Re: the dentist

Of course, I totally agree. Much of it is a scam. We should all be highly suspicious of these institutions and corporations that have somehow brainwashed us, mainly out of fear induced by false advertising and PR, into trusting them and using them automatically.

I had my teeth cleaned for the first time ever about six months ago. I gave in finally to the pressure of repeated phone calls and cards telling me it was time for my teeth cleaning. However, it's supposed to happen every six months, not out of need - careful cleaning and OP'ing will take care of the hygiene and upkeep, I tend to think - but simply because dentists have decreed it.

So I went in and the hygienist said, "Your teeth look great. You've obviously been taking care of them since your last cleaning." To which I replied, "Actually, I've never had my teeth cleaned." She was shocked. "But you must have, they're so....." So clean, right?

"What's more," I said, after she really hurt me and made me flinch and squirm for twenty minutes, "I will never have it done again."

The woman was mortally offended. "But why not?"

"Because," I said, "dentistry begets dentistry, and every time I have something done I then seem to need another two things done soon afterwards. I refuse to buy into your corrupt system."

She no longer speaks to me, and I have not been invited back. Hah!