Path: e420r-atl2.usenetserver.com!newsfeeds-atl1.usenetserver.com!sjc70.webusenet.com!news.webusenet.com!newsfeed-west.nntpserver.com!hub1.meganetnews.com!nntpserver.com!newsfeed.news2me.com!newsfeed2.easynews.com!newsfeed1.easynews.com!easynews.com!easynews!beamish.news.atl.earthlink.net!news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!harp.news.atl.earthlink.net!not-for-mail
From: "Allen L. Barker" <alb@datafilter.com>
Newsgroups: alt.mindcontrol,alt.politics.org.cia,alt.politics.org.covert
Subject: profiles in gynecology
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 02:53:12 -0500
Organization: No Dismay
Lines: 52
Message-ID: <3DD204E8.6F0D23ED@datafilter.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: a5.f7.7c.98
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Server-Date: 13 Nov 2002 07:52:59 GMT
X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.78 [en] (X11; U; Linux 2.4.9-31 i686)
X-Accept-Language: en
Xref: usenetserver.com alt.mindcontrol:125467 alt.politics.org.cia:133924 alt.politics.org.covert:111703


[Is is better or worse when, years later, the "reasons" for a
conspiracy seem ridiculous?  People have been persecuted and
killed for their ideas since Cain killed Abel.  The persecutor 
perceives that the idea threatens of one of his or her precious 
nuggets of ignorance.  Or it is just an irrational hatefulness 
and mob psychology that is expressed as an ideological thing.
Or a more mercenary hate, based on perceptions of money and power.
Or jealousy, envy, etc., the ages-old list goes on.  Statistically, 
those inclined to torture and persecute people likely skew toward 
the ignorant to begin with.  Galileo is the classic case, but the 
theme repeats throughout history.  I recall reading the obituary 
of a British scientist who, early in the 20th century, worked out the 
theory of black holes.  Due to ridicule he was driven out of the 
country.]



http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/2002/11/110602.html

PROFILES IN GYNECOLOGY

Not particularly related to secrecy, but remarkable nevertheless 
is the case of Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis, a pioneering 19th
century Viennese gynecologist who ultimately saved the lives 
of countless infants and mothers through his discovery of one
of the major causes of infant mortality.

Specifically, Semmelweis figured out that the midwives' dirty 
fingernails and other poor hygienic practices could cause fatal
infections.

Yet Semmelweis "found it impossible to propagate his discovery 
in Vienna because doctors with political influence who were
opposed to his findings saw to it that he was excluded from 
positions where he might implement those findings, and
professionally discredited him.

"Semmelweis died in a mental institution some fifteen years 
after his life-saving discovery, unable to cope with the ridicule 
that had been heaped upon him and his life's work." (A. Janik 
and S. Toulmin, "Wittgenstein's Vienna," p. 35)

A capsule biography of Semmelweis (in German) may be found here:

     http://www.m-ww.de/persoenlichkeiten/semmelweis.html



--
Mind Control: TT&P --> http://www.datafilter.com/mc
Allen Barker