This may explain Rosenhan. He saw real problems in society: The country was warehousing very sick people in horror houses pretending to be hospitals, our diagnostic systems were flawed and psychiatrists in many ways had too much power — and very little substance. He saw how psychiatric labels degraded people and how doctors see patients through the prism of their mental illness. All of this was true. In many ways, it is still true.One problem with passion in pubic policy is that it can harm the very cause you seek to help. In this case we have people with real mental issues homeless and abusing drugs.
But the problem is that scientific research needs to be sound. We cannot build progress on a rotten foundation.
In disregarding Lando’s data and inventing other facts, Rosenhan missed an opportunity to create something three-dimensional, something a bit messier but more honest. Instead, he helped perpetuate a dangerous half-truth.
And today, what we have is a mental-health crisis of epic proportions. Over 100,000 people with serious mental illnesses live on the streets, while we are chronically short of safe housing and hospital beds for the sickest among us.
It is probably something we should all watch for in causes that we believe in. Any time someone proposes a "simple" or "quick" solution it likely isn't to be a good one, because the real world and real change aren't simple or quick; especially if they are going to be also thorough and lasting.
I fear that for a segment of our population inclined to embrace the power of the state for solutions that is message will not be learned except through great turmoil. I would however strongly recommend those of us with more liberty minded views to not think ourselves immune to this moral hazard, and the very willful blindness of others to it means it is all the more vital that we not succumb as well.
At the risk of being an ass-hat, you might want to look at how you spelled the words in your title. Please delete after reading.
ReplyDeleteThe title box is of course the one without spell-check so it is my constant source of humility. Thank you.
DeleteOne of the biggest problems with being "homeless" (poor) is that you are automatically INSANE. No examination needed. In a tent? Broke? having a beer? YOU MUST BE INSANE! And from that point on you have no chance to live a "normal" life. It is off to the Gulag, for whatever the cop feels like locking you up and robbing you for. Yes some few are crazy. Most are not. They are sane, often sick, poor, and hopeless. Like the "crazy" Vietnam vet's who were dying of 245T Dioxin poisoning. They tried to kill the pain with street drugs because the VA wouldn't treat them. Long ago the poor could build a shack and fish or garden. They could find a way to live. Now the SWAT solution is everything. They are all crazy, so they have no rights. As a wise man said. "The Law in it's majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor from sleeping under bridges and stealing bread." And if you label them all crazy then they have no rights at all. It simplifies your police state.---Ray
ReplyDeleteHence why it isn't as "easy" a problem as that.
DeleteI have just read too many lately who advocate "concentrating" the homeless in "Camps". For there own, and the nation's good. When any nation sees putting people behind the wire at forced labor as a good thing. That nation is lost for any kind of peaceful government change. When you add killing your "no longer human" political opponents to the camp you have the complete package for "new age environmental and population control" Crazy people shouldn't breed anyway----Ray
ReplyDeleteSome people need to be reconnected with their families, some people need nothing more than a shower, clean clothes, and a mailing address to put on a job form, some people need to be incarcerated if they refuse options other than crime and drugs, and yes some people have legitimate mental problems that need inpatient care. Hopefully none of this save family is for the rest of their lives.
DeleteCompassion, intelligence, and resolve cannot be decoupled from each-other if we are to do what is right on a person to person basis. The government has a poor history with any of these virtues alas.