Author: Josh Witten

http://www.thefinchandpea.com

“Three Amigos” too sophisticated for some

My previous post uses a line from The Princess Bride as its title (“I do not think it means what you think it means.”)*:

Vizzini: HE DIDN’T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE.
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

which made me think about another exchange in another cultural classic regarding word definitions: the plethora of pinatas scene from ¡Three Amigos!:

Jefe: I have put many beautiful pinatas in the storeroom, each of them filled with little suprises.
El Guapo: Many pinatas?
Jefe: Oh yes, many!
El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
Jefe: A what?
El Guapo: A *plethora*.
Jefe: Oh yes, you have a plethora.
El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
Jefe: Why, El Guapo?
El Guapo: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora.
Jefe: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?

which caused me to see the “Goofs” section, which was headlined by this gem:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When the three amigos are singing by the campfire, Dusty is holding what appears to be a nylon-string guitar. When he starts to play Blue Shadows, the sound we hear is from a steel-string guitar.

Clearly, ¡Three Amigos! is a bit too sophisticated for some internet denizens, which is sad, because I pretty sure I understood the comedy by the time I was ten, which means my brother understood it by the time he was eight. Folks, “goofs” are mistakes**. This is comedy. Sadly, this is not the only example:

Revealing mistakes: When the Three Amigos jump onto their horses from behind, you can see three mini tramps behind the horses.

Revealing mistakes: At El Guapo’s birthday party, as he stands to open his present, his chair gets stuck to his behind and Jefe is forced to pull it off for him.

Revealing mistakes: Dusty’s guitar grips don’t change in accordance with the music heard, in fact he’s using the same grip in each shot we see him play the guitar.

*We now call these culturefs, because we are both precious and dorky. Also, IMDB, only 8.1/10 for The Princess Bride. Really? Are you the East German judge? What in the name of all that is holy and good in this world is wrong with this film?

**Technically, I have no knowledge that these were intentional, but the point is that they work within and enhance what the film is trying to achieve.

In which hipster irony is killed…

…by Marc Maron (see WTF Podcast Episode 161 – Joe Rogan).

What does it mean that “its ironic”?. . .Is that your excuse for not committing to your emotional reaction to it? Is an ironic disposition another form of cowardice?. . .in some situations, if you think you have ironic detachment, you are more depraved. . .because you are disingenuous, you are dishonest, your ironic detachment makes you half a person, makes you lack a self, makes you a coward. . .
-Marc Maron (transcription and, therefore, any errors are mine)

‘Star Trek’ Microscope

The Next Generation. That is what it looks like. A table sized, touchscreen microscope view screen. I could use one of these bad boys.

 

X-Hero and Male Enhancer (When supplements “work X)

Shockingly, two “dietary supplements” for male enhancement have been found to contain active ingredients that happen to treat erectile dysfunction. Effectively, these products are unannounced and unregulated versions of Viagra (X-Hero) and Cialis (Male Enhancer), both of which have risks of negative interactions with other drugs. These interactions can only be avoided if individuals are aware that they are being exposed.

FDA lab analysis of X-Hero found the product contains sulfosildenafil, the analogue of the active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), making X-Hero an unapproved drug. In addition, FDA analysis of Male Enhancer sample found the product contains tadalafil, the active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), making Male Enhancer an unapproved drug.

The products pose a threat to consumers because they may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. ED is a common problem in men with these conditions, and they may seek products to enhance sexual performance.

–FDA Medwatch (emphasis added)

Soladek: Too much of a good thing (When supplements “work” IX)

No undeclared ingredients here, just dangerous levels of Vitamins A & D in an effectively unregulated dietary supplement called Soladek Vitamin Solution.

ISSUE: Tested samples of Soladek contained levels of vitamin A and vitamin D that were many times the recommended daily allowances for these vitamins. . .Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include anemia, anorexia, alopecia, joint pain, bone weakness, bulging eyes, liver abnormalities, and birth defects. Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in mental status, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rate or rhythm, kidney damage, and coma.

–FDA Medwatch

For vitamins, like many biochemically active compounds, more is not better. Rather, the body wants the right amount. Many vitamins are water soluble and very difficult to overdose on, as you simply eliminate the excess in your urine. Vitamins A & D are fat soluble and not so easily removed.

Usually, these cases have not been associated with reports of health problems. Not so in this case.

The FDA received seven reports of serious health problems occurring in consumers using the product. The problems include decreased renal function, elevated levels of calcium in the blood, fatigue, heart arrhythmia, vomiting, and diarrhea.

-FDA Medwatch