Protecting Sight #211: How muscles grow and why colonialism is romanticized. Leukocoria in a newborn baby & worsening floaters in a 68-year-old. John Adams rise to prominence against the 1765 Stamp Act.

Welcome to my daily learning journal. My daily goal is to watch one Ted Talk and one cataract surgery. I also plan to read one journal article and read/listen to a book chapter, podcast, or significant work.

Here is today’s list:

1A. Ted Talk – Jeffrey Siegel: What makes muscles grow? “We have over 600 muscles in our bodies that help bind us together, hold us up, and help us move. Your muscles also need your constant attention, because the way you treat them on a daily basis determines whether they will wither or grow. Jeffrey Siegel illustrates how a good mix of sleep, nutrition and exercise keep your muscles as big and strong as possible. [Directed by Brett Underhill, narrated by Addison Anderson].” (ted.com)

The Ted-Ed talk, often less than 7 minutes, are filled with high yield pearls.

1B. Ted Talk – Farish Ahmad-Noor: Why is colonialism (still) romanticized? “Colonialism remains an inescapable blight on the present, lingering in the toxic, internalized mythologies and stereotypes that have outlived the regimes that created them, says historian Farish Ahmad-Noor. Examining why these prejudices and narratives persist (and sometimes thrive), he suggests a multidisciplinary approach to reject cultural obsessions with romanticized history and prevent this nostalgia from perpetuating past oppressions.” (ted.com)

Even as a son of immigrants to the US, I often feel the colonialism of the British presence in India many generations ago. This talk is worth a watch.

2. Cataract Surgery – Uday Devgan MD – Leukocoria in a newborn baby. Dr. Devgan writes, “Leukocoria in a newborn baby is an urgent situation that needs immediate attention from an ophthalmologist. The cause of the leukocoria can be retinoblastoma, congenital cataract, Coat’s disease, Norrie Disease, PHPV, or another issue. The diagnosis must be made in a timely manner and treatment given early in life in order to limit amblyopia and give the best hopes for visual recovery.”

One of Dr. Devgan’s toughest cases of 2020.

3. Gundlach BS, Maya MM, Tsui I. Worsening Floaters in a 68-Year-Old White WomanJAMA Ophthalmol. Published online January 07, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.4612

JAMA Ophthalmology continues to publish excellent clinical challenges.

4. David McCullough, John Adams (2001). Chapter 1, Part II. John Adams rise to prominence with the 1765 Stamp Act. Fascinating.

5. TIP331: INFLATION W/ CULLEN ROCHE. “On today’s show, we bring back investment expert, Cullen Roche, to talk about inflation, the state of the economy, and whether there is a rational argument for stocks trading at 50x earnings.”

This is a favorite podcast for public policy, financial and market insights.

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