As a kid, I always liked the brown crusty edges of bread and the two extreme-end slices (that are completely crusty on one side) way more than the white portion. Even now, I really like the brown bits and eat them first.



No one else in my family liked bread enough to eat it so I had no idea that many people actually prefer to throw the brown crusty edges out when they make sandwiches. I am constantly amazed whenever some kid makes a fuss about the edges. Surely everyone knows the crust is the most delicious part of any bread!!? If I were given a choice, I would like all my slices to be the extreme-end slices.

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PS: Extreme-end slices toasted with a hint of hummus, mint sprigs and raw crispy red onions. Mmmm...

How do you know you are asking the right questions in research? I was in a fascinating meeting with a brilliant basic science researcher at Roswell recently. I went in with my ideas and background and after the discussion, came out with a virtual unique-coloured lens that lends an entirely new perspective to what I thought I knew before.

There are infinite ways to look at a problem. And of course, there are infinite problems. So in the midst of all this infinity, how do you pick the one problem, the one perspective that really will go forward and help the patients? How?

If you trawl through NIH RePORT website you will be amazed at how many billions and billions of dollars have been awarded to the vast landscape of researchers and institutions across the board. Research has become an industry. But what are the products that this industry is so industriously producing? How many of these generously funded projects are actually making any tangible positive impact on what an average patient with cancer is going through? Are we even thinking of this patient?

Is it possible to think of the patient when you are dabbling in population research and you can't really say anything with a lot of certainty about any one individual? I thought about all of this after the meeting. There are so many ways I could dissect what I know. How would I really know which approach is the correct one that will perhaps lead me a smidgen closer to my personal objective? Time will tell - but I wish there were some kind of certainty today and at this very moment.

I could present a counter argument to my own thoughts that Science is always a quest towards the unknown - and so it is perhaps prudent not to look at the ends too much. But I am conflicted about treating Science as an abstract entity. I want to be involved and productive in Science that has a tangible practical impact on people who need it the most. I am just not clear about the path to this personal Nirvana, though. This lack of clarity worries me... I need to work out a way to cut through some of this smog of consciousness.

Meanwhile, I am loving this speech by Atul Gawande. Even more entertaining are the comments. Spot on!

You don't know where the solar plexus is? Really? It lies tangent to the velluvial matrix, just below the avorial passages.

I have seen the swallow-dance incorporated into so many films and videos, but I think this is probably right up there among my favourites.

I was expecting the motor to give way before this happened.


I knew this day would come, with all the torture I put it through but it's depressing, nevertheless.

The gorgeous opening sequence of the Pillars of the Earth.

::Download Flash Video::

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With an awesome score by Trevor Morris.

Without the SFX

::DOWNLOAD SOUND::