there are Native American philosophies that view the entire western civilization as a mental illness - based in part on our relationship to material objects.
it is, it is.

but I am really hoping UL will come back with some thoughts on this cheesecake pan
Well you can probably make cheesecakes in just a regular pan, like a regular glass Pyrex or something, I've seen it done. Homemade cheese cakes with a crumbly crust are great (no I don't eat them every day ).