A firm believer in the power of informed consent, Earlstein is appalled by how difficult the medical community makes it for the average person to really understand a condition and make good treatment choices. “There’s no reason why this material can’t be presented in plain English,” he says. “You just have to make an effort to really understand what you’re talking about.”

Although Earlstein makes no claims of being a doctor himself, he does feel he has a good role as an interpreter. “I don’t write about any condition until I’ve studied the material and have a good handle on the mechanics of the problem or the illness,” he said. “I’m not shy about calling up a doctor or surgeon and asking questions.”

Recently, when his eye doctor told him he was suffering from eye strain, Earlstein immediately began to research the condition. “I knew I had been staring at the computer a lot,” Earlstein said. “I didn’t know that just getting lightly tinted lenses in my glasses could help. I’m still gathering information and yes, there’s a book in the works.”

When asked if he prefers writing over teaching, Earlstein makes it very clear that in his mind, he’s still a teacher. “I’m just using a different method,” he says. “One where I don’t have to listen to the snores if I put anyone to sleep!” Show Less