Escalophobesis

THERE ARE TIMES when I think I should avoid being so critical and derisive of bad research. Then I infallibly remember that bad research hinders our specialty, costs money, and, most of all, bad research conducted by overly influential individuals causes permanent damage to the minds of younger intensivists.

The worst hypothesis ever made is now more than 25 years old, and it still harms patients’ bodies and physicians’ minds.

My topic today is tight glycemic control in the context of critical care. The promoters of this approach can’t realize the inadequacy of their conjecture and the shallowness of their knowledge. Notwithstanding being lost in the foggy maze of their thoughts, they fantasize that they are doing great.

Unlike Theseus, our escalophobetic thought leaders didn't pay heed to Ariadne. They entered the maze and never returned. Inside the labyrinth, they thrived and forgot the walls were built by their imagination. They think it's real. They became the Minotaur. Young flesh from those entering the labyrinth is their feast.

Your flesh.

Silence. Listen still.

Over your left shoulder.

Ariadne offers the thread.