What is Antifragle Fitness?
The human body strengthens from getting dirty, sweaty, and sore. We are what Nassim Nicholas Taleb calls “antifragile.” In his book, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, he coins this term for systems that become more robust rather than weakened or unaffected from unexpected stressors. Citing an array from examples from stock markets, health care, and education, he shuns overprotection and excessive intervention. Our first-world bubbles, Taleb warns us, shield us from physical vigor and thwart our adaptability. Instead of Continue reading
Dissecting a Cadaver to Examine Life
After years of studying movement, dissecting a cadaver felt like shining a flashlight around a familiar cave. A week in an anatomy lab sounded disgusting and morbid to a lot of folks in my life. Yet I knew there was a lot to learn if I got over being spooked or grossed out. Somewhere we are taught that our bodies are gross and should be shrouded so we make various attempts to conceal and contain ourselves. Yet when we die Continue reading
Traveling into the Unknown: Cadaver Dissection
A week away from a thrilling travel experience and I’m getting nervous. I’m not packing a suitcase or checking my passport to prepare. Instead I’m watching videos about cutting up dead bodies. Let me explain: In April I’m attending Gil Hedley’s Hands-On Human Dissection Workshop. The travel will only require a commute into San Francisco but demand an expedition deep into the human body. Gil refers to the participants as “somanuats:” explorers of our inner space. We will unveil each Continue reading
