In his career-launching, persona-defining film Meatballs, a painfully funny love letter to summer camp, Bill Murray, as head counselor Tripper, coins a phrase rich in his unique brand of irony. In a bizarre, rambling speech to his campers Tripper sparks the world’s least inspiring chant to help them defeat their rich kid rivals from across the lake: “It just doesn’t matter! IT JUST DOESN’T MATTER!” Impossibly, the scene is rousing. It was reportedly improvised, and the viewer watches in mirrored amazement as a cabin full of hapless campers and counselors is lathered to a frenzy after first shaking their heads, then giggling self-consciously, and finally joining in. Indeed, we learn, it matters—because it doesn’t matter. Murray’s sardonic genius captures the poetic beauty of heightened teenage summers. And, oddly, aspirin. Thing is, aspirin for primary prevention just doesn’t matter. Which is why it matters, a lot.
When Mega-Studies Agree
In 1899 a German dye company cleverly trademarked a folk remedy: willow bark, a potent anti-inflammatory, was used for centuries to treat fever and pain. But when Bayer tweaked the active ingredient, mass produced it, and called it ‘aspirin’, the drug became an international sensation.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
