Rethinking Markets

I’ve been sitting on this graphic, pulled from a hospital form I once received, or sign I once snagged. If you or someone you know has been through anything at all, you’ve seen this chart:

This is my continuum??

I have always meant to write about the attempted power of medical hegemony captured in this sign, that the appropriate range of emotion you are supposed to exhibit ranges from big smiles to sad and crying. Because when I feel hurt, my face is not on the chart. My face is more like this:

What number is this, doctor?

Now comes news that swearing helps ease pain. I feel vindicated, you controlling SOBs.