I read this interesting article on the way home today about George Price, a man who wrote about a theory that altruism is self interest in disguise. People will be willing to display altruistic behaviour to those who are genetically similar to themselves because by nature of self selection, we want to preserve our genetic heritage. Unfortunately, after writing about this theory and trying to prove this theory wrong himself by giving money to the poor, he committed suicide.

It's a controversial topic, I remember reading extensively around it while preparing for GP. It is difficult to believe that people are motivated solely by self interest, and to reduce every decision made into a mathematical calculation of benefit and cost. I believe that it is way more complex than that; that altruism is beautifully humane, and things such as love cannot be adequately represented in equation or in words.

I've had a few of these reflective moments on the journeys from the east. These few weeks have been tiring, I think that the really long journeys home, compounded with the fact that # is really not my cup of tea, contribute to this. From this posting, I'm reminded more about the things that I really appreciate in Internal Medicine :D But, things to be happy for include a cheap and fast drinks stall in the canteen with good kopi, yummy waffles for $1.50, and traveling to the sunrise in the morning haha!