What we eat

I'm a fan of Discover magazine, and this article is one of the many reasons why. It seems that after digestion, genetic matter from vegetables continues to circulate through the human bloodstream. On a molecular level, what we eat becomes part of what we are.

Isn't that true of every part of our lives? What we take in becomes part of what we are. Not the sum total of course, but part, perhaps even a large part. It reminds me of a Star Trek TNG episode called "The Mind's Eye." In it, Geordi

is assaulted with disturbing visual images by Romulan captors. His sense of justice and loyalty are twisted into what his captors want. Of course, since he needs to be a loyal Star Fleet officer in the next episode, the damage done while under this mind control is limited and his friends from the Enterprise help him through his transition back into the fold. The beauty of fiction.

In reality, whatever we fill our bodies or minds with becomes part of us, literally. So the choices become clear - do I want Jersey Shore to become part of me? Do I think celebrity news is worth digesting? Not a chance. I'm continually surprised by the number of perfectly intelligent people who eat that stuff up.