From the Walls of Mr. James Odett

James V. Odett (1902-1963) lived his whole life in Winnipeg, Manitoba as an antiques dealer. His shop, Odett's Antiques, ran from 1923 at 1163 Portage Avenue until Mr. Odett became ill in the summer of 1962. Mr. Odett left behind a surprising amount of 'artwork' (poems, stories, drawings, paintings, even songs), which he stuffed into the walls of his house. It is only recently that we have discovered this (after some much needed renovations). The Council for Dissemination and Misappropriation (a group originally started my James himself, under the name The Misuse Society) here presents some of the materials uncovered. Mr. Odett often claimed that people from the future would steal his 'art', and that he often went into the future to take it back. The songwriter Butter Vaughn Kingson bases a lot of his music on the writings and 'artwork' of Mr. Odett.

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Wed Mar 25

Concerning Deepak Chopra

Dear Victoria General Hospital Foundation,

I am appalled to learn that Deepak Chopra is not only coming to Winnipeg, but is being supported and sponsored by the Victoria General Hospital Foundation. I am also confused by the fact that what I thought would be a scientific establishment, a hospital which I hope for other people’s sake keeps itself up-to-date with the latest in scientific understanding and achievements, would align itself with the pseudoscientific, obsurantist, solipsistic charleton and quack Deepak Chopra. This is a man who despises modern and conventional medicines and replaces it with such things as “by consciously using our awareness…you can tell your body not to age,” and “if you have happy thoughts, then you make happy molecules”. These are damaging and destructive ideas for people facing REAL diseases and disorders, and I am afraid that people would think that such debasement of scientific knowledge acceptable when backed by what I thought was a reputable foundation. Surely, SURELY!, the money spent on this alliance could be better distributed. Money that instead is contributing to the undermining of science and reason. Perhaps the Victoria General Hospital Foundation should also embrace the warm, fuzzy arms of The Secret, or perhaps to the production of the newest herb that claims to ‘work wonders’ on your immune system, or perhaps the Q-Ray Ionized Bracelet (as seen on TV). Perhaps now you may, and if you do, I will no longer be surprised. If healthcare is anything, it is not about deluding oneself into believing such nonsense, and the Victoria General Hospital should remove its support from this placebo-incarnate.

Dishearteningly yours,
James V. Odett

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