Akeeyu's Law
Is everybody familiar with Godwin's Law?
"As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."
Traditionally, when Godwin's Law is invoked, the thread is over and whoever resorted to Nazi/Hitler comparison is declared to be the loser. Nifty trick, eh?
Now that we're all on the same page, I'd like to introduce Akeeyu's Law, or Infertile Godwin's Law:
"As the number of comments on an infertility blog post increases, the probability of someone declaring that ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) is 'unnatural'/'messing with nature'/'interfering with God's will' approaches one."
Look, if you don't want to mess with nature, I'm sure the Amish or the people living off the grid in Montana would be happy to have you. Those are perfectly acceptable life choices. Really.
If, however, your birth or the birth of your children required any modern medical intervention whatsoever, if you or a loved one has ever been treated for cancer, vaccinated, operated on, taken antibiotics, used an inhaler to treat asthma, worn glasses, popped an aspirin, if you've ever eaten wheat (the original genetically modified food) or any food grown on a large scale farm, if you've ever ridden in a car, and for that matter, if you're um, on the Internet having a discussion, you've pretty much lost the right to assert your moral indignation over what is or isn't 'messing with nature.'
We all mess with nature.
The general rule of thumb is that what you do is 'taking advantage of modern conveniences and advances in scientific technology,' and what other people do is 'messing with nature,' right?
Riiiiight.
Have you been told how smart, funny and beautiful you are yet today? Consider yourself told.
Good stuff.
Posted by: Sensitive Soul | October 29, 2005 at 07:04 AM
I love you. I love you. I love you.
Mike Godwin is a tool, but you, my dear, are not.
Posted by: Julie | October 29, 2005 at 07:19 AM
Touche!
Posted by: erinberry | October 29, 2005 at 09:58 AM
I second that!
Posted by: Tiffanni | October 29, 2005 at 10:44 AM
Brilliant
Posted by: Emily | October 29, 2005 at 11:01 AM
I live in Montana and we have enough wackos all on our own!! Don't come here!!
Plus, anyone who thinks that ART is messing with nature should know that we have RE's up here too. And they took all my money. :)
Posted by: Jessie | October 29, 2005 at 11:08 AM
Oh yes. What you said. Again.
Posted by: thalia | October 29, 2005 at 11:26 AM
How did you sum this up perfectly in a few short paragraphs when I've been futzing around with a novella-length post on this subject for almost six months now?
Geeeeeenius.
--Bugs
Posted by: Dead Bug | October 29, 2005 at 04:54 PM
You=Bad Ass
Posted by: Ollie | October 29, 2005 at 07:06 PM
Amish. Heh. The Amish in Minnesota are being struck down with Polio! That's what they get for not "messing" with nature.
Posted by: Amy | October 30, 2005 at 05:16 AM
Got here from Bugs.
Seriously awesome post.
Posted by: Linda | October 30, 2005 at 06:23 AM
I love you Akeeyu.
Posted by: April | October 30, 2005 at 07:27 AM
I think I'm in love.
Posted by: Menita | October 30, 2005 at 07:43 AM
So perfectly well said...
Thanks.
-D.
Posted by: Donnie | October 30, 2005 at 07:52 AM
Yup. I'm alive today to say that without messing with nature, I would have kicked it years ago. A toast to messing with nature!
Posted by: Amyesq | October 30, 2005 at 11:36 AM
The Internets are lucky to have you, my friend.
Great post!
Posted by: Danae | October 30, 2005 at 11:44 AM
Sooo true. You are a goddess.
Posted by: chris | October 30, 2005 at 12:23 PM
I want to take this post and tape it to myself. Hey, maybe we can get them made into t-shirts? Akeeyu's Law on the front, and the text on the back? I'd buy one.
Posted by: Leggy | October 30, 2005 at 01:42 PM
Right on!
Posted by: labia lady | October 30, 2005 at 03:55 PM
We totally need the t-shirt. You're my hero.
Posted by: Erin | October 31, 2005 at 08:09 AM
I actually had a soapmaker at a craft show I just did berate me for "ruining the environment" because I use fragrance oils in my soap and she's "all natural".
She had an interesting color of burgandy red hair, not normally found in "nature", and wow, I guess she walked to that craft show and couldn't possibly own an environment ruining car, right?
See this discussion goes on everywhere, apparently.
Posted by: Debe | October 31, 2005 at 08:14 AM
Awesome=Akeeyu.
Posted by: Karen | October 31, 2005 at 05:45 PM
You are so right. So, so right.
Posted by: lorrie | October 31, 2005 at 09:17 PM
Eff Batman... you just became my superhero!
Posted by: thisgirl | November 01, 2005 at 08:47 AM
Brilliant!
Posted by: Meg | November 01, 2005 at 07:50 PM
Brilliant!
Posted by: Meg | November 01, 2005 at 07:52 PM
Very succinctly put. And so true.
Posted by: Monique | November 02, 2005 at 07:27 AM
So right on!
Posted by: Sheri | November 02, 2005 at 03:10 PM
Brilliant!
I might add that a pregnant woman told me that Clomid is a bad idea cause I am "shooting the body up with lots of hormones". She was on Depo Provera up until a year before she conceived. First of all, Clomid is not even a hormone, Depo Provera is. How is that she thinks it's ok for her to shoot herself up with 3 months' worth of hormones and it's not ok for me to take Clomid?
Posted by: Ann | November 03, 2005 at 06:33 AM
You rock! I absolutely LOVE your take on things.
Thanks for the utmost honesty & humor in all of your posts..this subject sorely needs it. I look forward to reading your future posts...hang in there :)
Posted by: LifeWithBrokenOvaries | November 04, 2005 at 08:15 PM
I LOVE YOUR TANASITY- I AM SO PROUD AND JOY FILLED TO BE A WOMAN - I ONLY WISH TO HAVE A BIT OF WHAT YOU HAVE - YOU ROCK
Posted by: PATRICIA | October 21, 2007 at 07:10 AM