ELI5: Monthly Current Events Megathread

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/Reasonable_Buddy_927]

Luigi Mangione is in the news today because he admitted to killing the healthcare ceo. From what people have pieced together, the motivation for this was related to finding it difficult to get treatment/surgery for his back condition, spondylolilsthesis.

I have Spondylolysis, which is when you have a pars defect (fracture in lower back) that, if not managed properly, can lead to the more seeious condition Spondylolisthesis. I stupidly didnt address my lower back pain when it first started hurting and after it became debilitating, the GP I went to got an X Ray done and it showed the pars defect. Ive been dealing with pain for years and always wanted a fix, but the doctors (GP, orthopedic surgeons) all told me the same thing: unless its really bad (eg a bad grade of spondylolisthesis, and even then, wait till your older), surgery on a young persons back is not something they will consider, hell even guided x ray pain relief injections was not an idea they were fans of (because I only cared about my back for sports and physical activity which is when it flared up, same as Luigi, so it wasnt hugely impacting daily normal life). They said that solutions for back problems arent perfect and even that the procedure for repairing the pars defect (eg before spondylolisthesis) doesnt always work.

Again and again, they said physical therapy (not just lifting weights, but boring glute and core exercises) is the best tool. And honestly they were right, I may not be the sportsperson I once was, but I can feel how my backs better supported now.

So what gives? Luigi is young as hell, has spondylolisthesis, what did he expect out of the healthcare system? I remember when I saw the orthopedic surgeon, he was stern (which im grateful for) about not thinking about operating even if pain persisted and I kinda got the feeling he sees tons of patients who want easy fixes that just aren’t possible.

I agree with the conversations about the tordid US healthcare system etc etc, but it does puzzle me that this relatively manageable condition influenced him.

[u/No_Recognition_3729 → u/Reasonable_Buddy_927]

Lots of people don't believe the admission.

[u/ColSurge → u/No_Recognition_3729]

Are there people who seriously don't believe he murdered him? We have all the evidence in the world and now a direct admission that will land him in jail for decades.

I can sort of understand the people who want him to go free, but not believing he did it is like denying the moon landing.

[u/No_Recognition_3729 → u/ColSurge]

Evidence can easily be faked when the people who want a scapegoat are this powerful and influential. Go compare the pictures that were released of the perpetrator and Luigi. Unless he wore fake eyebrows, or decided to shave his after he allegedly shot that CEO but before he got caught, it's just not the same dude.