The Reductionist is IN

With too much time on our hands, we are obsessed with ourselves. Barbara Ehrenreich visits the catalog of diets, wellness, mindfulness, religion, movements, medicine and idiotic fads that preoccupy so many. Eternal youth, eternal life, and managed death are all symptoms. Taking the view from above, it is of course of no moment in the ongoing universe.

We want to think we can beat the odds and maybe even death. Certainly deterioration is ripe for conquering. So we work out, eat “right”, supplement and moisturize. And if we deteriorate, it must be our own fault. Between the fads, the trends, the diets and the studies, “every death can now be understood as suicide” she says in Natural Causes.

The book is a total pleasure of clear thinking and sober reflection. All of it relatable. Her thoughts are our thoughts, her appreciations our appreciations. Validated and justified and rationalized. Her job has been to collect it all here, and reduce it to its true value and worth. The conclusion she comes to at the very beginning is that life is just a short pause in the ongoing processes of the universe, so don’t torture yourself, and enjoy it while it lasts.

David Wineberg

Barbara Ehrenreich turns commonplace medical and scientific assumptions on their head in this fascinating, far-reaching exploration of how we understand health. From the immune system's role in causing — not fighting — cancer to evidence of "cellular decision making," she breaks down recent scientific discoveries, exploring their philosophical and practical implications. With a dizzying scope, the book touches on the politics of medicalized birth, the absurdity of corporate wellness programs and the secret lives of macrophages. It's an engrossing read, packed with interesting tidbits and feminist and class-conscious analysis.

Highly recommended, whether you're a biology nerd, interested in the philosophy of science or just looking for another reason to skip your next annual medical exam.

Like Barbara Ehrenreich's earlier book, Nickeled and Dimed, her latest - Natural Causes - gives the reader much to think about. This time, Ehrenreich takes on the American health and wellness industries from the medical establishment to fitness gurus. While it started strong, the book tackles many different topics in the twelve chapters, with varied success. Overall, a thought-provoking and educational read.

The author has definitely done her research here, and there are times that the book can be a bit difficult to plow through. It seems as though you're reading articles in a medical journal! However, coupled with her usual wit and snark, the details are tamed down and presented in a way that will really get you to think. Chance of death? Right now, until someone invents something otherwise, 100%. So why ARE we chasing the bunny trail? Follow the money.....