The ending chapters of the Ghost Map prompted some serious thinking for me concerning the stubbornness or hardheadedness of group thinking. When the entirety of Broad Street and its inhabitants believed that the smell was the demon that was causing them all to contract cholera, they were succumbing to an easy explanation. However, once the thinking became accepted among the majority, it was almost impossible to shake from their psyches. This is especially the case because biologically we are wired to sense smells and detect them as either helpful (in the case of food), or harmful (in the case of excrement, poision, etc.). Since the disease spread so quickly, and the smells from cesspools, etc. were so easy to pinpoint, the airborne idea was an easy pill for citizens to swallow. It was only through Snow’s determination to bring health and knowledge to the city that the previous myths were shattered. I was incredibly inspired by his work and relentless innovation and research in spite of opposition.
His path towards a more informed culture among disease leads the way for other aspiring health teachers and innovators. As an aspiring yoga instructor, I relate to his efforts. I want to someday show the world how interconnected and beneficial yoga is to the mind and consciousness. It is not just an exercise of flexibility, as is the common myth. Instead, it involves complicated brain science, and when practiced often enough and combined with meditation can bring immense healing to trauma patients or those with PTSD.
In conclusion, nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems in this world of waterborne bacteria and mythological health scares. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to uncover the multi layered fringes of our health epidemics and medications.
Annaliisa Gifford
Hi Annaliisa,
Make sure you change your category from “uncategorized” to the correct date so that you get credit for your work!