Chances are, the average American physician could use a restorative Netflix binge right now. But time in front of the TV doesn’t have to be completely mindless. Netflix excels at offering documentaries and series that offer glimpses into worlds you might not know and perspectives that you might not have considered. Watch a few of these shows and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more sophisticated physician — one with a more complete understanding of the current political climate and other cultures. Insights in both categories will help you empathize with patients. Now get comfortable, open your mind, and settle in for these 7 shows. 13th The 13th amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” The amendment provides legal justification for incarceration. 13th the documentary explores how prisons and the justice system have exploited the amendment punitively against people of color. In post George Floyd America, this is an essential, thought-provoking exploration of American justice. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat The ingredients for all delicious food the world over — and for a remarkable Netflix series — are Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. The show by the same name features chef Samin Nosrat and her exquisite multicultural exploration of all things tasty. It’s true that you can learn a great deal about a culture by studying its cuisine, and Nosrat accomplishes just that with mouthwatering effect. World War II In Color Seeing the personalities — good and evil — who shaped the modern world in color certainly makes them seem larger than life, but what makes World War II in Color a standout series is its more nuanced take on the history of the war. Much of what Americans learn about the fight is not surprisingly America-centric. This British series highlights contributions from all nations, showing elements of history, glamorous and unglamorous, that American textbooks sometimes omit. Wild, Wild Country The storyline of this documentary seems almost too weird to be real. What happens when a fringe religious group starts to take over a small town in the Oregon desert? Political gamesmanship, racism, mind control, and attempted murder, to name a few. Wild, Wild Country forces viewers to ask themselves uncomfortable questions about the dangers of groupthink, how we respond to perceived outsiders, and the fallibility of the law. Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes The psychiatrists among you likely will be familiar with the Jungian concept of the ‘shadow’ self — the worst parts of your personality. The Ted Bundy Tapes offers an unflinching view of the mind of a sociopathic killer. It’s a chilling look at the dark fantasies that lurk in human minds, and what happens when those fantasies get unleashed. Abstract: The Art of Design The shoes you wear, the house you live in, the designs that adorn basic products, the car you drive, how often do we really look carefully at and consider these everyday objects? When you do, you begin to realize just how much thought and effort goes into creating them. Abstract: The Art of Design offers a window into the creative minds of the world’s leading designers and shows just how much creativity and artistry go into creating all things, from the extravagant to the mundane. Minimalism How much of what we own actually owns us? Modern living requires a certain amount of stuff, but have you ever thought about what you actually need? Minimalism documents a lived experiment in focusing on what things and what ideas are essential for happiness. This documentary might leave you asking what you can do without. Perhaps start with going Marie Kondo on your closet. Source
