46 Comments

1. Humans.

6. Because everyone across the system is deeply invested in delivering excellent care, and since there are no profit motives, all parties work in unison -- with no conflicts of interest either -- to ensure all patients achieve the best possible outcomes.

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Yes! You have nailed the healthcare problem. Perhaps you should turn your talents to other thorny issues like immigration, guns, and climate.

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1. Public speaking to an audience of snakes

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Terrifying.

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Public Speaking to an audience of snakes while having nothing on except for an irritation-causing APAP mask and hose.

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Sep 29Liked by Michael Estrin

Interesting that you open with people fearing public speaking more than death. Ages ago I had this epiphany that all fear comes down to a fear of death. Claustrophobia? Fear of suffocation (and yeah, that’s my number one. No. 2 is clowns.) Heights? Bridges? Falling to death. Water? Fear of drowning. Clowns? Public speaking? Darkness? Death, death, death. Spiders? Snakes? Dogs? Death, death, death. Not sure about the vomiting though. (Choking to death, maybe?)

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I think your epiphany lines up with freud’s theory of Thanatos.

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Yay. No more snoring which also means more energy for you— from what I hear.

I fear not being near a bathroom when I’m out for many hours. My gut is unpredictable. I’ve bought many bags of chips and coffees that I tossed just to use the proprietor’s restroom.

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Your fear is valid. Restroom proximity is a must.

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My husband has been on the couch. For 9 years. I banned him from the bedroom. Since he won’t address his snoring with a dr, I vouch a 4 inch foldable mattress pad for the couch bed for comfort.

This is where I am at. 45 years old and we are acting like elderly folks. We are truly in our “get off our lawn” phase of life, shaking our cane at the kids throwing shit in the patio as they run by.

Yes, that happened, and he scared the shit out of those whippersnapper 14 yr olds.

Glad you are smart enough to get the “marriage saving machine” as it shall now be called henceforth.

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Personally, I’m enjoying this phase. Early bird dinners. Telling kids to get off the lawn. I’m here for it.

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We keep joking that we are counting down to our AARP card. 😂

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Us too. The sweet discounts!

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Another question: WHERE IS MY TROY? I need him. I need him YESTERDAY.

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We have a Troy shortage in this country.

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“BE the Troy you want to see in the world.”

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I've vomited too much to really fear it. I know what a relief it can be, even with it being unpleasant in the moment. My husband will do anything to avoid it. I know when it's best to just give in. Of course having gone through pregnancy is great training.

These people... I'm afraid of really terrifying things like mutilation (can't won't watch any Saw movies) and parasites.

My husband has to do a sleep test next month. He does NOT want to get a sleep machine but they also think it's contributing to his hypertension so he might have to put up with it. I just sleep through it most times, but the noise is nothing compared to the tension of hearing that WAY TOO LONG PAUSE between breaths before he snorts out of it.

I'm also afraid of my loved ones dying.

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Your last fear is my biggest fear. I hope your husband’s test go well. For what it’s worth, the machine has been very helpful. And it’s easier to get used to than I thought it would be.

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Sep 29Liked by Michael Estrin

My sibkid (gender neutral term for niece/nephew) has had a fear of vomit and vomiting for many years. We can’t even discuss someone vomiting around them. I do kind of get it. I don’t vomit often, but when I do, it feels like the worst thing that could ever befall a human. I am always convinced I’m dying, and I reflexively start crying. My last vomit sesh landed me in the ER - very adverse reaction to a new medication.

I’m super afraid of snakes and the dark. And I’m one of those women who would choose the bear over the man. I’ve never encountered a bear that wanted to hurt me, but I can’t say the same about men.

Hooray for saving your marriage and your nose skin!

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Thanks for sharing your sibkid’s experience. That sure sounds like fear all right. And I think I get it. What you described is akin to the way I feel about eye injuries — do not discuss! I get it. Thank you!

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Sep 29Liked by Michael Estrin

I”m afraid of water when I can’t see the bottom.

I prefer the “after” party, whatever that is. You, on the other hand, are the “other” party.

Healthcare is confusing because no one itn it knows what they are doing. They are just as confused as us.

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I’m as puzzled by the after party as the pre-party.

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Sep 29Liked by Michael Estrin

Go Troy!

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No, please don’t go, Troy. We need him.

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Sep 29Liked by Michael Estrin

Have a great vacation.

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I am afraid of vomiting. I thought everyone was. No? I’m not a drinker. Could that be why? Spiders and snakes don’t bother me at all.

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I’m not a drinker either. I hate vomiting, but I wouldn’t say I fear it.

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Sep 29Liked by Michael Estrin

Have a great trip! Glad you’re sleeping well. The stakes are never higher than when you need to save your marriage!

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Thank you!

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In my head, NFL coach Mike Kafka was the one giving you advice.

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Wouldn’t that be great.

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2. I don’t fear vomiting at home, but have a deep fear of vomiting in public.

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1. Yes, humans. Also: rats

2. While don't fear it myself, I do get why others are afraid of it. There is something terrifying about the body's response -- all that seizing up and spontaneous expulsion seems to take over. You never know when it's going to be over. And then there's the clean up afterwards...that said, I am a great cleaner-upper of other people's bodily fluids. I am unfased by gunk no matter where it comes from. Is there a job for me somewhere?

6. Healthcare is confusing because humans got hold of it and tried to make money out of it.

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Interesting question about the fears! I've found it simultaneous exhilarating and terrifying to be up at a very, very tall height. If it's a roller coaster, the climb doesn't bother me, but then the fall is both of those things at once. I climbed up the tower of the Duomo in Florence, too, and anyone who has ever done that will likely remember exactly what I'm describing: this plexiglass cover above the 14th century ledge that is comically short does NOT make me feel comfy walking around there.

But damn, what a view from the top, and I keep thinking about the terrifying/exhilarating walk across that ledge! It was safe, but my body kept insisting it was NOT.

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deletedSep 29
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That's how I feel about Brunelleschi's dome. Yes, it was sheer terror to get up there, but it was also untold bliss... and as odd as it might sound, I think fondly of the terror.

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