Ben-Hur,Techno-prejudice and Health

The other night my wife, Carolyn, and I watched Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ on TCM. This was the original 1925 silent film version starring Ramón Novarro and Francis X. Bushman.

I had literally grown up with the 1959 Charlton Heston CinemaScope epic—having seen the first-run in the theater and many times since on TV.  Yet I hadn't known there was an older film until we saw an ad for it.  

It was nothing short of amazing.  As far as I'm concerned, there are many areas that simply surpass the newer version.  The sea battle scene and the chariot race were extraordinary—exceeding the highly-acclaimed 1959 version in terms of sheer excitement, cinematography, and realism.

Indeed, the whole film was exceptionally engaging.

And, yes, to be sure there was what contemporary audiences would consider the "overacting" of the silent film genre.  But I realized the absolute necessity of that style of acting in silent films since the visual gestures carried so much of the intent normally conveyed by audio dialogue.

Prior to seeing it, I had wondered whether it would even be worth the trouble—given its date and all of the technological advances that had taken place in filmmaking in the intervening 34 years.

After viewing the film—after experiencing it—I recognized my presumption was really a “techno-prejudice” that would have kept me ignorant of the superb qualities of the original.

I had to ask myself how many other things in life am I—are we—making similar assumptions about?

For instance, each day the media regularly reports on new medical technologies that are being promoted as solutions to many of the terrible health problems that humanity faces.  It certainly is fascinating and kudos to all who are striving to bring relief to the vast sea of suffering out there.

But at the same time, there are older systems of health care that have proven their effectiveness for a considerable amount of time—all without the aid of new technologies.  Specifically, I’m speaking about spiritually-based models that many people have found work. 

Just because there is not a technological development associated with them, should we dismiss them out-of-hand? 

Not from my perspective as one who has experienced significantly improved health and well-being from employing a healthcare system that is based on spiritualized thought—Christian Science.   

Now here’s one more point to consider.  Recent medical research is beginning to indicate how spiritual thought has positive effects on health outcomes in a variety of ways—including those suffering with chronic pain. Ways that had not been considered by conventional medicine before.

I guess I have to ask the next obvious question: Where does the cutting-edge in medicine actually reside—technology or thought?