Induced Compliance

Induced Compliance
REINALDO ESCOBAR, Havana | Junio 09, 2015

What has come out in the magazine Muy Interesante (Very Interesting)
generates no surprise, but what is published in the newspaper Granma
causes astonishment.

In the "Direct Line" section, on page 4 of the edition of June 6, under
the title, "Are there foods that wake us up and foods that relax us?" we
learn that research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
has demonstrated that "the proteins of eggs, meat or fish bring tyrosine
to the brain, an amino acid that increases the production of
neurotransmitters that keep the mind alert, focused and productive
(dopamine and norepinephrine)."

The article adds that "when tyrosine levels drop we suffer apathy and
lack of motivation. If the proteins wake us up and accelerate our
thinking, relaxation usually comes from carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta,
rice, bananas .. .). These foods induce the release of insulin, which
eliminates from the blood almost all amino acids except tryptophan,
which exercises a soothing effect."

My namesake, the commentator Reinaldo Taladrid, takes the opportunity to
say here, "You may draw your own conclusions." Obviously, MIT lost a
golden opportunity in our country for study, especially in the times of
the microjet bananas that eventually became our daily bread during the
harshest times of the Special Period, moments in which in other
better-fed latitudes they wondered at the resignation of Cubans in
enduring such hardships.

This massive obedience, which the Party-State characterized as conscious
and unconditional support, should be attributed exclusively to the diet
the population was subjected to, though no one would seriously affirm
that such dietary restrictions obeyed a scientific plan conceived by
some malign genius, but at least it is a detail that should not escape
observers of our reality.

It should be added that the effects of this lack of motivation could
extend beyond the scarcity of political rebellion and also contribute to
that widespread listlessness in production and the delivery of services,
which disappears almost by magic when the poorly-fed Cubans jump to
other frontiers in which they are converted into beings fiercely eager
for prosperity. There they are seen to work without rest, creating with
imagination and protesting in freedom.

Is it just a matter of chemistry?

Source: Induced Compliance -
http://www.14ymedio.com/englishedition/Induced-Compliance_0_1794420552.html