn to see these traits in themselves. The Greeks considered catharsis a vital therapeutic tool—"purification" or "cleansing," often referring to releasing emotions through their expression.
Today, we see the close relationship between Philip Zimbardo's social experiments and Marina Abramović's performances. Experiments become performances, and performances turn into scientific experiments, revealing hidden aspects of human nature unexpectedly and prompting us to reconsider what we observe.
This brings me to a performance by Belarusian artist Vladislav Bokhan, which helps us understand the depth of his creativity. While the media mocks "tin foil hats," the concept is much deeper. The performance consists of 14 separate actions, each illustrating one of the 14 characteristics of fascism as outlined in Umberto Eco's essay (point 7 below). Each action vividly demonstrates aspects of everyday Russian fascism (Rashism).
One of these actions, "Tin Foil Hats: The Helmet of the Motherland," illustrates the fascist fixation on conspiracy theories—a belief in a powerful enemy waging a deadly war against us through secret plots. Tin foil hats are presented as protection from invisible NATO satellite electromagnetic impulses. Belief in conspiracy theories serves as a strong predictive indicator: since 2011, references to conspiracy theories and sales of books on the topic in Russia have increased 6–9 times (!). Following Bokhan's work allows you to explore the realization of the other characteristics.
Do not mix or the hedonic escalation effect. A single dopamine trigger often has a mild impact by itself. However, a combination of triggers can create the effect of a "sum of pleasure" or "hedonic escalation," where the combined impact becomes intense, leading to uncontrolled consumption. This could involve certain pastimes (like binge-watching a series with alcohol and pizza) or specific recipes (such as salted caramel), and so on.
How does it work? We can get satiated with one or two triggers when they’re not constantly available. For example, fruits and honey are only accessible in autumn, fruits start sour and later turn sweet, and meat is fatty. This is why we quickly become oversaturated when we eat just one ingredient: pure sugar, caffeine, or salt. But carefully crafted combinations break this natural satiety. When industries combine many unpredictably strange, stimulating ingredients into a single product, it creates the effect of "sum of pleasure" or "hedonic escalation."
Social media algorithms also combine odd triggers (like music, faces, motion, and words) to extract every last drop of dopamine from an already drained brain, emptying it until there’s no will to live left. Such combinations give rise to strange super-stimuli of sexual attraction or an idealized image of an enemy—these principles apply in every aspect of life. Take the familiar Coca-Cola and let’s examine its addictive ingredients one by one.
1. Sugar. 106 grams per liter. Enough said about liquid sugar, let’s move on.
2. Caffeine. 96 mg per liter. How much is this? A cup of black tea has 40 mg.
3. Caramel coloring. Caramel as a food additive is produced by heating sugar. It adds intense color and aroma, found in beer, condensed milk, soy sauce, etc. Our brain loves anything roasted, so the smell of roasted sugar increases appetite, making caramel coloring not just a dye.
4. Phosphoric acid. This acid serves two primary purposes: it masks the sugar; without acid, you couldn’t drink a liter of 10% sugar solution. Acidic juices completely hide excessive sweetness, prompting overconsumption. A slight acidity enhances taste, making the product more appealing and desirable.
5. Carbonation. Carbonated water increases the hunger hormone ghrelin by 50% in people, making neurons more sensitive to dopamine.
6. Sodium. A liter of cola contains 100 mg of sodium, comparable to a pinch of salt (150 mg). Adding salt to any food enhances overconsumption, and when combined with sugar, it boosts addictive properties. Furthermore, a bit of salt increases sensitivity to sugar.
7. Marketing and advertising. Product taste depends on what we see. Studies show that different labels on the same wine bottle trigger different dopamine responses in tasters. Coca-Cola’s intensely aggressive marketing is best illustrated by a single number: by age 18, the average American has seen the Coke brand 10 million times.
Hedonic escalation: When food just tastes better and better. C Crolic, C Janiszewski. Journal of Consumer Research 43 (3), 388-406, 2016.
The evolution of sour taste Proc Biol Sci 2022 Feb 9;289(1968):20211918. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1918
Carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages induces ghrelin release and increased food consumption in male rats: Implications on the onset of obesity Obes Res Clin Pract 2017 Sep-Oct;11(5):534-543.
Rose-colored glasses beat the glass inwards. Or - payment for illusions is a reality for which you are not prepared for. It is always surprising how people expect goodness and well-being from pathological liars, criminals, clinical sociopaths.
It's like fish believing the fisherman that he came to feed them. They open wide their mouths for free money (or the promises of a populist), and then complain that they were gutted and fried.
A healthy reaction to a freebie being shoved into your mouth is not salivation, but clenching your teeth so as not to swallow the hook
The dopamine-serotonin swing: from drugs to ideologies. Our brain uses different neurotransmitter systems to interact with what lies at a distance from us. There's the “here-and-now, accessible” the liking system (oxytocin, endorphins, serotonin) – and the “future, not-here, unavailable” system – the wanting system (dopamine). The first system is active when we’re mindful, accepting reality, and present. When we slip into rumination, anxiety, or fantasy, the second system kicks in. Typically, we live mostly in the present, occasionally switching to the dopamine system for goal-setting, desires, forecasting, and planning, and then return to the present (this is a simplified explanation).
Historically, escaping from reality was difficult due to its intense demands – survival, food gathering, mating, navigating threats – forcing us to remain grounded in the “here-and-now” with only brief ventures into fantasy. This created a vulnerability in our brains: a lack of brakes when consciousness and attention slip into fantasy. This works at the neurotransmitter level too – the less satisfaction you derive from the present (oxytocin for social connection, endorphins for savoring experiences, serotonin for status), the more appealing dopamine temptations become, and so does the virtual reality they promise.
The less people engage with real life (work, communication, physical contact, survival tasks), the more attention drifts into dopamine-driven fantasies. This effect has only intensified in the past decade.
The draw of dopamine stimuli. All dopamine stimulants share a common feature: they create a pleasant virtual reality that starkly contrasts with the real world. This could include anything: alcohol, for instance, creates a reality where problems disappear, and the person feels like a hero, relaxed and humorous. Religion can create a reality where the poor see themselves as righteous saints.
How people escape reality. Any dopamine stimulant can become an escape. People may flee reality through binge-eating, fantasy, reading, hobbies, collecting, binge-watching, sects, religions, news, conspiracy theories, or ideologies. The key is that the new reality should feel pleasing. There’s nothing wrong with immersing yourself in a good book or film, but problems arise when this imagined reality becomes preferred and starts affecting decision-making.
In such cases, reality loses its appeal; it becomes a nagging reminder of one’s shortcomings, something to dismiss or eliminate. This resembles a drunken person, sprawled and soaked, seeing themselves as a respected hero, or a fanatical killer who envisions themselves as a saint. Jean Baudrillard called this a simulacrum – a fake entity that replaces “an agonizing reality” with a simulation, a representation of something that doesn’t exist.
Eric Hoffer, in The True Believer, noted that fascists and communists recruited from the same “ditch,” drawing supporters prone to ideological obsession, overeating, or addiction. These tendencies are common in people with low status or who are experiencing tragedy and failure (an unpleasant reality). But how do you deceive healthy individuals?
Undermining the present and enhancing the future – reality should die. Religions and ideologies achieve this by devaluing the present and what people currently have (reducing serotonin) while promoting an “ideal future” (increasing the appeal of the dopamine trigger). This pulls people from reality into fantasy. It’s a pivotal point – the destruction of reality (post-truth) where reality no longer matters in decisions, and the criterion for truth becomes “if I like it, it’s true.”
1. Increase dopamine. Amplify the appeal of scenarios that are alternatives to reality: tempt people with a glorious future (leftists), a golden past (rightists), or paradise with celestial rewards (religious extremists). These scenarios become virtual drugs, drawing people in and occupying their thoughts. The stronger the craving for dopamine, the less critical thinking engages.
An advent calendar as a dopamine mechanism. The dopamine-driven anticipation of a goal can be amplified in creative ways, and the advent calendar is a perfect example of combining three mechanics: the excitement of an approaching celebration, the feeling of progress, and the mystery of surprise. Let’s take a closer look at the last two.
1. Dopamine as a compass
One of dopamine’s key functions is directing us toward a goal, where the sense of satisfaction is the "compass needle." Dopamine points us to the goal, triggering the brain’s reward system and making every step feel rewarding. The closer we get to the goal, the more dopamine is released, giving us a sense of satisfaction that strengthens with each small step. Dopamine “marks” our progress, providing psychological reinforcement that keeps us moving forward.
How to use this in daily life? Creating a sense of growth is deeply motivating. Recognize even small areas where you’ve improved or learned something new. The size of the achievement doesn’t matter—what counts is the feeling of progress, which is extremely attractive. Just beware of one trap: sometimes people prefer new but lower-quality things to old, high-quality ones. In seduction, anticipation is used through pauses, slow development, and gradual pacing. However, remember that a well-designed reward system might drive you toward a goal you never cared about because dopamine interprets the feeling of reward during movement to it as a sign of the goal’s importance.
2. The power of uncertainty
Our brains are prediction machines, constantly trying to calculate what will happen next. When uncertainty is high, it demands more of our attention, which, in turn, makes it seem even more important. This is why an advent calendar's varied, unpredictable gifts are so enticing.
How to apply this? While it’s hard to surprise yourself, you can create random rewards by leaving some element of chance. Try going to the café where a coin flip lands, or make a "lottery" of treats at home—write down small rewards, discard a third of them, toss the rest in a jar, and draw them randomly.
This works similarly in romantic attraction—hints, mystery, and cryptic messages draw interest. Social media feeds, lotteries, and so on also use this randomness.
When there’s space between meetings, it leaves room for reflection and anticipation. The brain’s dopamine levels rise as we consider potential future developments, increasing attraction and making each encounter even more exciting. Little surprises—unexpected compliments, gifts, or spontaneous plans—also boost dopamine. The unpredictability keeps interest high and strengthens emotional connection. But don’t fall into the trap of confusing inconsistent or disorganized behavior, or bipolar or borderline personality disorder, with alluring "mystery."
How do you use these dopamine mechanisms? Ever fallen into their traps?