CHOICE: Overload Paradox

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Choice Overload is the difficulty in making a decision when faced with too many options. It’s like standing in front of an ice cream counter with 31 flavors and feeling paralyzed.

Among personal decision-makers, a prevention focus is activated and people are more satisfied with their choices after choosing among few options compared to many options, i.e. choice overload. However, individuals can also experience a reverse choice overload effect when acting as proxy decision-maker, too.

It is widely accepted that having more choices is inherently positive. When there are more available options from which to choose, an individual is more likely to be able to select the particular option that is the best fit and most likely to satisfy them. Choice is typically thought to be related to personal freedom and enhanced well-being.

Therefore, according to colleague Neal Baum MD, for most individuals the ultimate goal is to constantly maximize their choices in life to increase their overall satisfaction and well-being. The decision-making process, however, is a complex cognitive task that does not always lead to positive outcomes.

Thus, while having options is generally good, too many choices can lead to anxiety and decision fatigue. This is why curated selections and recommendations are so popular – they simplify the decision-making process’ according to another colleague Dan Ariely PhD.

So, when you’re overwhelmed by choices, narrow them down to a manageable number and make your decision easier.

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EUROPEAN UNION Paradox

By Staff Reporters

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The European Union Paradox is the perceived failure of European countries to translate scientific advances into marketable innovations.

The root of this issue remains debated: is it due to the scientific output being distant from the cutting-edge, or is it because the European innovation system lacks the capacity to harness the potential of groundbreaking research?

And so, this study reveals that, compared to similar European research, the European Research Council has a similar probability of being cited in patents, although it garners a larger number of patent citations. Moreover, patents that do draw upon ERC research are often of superior quality, measured by forward citations.

Compared to similar European research, inventive activities arising from ERC science are predominantly housed within universities and public research organizations. In absolute terms, however, US organizations, especially US companies, still lead in deriving the greatest benefit from ERC science.

Cite: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4635463

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DOCTORS: Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter in 2025 is Easy!

An Oft Neglected Chore

Dr. Marcinko[By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd]

Hello ME-P Readers!

Doctors and Colleagues – You have probably noticed the weather is getting colder, and you’ve made some changes, right? Thanksgiving is past and X-mass day is nigh! Have you started wearing jackets, packed up the flip-flops, and replaced the A/C with heat?

If you have, that is great, but what have you done to prepare your car for the cold winter months?

Betchya didn’t know that, much like your patients, your car needs to be equally prepared for the colder seasons! It’s a fact—your car reacts to the colder weather in many of the same ways us humans do. Sure, we have blood and skin, where cars have oil and metal, but stay with me here.

There are a few simple things you can do to make sure your trusted car is ready to battle the elements.  So; let’s take a quick look at my classic 2000 Jaguar XJ-V8-XL touring sedan; and those pesky winter car tasks.

Editor's Jaguar XJ-V8-LWB touring sedan

The List

First of all, your car’s electrical system can take a beating in the cold. The battery has a Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) rating, which should help you determine if it’s powerful enough for those snowy days. The higher the number, the better you’re protected from being stranded. An inspection of your electrical system is always a good idea, though.

Second, you should also consider inspecting the windshield wipers on your vehicle. It’s an easy thing to forget about until you really need them, and then of course they’re worn out. Winter weather, with frost, ice, snow, and dry air can really deteriorate the rubber in wipers.

Third, though it may seem backwards, your vehicle’s cooling system should be in good working condition as well. If the coolant mixture and levels aren’t correct, you could have some very, very expensive repairs waiting for you. Overheating is less of an issue, but your engine actually freezing when not running is a very real, and expensive, danger. And, did you know that your engine’s cooling system also controls your heat inside! A cooling system malfunction could also mean some very cold commutes for you.

Next, headlights are often ignored, too, until you get caught out one night with burnt-out bulbs. With the days getting shorter, and the nights getting much longer and darker, it’s not a bad idea to replace your headlights. Why not upgrade them while you’re at it? The price difference is minimal, and the difference in visibility will make night driving a true joy.

Finally, let’s talk about tires. Some tires are much more suited to winter weather than others! Some tires, especially on performance cars, are rated for summer use only, while others might be “three season” tires. Of course, many cars come standard with all-season tires as well. For those that encounter frequent winter conditions, though, a set of full-winter tires is the best option.

Classic XJ-V8-WB Jaguar

Assessment

Now, just like the patients in your waiting room …. NEXT!

Conclusion

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DAILY UPDATE: Winter Solstice & Endo Health Solutions as Stock Markets Rebound

MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST TODAY’S NEWSLETTER BRIEFING

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Essays, Opinions and Curated News in Health Economics, Investing, Business, Management and Financial Planning for Physician Entrepreneurs and their Savvy Advisors and Consultants

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The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (North and South). For that hemisphere, the winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, and when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky. Each polar region experiences continuous darkness or twilight around its winter solstice.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource

Stat: $200 million. That’s how much drug manufacturer Endo Health Solutions paid the federal government for profiting from the opioid crisis and racking up $4 billion in unpaid taxes. (ProPublica)

CITE: https://tinyurl.com/2h47urt5

US stocks bounced back Friday as investors digested key inflation data that showed a deceleration in price increases during the month of November.

The tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC) gained 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) added 1.2%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 1.1%.

But the rebound wasn’t enough to overcome losses earlier in the week. All three major gauges finished the week lower. The NASDAQ gave up 1.8% while the Dow and the S&P both shed around 2%.

CITE: https://tinyurl.com/tj8smmes

Visualize: How private equity tangled banks in a web of debt, from the Financial Times.

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EDUCATIONAL TEXTBOOKS: https://tinyurl.com/4zdxuuwf

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ULYSSES PACT: Will Power and Self Control

DEFINED

Staff Reporters

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Taking away a future choice from oneself to avoid anticipated willpower failures.
The present self trying to help the future self resist temptation.

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Ulysses Pact is a commitment made with oneself to accomplish a tough goal by limiting the choice to back out, boosting the chances of success by removing tempting alternatives.

According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, it’s a self-control strategy that’s especially useful for resisting short-term temptations.

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Survivor’s Guilt

By Staff Reporters

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Survivor’s Guilt is the feeling of guilt experienced by those who have survived a tragedy when others did not. It’s like winning a lottery you didn’t want to enter. This emotional response can be overwhelming, as survivors question why they lived while others didn’t. It’s a mix of empathy, remorse, and a search for meaning in the randomness of survival.

According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, If you or someone you know is dealing with survivor’s guilt, remember: it’s a natural reaction, and seeking support can help navigate these complex feelings.

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PARADOX: Demographic-Economics

By Staff Reporters

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Demographic-Economics Paradox Definition: A nations or sub-populations with higher GDP per capita are observed to have fewer children, even though a richer population can support more children. Dr. Herwig Birg has called this inverse relationship between income and fertility a “demo-economic paradox”.

Cite: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Herwig-Birg

Why? Evolutionary biology predicts that more successful individuals (and by analogy countries) should seek to develop optimum conditions for their life and reproduction.

However, in the last half of the 20th century it has become clear that the economic success of developed countries is being counterbalanced by a demographic failure, a sub-replacement fertility that may prove destructive for their future economies and societies.

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LINGUISTICAL SCIENCE: History and Modern Theory

By Staff Reporters

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Theory of Linguistic Sciences

Avram Noam Chomsky is an American professor known for his work in linguistics and political activism. Sometimes called “the father of modern linguistics”, Chomsky is also one of the founders of the field of cognitive science. He is a laureate professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona and an professor emeritus at MIT.

And so, modern linguists today approach their work with scientific rigor and perspective [STEM], although they use methods that were once thought to be solely an academic discipline of the humanities.

Contrary to this belief, linguistics is multidisciplinary. It overlaps each of the human sciences including psychology, neurology, anthropology, and sociology. Linguists conduct formal studies of sound structure, grammar and meaning, but also investigates the history of language families, and research language acquisition.

And, as with other scientists according to linguistical engineer and Professor Mackenzie Hope Marcinko PhD from the University of Delaware [UD], they formulate hypotheses, catalog observations, and work to support explanatory theories, etc.

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Health Information Technology Dictionary

https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Health-Information-Technology-Security/dp/0826149952/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254413315&sr=1-5

MINING: Sympathy on Social Media

DEFINITION

By Staff Reporters

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Sympathy Mining is the act of exaggerating personal problems to gain sympathy or attention. While it may fulfill a need for validation, it can strain genuine connections.

Someone who deliberately entices others into showing sympathy by utilizing social media with non-descriptive &/or ambiguous statements designed to invite further questioning and therefore garnering sympathy with their reported issue.

According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, over time, onground or online sympathy mining can erode trust, especially if it’s clear that issues are exaggerated.

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LIMERENCE Romantic Attachment Intensity

VERSUS MERETRICIOUS RELATIONSHIPS

DEFINED

By Staff Reporters

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Limerence is an intense romantic obsession that can feel all-consuming, marked by daydreaming and emotional highs. It’s often mistaken for love, though it may not lead to a lasting relationship.

Limerence is a state of mind resulting from romantic feelings for another person. It typically involves intrustive and melancholic thoughts, or tragic concerns for the object of one’s affection, along with a desire for the reciprocation of one’s feelings and to form a relationship with the object of love.

According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, the focus in limerence is more on idealization than on genuine connection, making it feel overwhelming but often one-sided.

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Meretricious, on the other hand, describes a situation where two people live together in a relationship that resembles marriage but lacks the official legal status of marriage. This means they may share a home, finances, and a life together, but they haven’t gone through the legal process to be recognized as married. This concept is often discussed in family law and property law, especially when these “live-in-lover” relationships come to an end.

When a meretricious relationship ends, it can lead to disputes about how to divide shared property and whether one partner should provide financial support to the other. Courts look at several factors to help decide these issues. For instance, they consider how long the couple has been together, how they managed their finances, and whether they intended to be committed to each other like a married couple. These factors help the court understand the nature of the relationship and the expectations of both parties.

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ATTENTION: Direct and Misdirected

By Staff Reporters

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Humans use cognitive information to Direct Attention to relevant objects (targets) in a visual scene. Information such as the target’s color or location is represented as a ‘perceptual set’. Similarly, advance information about the required response to a target is represented as a ‘motor set’.

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MisDirected Attention however is like polishing the brass on the Titanic while ignoring the iceberg. Our brains love details, sometimes too much. We focus on the minutiae and miss what’s really important. This is why you might spend more time choosing a font than writing the actual content.

For example, have you ever spent hours perfecting the details of a project only to miss the big picture? That’s misdirected attention, according to Dan Ariely PhD.

Always remember, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. Keep an eyes on the horizon.

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CURIOSITY? Mental Buzz!

By Staff Reporters

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Curiosity is the itch you can’t scratch, the mental mosquito buzzing in your brain. It’s what makes you click on “One weird trick” articles and peek into your neighbor’s shopping cart. This insatiable desire to know drives innovation, learning, and sometimes, regrettable internet searches. Like a cat with nine lives, curiosity keeps us exploring and questioning, even if it occasionally leads us to the wrong conclusions.

So, according to Dan Ariely PhD, go right ahead, embrace your inner Sherlock Holmes, and keep asking “Why?”

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MARCINKO ASSOCIATES: Physician Wealth Advisors and Practice Management Consultants

FIDUCIARY MEDICAL COLLEAGUES – FEE ONLY – NO PRODUCT OR SALES COMMISSIONS

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DEAR MEDICAL COLLEAGUES

Achieving your financial, wealth and medical practice management goals is important, but handling everything on your own can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. At D. E. Marcinko & Associates, our team of dual degree experienced physician advisors and medical consultants is here to guide you every step of the way. We believe in providing unbiased, high-quality financial and business advice.

For example, we offer a one-time written financial plan with oral evaluation for a flat fee with no ongoing sales or assets under management fees or commissions. Together, we can create a personalized financial plan tailored to your unique goals, empowering you to make confident, informed decisions as you navigate your financial future.

Other Services Include:

  • Estate Planning We have a network of qualified legal professionals that we can refer you to for state specific estate planning needs.
  • Tax Strategy We can work alongside your CPA for tax planning purposes. If needed, we can refer you to a qualified tax professional.
  • Investment Analysis If you have investments, we review your accounts to make sure they are aligned with your long-term goals.
  • 401-k Allocations We evaluate your 401(k) allocations and provide recommendations that align with your goals.
  • Education Savings We help you explore the various ways to plan and save for education expenses.
  • Insurance & Risk Management We assess your insurance coverage to ensure it adequately protects you against potential risks; as well as evaluate and provide expert litigation witnesses, as needed.
  • Medical Practice Management We evaluate your current or potential medical practice to determine value and/or private equity offers or physician practice management formats [PPMC] for new, mid-career or retiring physicians, nurses and dentists.   

D. E. Marcinko & Associates is unique and fully committed to all phases of a medical professionals personal and business life cycle. We are at your service 24/7: Email MarcinkoAdvisors@outlook.com

ANN MILLER RN MHA CMP

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DOOMSCROLLING & DOOMSURFING: Defined

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Two years ago, prior to the 2022 election, mental health experts alerted the medical world to their version of an assessment scale for yet another new condition – “doomscrolling.”

As defined by the National Library of Medicine in the article, “Constant exposure to negative news on social media and news feeds could take the form of ‘doomscrolling’ which is commonly defined as a habit of scrolling through social media and news feeds where users obsessively seek for depressing and negative information.”

And so, formally Doomscrolling or doomsurfing is the act of spending an excessive amount of time reading large quantities of news, particularly negative news, on the web and social media. Doomscrolling can also be defined as the excessive consumption of short-form videos or social media content for an excessive period of time without stopping. The concept was coined around 2020, particularly in the context of the COVID pandemic.

Surveys and studies suggest doomscrolling is predominant among youth. It can be considered a form of internet addiction disorder. In 2019, a study by the National Academy of Sciences found that it can be linked to a decline in mental and physical health. Numerous reasons for doomscrolling have been cited, including negativity bias and FOMO [fear of missing out], and attempts at gaining control over uncertainty.

QUERY: What about the roaring stock market, post the 2024 presidential election. Fundamental analysis or FOMO?

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CURSE: Knowledge and Hindsight Bias

By Staff Reporters

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Similar to the availability heuristic (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974) and to some extent, the false consensus effect, once you really understand a new piece of information, that piece of information is now available to you and often becomes seemingly obvious. It might be easy to forget that there was ever a time you didn’t know this information and so, you assume that others, like yourself, also know this information: ie., the curse of knowledge.

However, it is often an unfair assumption that others share the same knowledge.

And so, the hindsight bias is similar to the curse of knowledge in that once we have information about an event, it then seems obvious that it was going to happen all along.

IOW: I should have seen it coming!

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The “Shadow Self”

By Staff Reporters

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The Shadow Self is like the dark twin you never knew you had. It’s the part of your personality that lurks in the background, hiding your less-than-perfect traits. Think of it as the villain in your personal movie, full of suppressed desires and impulses.

According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, acknowledging your shadow self can be a bit like therapy – uncomfortable but ultimately enlightening.

So, embrace your inner Darth Vader, and you might just find a better balance between light and dark.

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PSYCHOLOGY EFFECTS: Halo Opinion and Horn Judgement

By Staff Reporters

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The halo effect is when your general impression of someone influences your opinion of their actual traits and actions. Basically, if you view a person positively in one way, you tend to assume their other attributes are also positive. For example, if you find out someone graduated from an elite university, you may assume they are highly intelligent and accomplished.

The opposite of the halo effect is the horn effect. This is when you make a snap judgment about someone on the basis of one negative trait. A single negative trait can lead to an unfairly negative overall impression of a person.

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TRAVEL: Deals on Tuesday

DEFINED

By Staff Reporters

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Travel Tuesday, also known as Travel Deal Tuesday, is a marketing term for e-commerce transactions occurring on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the UJSA. It originated in 2017, when Hooper, an online flight marketplace, realized that the Tuesday after Thanksgiving was profitable for consumers to book flights. It is mainly a United States-based phenomenon. However, some overseas companies do recognize the holiday.

History

In 2017, Hopper, an online flight marketplace, created Travel Tuesday after realizing that in the post-Thanksgiving shopping period, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving was the most profitable time for consumers to book flights. Since then, major airline providers such as Orbitz, Travelocity and and Cheap Tickets have recognized the holiday. However, outside the United States, the holiday is rarely celebrated.

Impact

In 2018, Hopper stated that for them, the day offered the highest airfare sales in 2017, also noting that compared to Cyber Monday and Black Friday, fares were somewhat cheaper. In 2022, flight sales because of Travel Tuesday were thrice as much compared to the sales in the rest of the post-Thanksgiving period.

Note: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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CYBER SALES WEEK [Is is a Real Thing?]

By Staff Reporters

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Cyber Week Defined

As first reported in the Forbes “Entrepreneurs” column on December 3rd, 2013: “Cyber Monday, the online counterpart to Black Friday, has been gaining unprecedented popularity – to the point where Cyber Sales are continuing on throughout the week.”

In fact, Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor for CBS News, further advises: “If you want a real deal on Black Friday, stay away from the mall. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are all part of Cyber Sales Week 

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

And so, Cyber Monday isn’t over yet for this year 2024: It’s morphed into Cyber Week, the actual final iteration of sales during the Black Friday-Cyber Monday discount season of 2024. A substantial number of retailers are maintaining their Black Friday-level discounts through today and some through tomorrow and the entire week.

Yes-Cyber Week is a real thing, so got for it. Buy it! Charge it!

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“FREE STUFF”: Powerfully Irrational

BEWARE THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

[Online -OR- Onground]

By Staff Reporters

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Power of Free

Who doesn’t love free stuff? The word “free” is like a magic spell that makes our rational minds go on vacation.

According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, the power of free compels us to grab things we don’t need and make questionable choices. Why buy one and get one free when you can get two for the price of one? It’s the same deal, but free feels better.

IOW: Like other heuristics, the Power of Free is a mental shortcut that allows us to bypass rational thought and save effort to make quick decisions. Studies of the Power of Free have shown it to be closely linked to the Affect Heuristic. Specifically, it is linked to emotional and social thinking rather than transactional thinking. People become influenced by emotion and obligated to socially acceptable behaviors.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

For example, say, a yoga studio charges extra to use their mats. This leads more people to pay the fee and use their mats for convenience. Then, say, the same yoga studio removed the extra fee more people would bring their mats from home instead of feeling guilty about borrowing one for class.

Removing a dollar value increases its inherent value and makes it more desirable. The type of product matters too. People are more likely to opt for a free product that is fun rather than functional. This is because emotion is more powerful than rational thinking under the influence of the Power of Free.

In another example, people are more likely to say “yes” to a free piece of cake or sample size of perfume than furniture polish or a bag of white flour.

So, next time you find yourself going to a free financial planning or retirement seminar with free dinner, or a free medical screening test, or free stock market portfolio review, just blame it on the irresistible and irrational power of free.

SPONSOR [not free]: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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ECONOMIC PARADOXES: Prosperity, Thrift, Toil, Value and Productivity

AUSTRIAN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

By Staff Reporters

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A Paradox is a logical self-contradictory statement or a statement that runs contrary to one’s expectation. It is a statement that, despite apparently valid reasoning from true or apparently true premises, leads to a seemingly self-contradictory or a logically unacceptable conclusion. A paradox usually involves contradictory-yet-interrelated elements that exist simultaneously and persist over time. They result in “persistent contradiction between interdependent elements” leading to a lasting “unity of opposites”.

Here are five economic paradoxes from the Austrian School of Economics.

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Prosperity: Why do generations that significantly improve the economic climate seem to generally rear a successor generation that consumes rather than produces?

Thrift: If everyone saves more money during times of recession, then aggregate demand will fall and will in turn lower total savings in the population.

Toil: If everyone tries to work during times of recession, lower wages will reduce prices, leading to more deflationary expectations, leading to further thrift, reducing demand and thereby reducing employment.

Value: [also known as Diamond-Water Paradox]: Water is more useful than diamonds, yet is a lot cheaper.

Productivity: [also known as Solow Computer Paradox]: Worker productivity may go down, despite technological improvements.

Note: The Austrian School of Economics promotes an economic and social thinking that is not trapped in unrealistic, mostly mathematical models. It does not see the economy as an object of state political regulation and central, almost engineering-like control. Rather, its analysis focuses on autonomous entrepreneurial action and the free interaction of individuals in the marketplace, which eludes both the logic of differential equations, and centrally planned political control.

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PARADOX: Medical Progress

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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“Paradox of Medical Progress” is a language of medicine is loaded with misnomers, inaccuracies, and ambiguities, and is in need of reform.

Paradoxes on the other hand, deserve a different kind of attention. These seeming self-contradictions are set apart from other inconsistencies because of the truths they tell. The veracity of a paradox is at once appealing and vexing. Anyone who has tried to suppress a thought knows that trying not to think of white polar bears is a sure way to think of white polar bears!

The comic impact of a paradox was even famously explored in Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 and in Groucho Marx’s reluctance to be a member of any club that would accept him. However, the provocative nature of a paradox is its capacity to express familiar wisdom and this is particularly evident in medical science.

The more we learn, the more we learn how much we still have to learn; whereas, “what gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know, it’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.

On the significance of the knowledge paradox in biology, Lewis Thomas regarded ignorance as the only scientific truth of which he was confident, and discovering “the depth and scope of ignorance” as the greatest contribution of modern science.

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Small Business Saturday

By Staff Reporters

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Champion small businesses nationwide and #ShopSmall on Saturday, November 30th, 2024.

Now more than ever, small businesses need our support. Please join SBA and organizations across the country as they celebrate small business contributions to their communities by shopping at a small business on November 30th, Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by SBA since 2011. It is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season.

  • In 2023, the reported projected spending in the U.S. from those who shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday was around $17 billion

Since 2010, the total reported U.S. spending at small businesses during the annual Small Business Saturday is an estimated $201 billion

  • Join the highly successful team of SBA, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and American Express in kicking off the 2024 holiday season. Support our nation’s more than 34 million independent businesses this Small Business Saturday and all holiday season long.

More: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/sba-initiatives/small-business-saturday

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BLACK FRIDAY: Profiting From “Reverse Supply Chain Logistics”

By Staff Reporters

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Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year, is a half day for the stock market. Both stock exchanges close at 1:00 p.m. ET, with eligible options trading until 1:15 p.m. Normal trading hours resume on the Monday after Thanksgiving, also known as Cyber Monday, when many online retailers host major sales.

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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DEFINITION: Reverse logistics—or the supply-chain processes of returns—is a little-known but rapidly growing sector of the economy that’s booming alongside the rise in online shopping that started during the pandemic.

Now, as retailers crack down on returns to avoid hearing another “it was broken when I got it” excuse, some companies are counting on you to send your holiday gifts back. A “reverse logistics” industry has sprung up in recent years to take advantage of the more than $300 billion in returns Americans make every holiday season.

  • Venture capital firms pumped nearly $200 million into reverse logistics startups last year—over 2.5x as much as in 2021, according to Bloomberg.
  • Loop Returns, which sells software to companies looking to streamline the return process on the customer side, raised $115 million at the end of 2022.

Established companies see potential in reverse logistics as well. Last year, Uber launched a feature enabling drivers to pick up your packages and bring them to a returns center. Meanwhile, UPS, whose returns business has grown 25% since 2020, recently acquired the startup Happy Returns.

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INDEX: Li Keqiang

By Staff Reporters

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The Li Keqiang Index was created by The Economist and measure’s China’s economy using three indicators: railway cargo volume, electricity consumption and bank loans.

According to Wikipedia and a leaked US State Department Memorandum, Li Keqiang (then the Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary of Liaoning) told a US ambassador in 2007 that the GDP figures in Liaoning were unreliable and that he himself used the three other indicators: [1] railway cargo volume, [2] electricity consumption and [3] bank loans

The “Keqiang index” is also used by Haitong Securities released in 2013, suggesting decelerating China’s economic growth since the beginning of 2013

The index is seen as an alternative to official gross domestic product numbers released by the Chinese government.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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DAILY UPDATE: “Black” Friday?

By Staff Reporters

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Black Friday is a colloquial term for the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, that is the Friday after 28th November. It traditionally marks the start of the Christmas shopping season in the United States. Many stores offer highly promoted sales at discounted prices and often open early, sometimes as early as midnight or even on Thanksgiving. Some stores’ sales continue to Monday (“Cyber Monday“) or for a week (“Cyber Week“).

Occurring on the fourth Friday in November unless November 1st is a Friday (in which case it’s the fifth Friday), Black Friday has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States since 2005.

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THANKSGIVING TURKEY: How Long to Cook the Bird?

By Staff Reporters

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2024 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY

Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA

Ann Miller RN MHA

ME-P Staff Reporters

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CONVERSATIONAL “Switch Tracking” Ad Argumentum

By Staff Reporters

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Switch Tracking is the art of changing the focus of an argument or conversation to another topic. It’s like sleight of hand for your words. When the discussion gets uncomfortable, switching tracks can divert attention and defuse tension. Politicians are masters of this, skillfully shifting topics to avoid tough questions.

According to psychologist and colleague Dan Ariely PhD, while it can be a useful tactic, be aware when it’s being used on you. Stay focused on the main issue, and don’t let switch tracking derail your conversation.

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ILLUSORY: Correlation

CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION

By Staff Reporters

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According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, Illusory Correlation is the perception of a relationship between variables when none exists. It’s like thinking that carrying an umbrella causes it to rain. Our brains are pattern-seeking machines, often connecting dots that aren’t actually connected. This bias can lead to superstitions and incorrect beliefs.

The illusory correlation occurs when someone believes that there is a relationship between two people, events, or behaviors, even though there is no logical way to connect them. The illusory correlation fools us into believing stereotypes, superstitions, old wives’ tales, and other silly ideas. Sometimes, the perceived connection between two events is harmless. It’s silly to think that a certain number always brings you luck. But forming these connections is completely normal. To avoid illusory correlations, rely on data and evidence rather than anecdotal observations.

So always remember: correlation does not imply causation, no matter how convincing it seems.

More: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2024/06/05/correlation-is-not-causation/

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SOCIAL COMPARISON THEORY: Downward and Upward

By Staff Reporters

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According to some studies, as much as 10 percent of our thoughts involve comparisons of some kind. Social comparison theory is the idea that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. The theory was developed in 1954 by psychologist Leon Festinger. Later research has shown that people who regularly compare themselves to others may find motivation to improve, but may also experience feelings of deep dissatisfaction, guilt or remorse, and engage in destructive behaviors like lying or disordered eating.

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Downward Comparison is the act of comparing oneself to others who are worse off to feel better about one’s situation. It’s like looking at someone else’s messy desk to feel better about your clutter.

On the other hand, Upward Comparison is the act of comparing oneself to others who are better off to feel bad about one’s situation. It’s like looking at someone else’s neat desk and feel worse about your own clutter.

Finally, according to Dan Ariely PhD, these coping mechanisms boosts self-esteem or depress us with a sense of relief or dread. While helpful in moderation, relying too much on upward or downward comparisons can help hinder personal growth and/or depress growth or empathy; etc.

So, them sparingly and remember: upward comparisons can inspire you to improve and strive for better; while downward comparisons have the opposite effects.

MORE: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-social-comparison-process-2795872

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MEDICAL ECONOMICS: Healthcare Inflation

By Staff Reporters

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Inflation has hit record levels this year as demand for goods and services far outpaced supply, and many companies are still trying to bounce back from the shutdowns of early 2020. Health systems, which have razor-thin operating margins even in the best of times, aren’t an exception.

“In the past, we’ve always said that healthcare was kind of recession-proof because demand for healthcare keeps going, regardless of what’s happening in the economy,” said Tina Wheeler, leader of consulting firm Deloitte’s US healthcare practice.

But in the last year, inflation hovered around 8% for much of the year, while medical-care prices increased by only 4.8%, according to Wheeler. Since medical costs are negotiated between hospitals and payers years in advance, hospitals can’t just raise their prices now to keep up with the pace of inflation, said Gerard Brogan Jr., senior vice president and chief revenue officer at Northwell Health.

READ: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2022/11/10/the-cpi-and-stock-markets/

Here’s how badly hospitals could be hurting:

  • Inflation could cause an additional $370 billion more in healthcare spending than the expected baseline increase by 2027, according to McKinsey.
  • The national health expenditure could grow at a rate of 7.1% over the next five years, compared to the expected economic growth rate of 4.7%, according to McKinsey.
  • By the end of 2021, total hospital expenses per adjusted discharge were up 20.1% compared to 2019, according to the trade group American Hospital Association.

Rising interest rates also hurt hospitals since their main access to capital is through issuing tax-exempt bonds, Wheeler said. The rising cost of capital limits hospitals’ ability to fund projects, like opening a new oncology center to treat patients, for example. Keep reading here

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The TIPPING POINT: Meanings Vary

By Staff Reporters

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A “Tipping point” has slightly varied meanings depending upon the field of study, but is frequently defined as a series of small changes in an evolutionary process that ultimately lead to a significant change or point beyond which new circumstances and conditions obtain.

For example, the point at which emerging economies go from being a long-time source of deflation to a source of inflation can be said to be an inflationary tipping point.

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The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference is the debut book by Malcolm Gladwell, first published by Litttle, Brown in 2000. Gladwell defines a tipping point as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” The book seeks to explain and describe the “mysterious” sociological changes that mark everyday life. As Gladwell stated: “Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do.”

Examples of such changes in his book include the rise in popularity and sales of Hush Puppies shoes in the mid-1990s and the steep drop in New York City‘s crime rate after 1990.

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ABSURDISM versus NIHILISM

By Staff Reporters

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Absurdism is the philosophical idea that life is inherently meaningless, but we should embrace the absurdity and create our own meaning. Think of it as existentialism’s quirky cousin. It’s like laughing at the cosmic joke instead of crying over spilled milk. Absurdism encourages us to find joy in the randomness and chaos of life.

So, according to colleague Dan Arily PhD, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the lack of purpose, channel your inner absurdist and find humor in the absurdity of it all.

Nihilism, on the other hand, is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. While few philosophers would claim to be nihilists, nihilism is most often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche who argued that its corrosive effects would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history.

In the 20th century, nihilistic themes–epistemological failure, value destruction, and cosmic purposelessness–have preoccupied artists, social critics and philosophers, alike. Mid-century, for example, the existentialists helped popularize tenets of nihilism in their attempts to blunt its destructive potential. By the end of the century, existential despair as a response to nihilism gave way to an attitude of indifference, often associated with anti-foundationalism.

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The Decline Bias [Declinism]

By Staff Reporters

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You may have heard the complaint that the internet, blogs, vlogs and social media will be the downfall of information dissemination; but, Socrates reportedly said the same thing about the written word.

Declinism refers to a bias in favor of the past over and above “how things are going.” Similarly, you might know a member of an older generation who prefaces grievances with, “Well, back in my day” before following up with how things are supposedly getting worse.

The decline bias may result from something before — we just don’t like change. People like their worlds to make sense, they like things wrapped up in nice, neat little packages.

Our world is easier to engage in when things make sense to us. When things change, so must the way in which we think about them; and because we are cognitively lazy (Kahenman, 2011; Simon, 1957), we try our best to avoid changing our thought processes.

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GAMIFICATION: Motivation and Achievement

By Staff Reporters

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Gamification is the application of game-design elements in non-game contexts to motivate and engage people. It’s like turning life into a video game with points, badges, and leader boards. This approach leverages our love for games and competition, making mundane tasks more enjoyable.

According to Dan Ariely PhD, whether it’s a fitness app tracking your steps or a learning platform rewarding your progress, gamification taps into our natural desire for achievement and recognition.

So, the next time you find yourself hooked on a task, thank the power of gamification for making it fun.

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DAILY UPDATE: Spirit Airlines in Chapter 11 as Nvidia Rises and Target, Lowes & Walmart Highlight Stock Earnings Week

MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST TODAY’S NEWSLETTER BRIEFING

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Spirit Airlines said Monday it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after struggling with losses, growing debt and a failed merger during the post-pandemic travel lull. The company said in a stock market statement that it had secured a prearranged deal with bondholders that includes £300 million in financing to keep it afloat, with the business planning to end its bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2025.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource

Analysts are expecting Nvidia, the world’s largest publicly traded company, to show quarterly sales of ~$33 billion, up 10% from the previous quarter and 83% year over year, but they also warn the mind-blowing growth of the chip maker could begin to slow.

CITE: https://tinyurl.com/2h47urt5

And, reports this week from Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, and other retailers will offer a peek at consumer health.

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VARIETY: Insensitivity

By Staff Reporters

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Variety Insensitivity is the tendency to under appreciate the value of variety in choices.

According to Dan Ariely PhD, it’s like always ordering the same dish at your favorite restaurant and forgetting how exciting new flavors can be. Our brains love routine, but this can lead to boredom and missed opportunities. Embracing variety can enhance experiences and satisfaction.

So, next time you’re stuck in a rut, shake things up and try something different. Your brain will thank you for the new stimulation.

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CURSE of the “Stereotype”

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd

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The Stereotype Curse is the negative impact of stereotypes on an individual’s performance or behavior. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy where being aware of a stereotype makes you more likely to conform to it.

For example, if you’re told you’re bad at math because of your gender, that stress can affect your performance. Breaking free from stereotypes requires awareness and effort.

So, next time you feel boxed in by a stereotype, remind yourself: you’re more than a cliché.

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PATTERNICITY: Apophenia vs. Pareidolia

By Staff Reporters

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Patternicity is our brain’s tendency to find patterns in random data. It’s why we see faces in clouds or think the stock market follows our horoscope. According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, this quirk helped our ancestors survive by recognizing predator shapes in the bushes, but in modern times, it can lead us astray. Our brains love making connections, sometimes too much, seeing patterns where none exist.

So, when you’re convinced that your lucky socks influence your team’s performance, remind yourself: it’s just your brain’s patternicity at work.

Apophenia vs. Pareidolia

Now, “Apophenia is the general term for the human tendency to see patterns in meaningless data that may involve visual, auditory, or other senses,” according to Dr. Harold Hong, a psychiatrist from Raleigh, North Carolina. He points out that pareidolia is a specific form of apophenia that refers to seeing visual patterns in random or ambiguous visual stimuli, such as seeing a face in the clouds.

Apophenia and pareidolia are common occurrences, says Hong, and challenges often only present when someone becomes fixated on specific patterns or details that others perceive as random. “While both phenomena are natural human tendencies, they can become concerning if someone starts to fixate on specific patterns excessively,” he says, noting that apophenia may be prevalent in certain mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

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RESPONSE: Flight -OR- Fight?

By Staff Reporters

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The Fight or Flight Response is our built-in alarm system, ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger. Whether it’s a charging lion or an impending deadline, our bodies react the same way – heart racing, adrenaline pumping, ready to fight or flee. This ancient survival mechanism is great for escaping predators but less helpful when dealing with modern stressors.

So, the next time you feel your heart racing over a tough email or stock market loss, remember: it’s just your caveman brain doing its thing.

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BIAS: Of “Social Proof” and Influencers

INVESTING DEFINITION

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Social Proof is a subtle but powerful reality that having others agree with a decision one makes, gives that person more conviction in the decision, and having others disagree decreases one’s confidence in that decision. 

This bias is even more exaggerated when the other parties providing the validating/questioning opinions are perceived to be experts in a relevant field, or are authority figures, like doctors, attorneys, financial advisors, teachers and/or people on television.  In many ways, the short term moves in the stock market are the ultimate expression of social proof – the price of a stock one owns going up is proof that a lot of other people agree with the decision to buy, and a dropping stock price means a stock should be sold. 

According to colleague Dan Ariely PhD, when these stressors become extreme, it is of paramount importance that all participants in the financial planning and investing process have a clear understanding of what the long-term goals are, and what processes are in place to monitor the progress towards these goals. 

Without these mechanisms it is very hard to resist the enormous pressure to follow the crowd; think social media and related influences.

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FATAL: Narcissism

BY DR. DAVID EDWARD MARCINKO MBA MEd

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Imagine if Narcissus had a social media account. Fatal narcissism is what happens when self-love goes off the rails. It’s not just about admiring your reflection; it’s an all-consuming need for admiration and validation. Think endless selfies and humblebrags.

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While a bit of narcissism is normal, fatal narcissism is like a black hole – it sucks in all attention and gives nothing back.

So, if my Instagram looks like a shrine to my own greatness, you might be witnessing fatal narcissism in action.

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NOVEMBER: Lung Cancer Awareness Month

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November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which according to the CDC, is the third most common cancer in the US. There are about one in five lung cancer deaths each year across the country, and November is dedicated to increasing screening, reducing smoking, and finding new treatments.

MORE: https://www.lung.org/

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PARADOX: Generosity V. Miserliness

By Staff Reporters

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According to BC Smith and Hilary Davidson, generosity is paradoxical. Those who give, receive back in turn. By spending ourselves for others’ well-being, we enhance our own standing. In letting go of some of what we own, we better secure our own lives. By giving ourselves away, we ourselves move toward flourishing. This is not only a philosophical or religious teaching; it is a sociological fact.

The the generosity paradox can also be stated in the negative.

By grasping on to what we currently have, we lose out on better goods that we might have gained. In holding onto what we possess, we diminish its long-term value to us. And, by always protecting ourselves against future uncertainties and misfortunes, we are affected in ways that make us more anxious about uncertainties and vulnerable to future misfortunes.

In short, by failing to care for others, we do not properly take care of ourselves. It is no coincidence that the word “miser” is etymologically related to the word “miserable.”

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MEDICAL TESTS: The Surprise Paradox

By Staff Reporters

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THE SURPRISE MEDICAL TEST PARADOX

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Classic Definition:  A doctor announces to her hospitalized patient that there will be a painful medical test sometime during the following week. The patient begins to speculate about when it might occur, until another patient announces that there is no reason to worry because a medical surprise test is impossible.

The test cannot be given on Friday, because by the end of the day on Thursday we would know that the test must be given the next day. Nor can the test be given on Thursday, because, given that we know that the test cannot be given on Friday, by the end of the day on Wednesday we would know that the test must be given the next day. And likewise for Wednesday, Tuesday, and Monday!

Modern Circumstance: The patient spends a restful weekend not worrying about the test, yet is very surprised when it is given on Wednesday. How could this happen?

Paradox Example: There are various versions of this paradox; one of them, called the Hangman, concerns a condemned prisoner who is clever but ultimately overconfident. The implications of the paradox are as yet unclear, and there is virtually no agreement about how it should be solved.

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