Mike Emanuele        11/6/16

INTD 105-19 Science Writing      about 150 words

In her article “On Immunity,” Eula Bliss talks about the struggle between the herd mentality and the homestead mentality. The herd mentality is a hive mind pertaining to a specific group of people. Like sheep, everyone moves in the same direction. If one makes a stupid decision, everyone makes stupid decisions, or if one person gets sick everyone gets sick. This leads to the homestead mentality: where people on care for themselves and the ones close to them. On the topic of vaccination, most mothers won’t treat their kids to every vaccination because they believe it’s not for people like them. They believe in the separation from the herd. Personally I think it’s absurd for someone to think that they’re different than someone else when it comes to health, especially comparing a mother’s intuition to scientific research. I believe everyone should get the necessary vaccinations because it not only keeps you healthy but everyone in the community. However, I found it fascinating how powerful a homestead mentality can be, even when putting people at risk.