Gooby's Journey From Neurosurgeon to Advocate

Jul 25, 2024

Gooby's Lecture: Why Quit Neurosurgery

Introduction

  • Gooby, former neurosurgeon.
  • Studied at MIT, graduated in medicine and trained in neurosurgery for 10 years.
  • Quit after nearly 20 years in the field, raising many questions from others.
  • Reason for making the video: to organize thoughts and help those struggling.

Initial Reasons for Becoming a Doctor

  • Desire to help people and alleviate suffering.
  • Influenced by a professor's teachings about alleviating suffering during the medical oath ceremony.
  • Curiosity about how the brain works and perceives.

Study and Research Process

  • Specialized training connecting the brain with computers through brain-computer interfaces.
  • Worked with mice and electrodes, realizing technological limitations.
  • Performed spine and nerve surgeries for 6 years.

Limitations and Challenges

  • Technology didn't address the fundamental issues of the brain, leading to work frustrations.
  • Performed spine surgeries, but many still didn’t fully recover.
  • Example of a leaking roof: Surgery is like fixing the walls but not the roof.

Understanding the Real Causes

  • Food quality and lifestyle habits are more important than surgery.
  • Those who eat less salt, consume plant-based foods, don't smoke, drink less alcohol, have good social networks, get enough sleep, and reduce stress recover quickly.
  • The current healthcare system doesn't encourage this approach as it doesn’t generate profit.

Ethical Crisis and Decision to Quit

  • Conflict between personal ethics and the job made Gooby increasingly disheartened and distressed.
  • Decision supported by wife's encouragement and family savings.
  • Concluded that continuing in a job they didn't believe in was not possible.

Life After Quitting the Profession

  • Spent time in nature, caring for dogs, and losing weight.
  • Made videos to document memories with dogs and share nature with others.
  • Realized that natural light and sounds from nature help reduce stress and psychological suffering.
  • In summary, despite no longer performing surgeries, Gooby found other ways to help people alleviate suffering.

Lessons and Advice

  • Trust your heart and rely on love from those around you.
  • Do what’s necessary to reduce suffering and live happily.