#212 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Friday December 3)
Good morning!
CHECKING WITH THE ON-LINE EXPERTS
We have by now all heard the refrain from vaccine deniers that “I’m doing my research.” I’ve been thinking about this a lot. What sort of research are they doing? I’ve been plagued with a back problem and, in that context and with other questions, I’ve tried to get information from sources available on the Internet. Obviously, Johns Hopkins University and the Mayo Clinic are examples of people I try to listen to, if only to confirm what physicians have told me. But primarily, I listen to my doctors. I’m not sure that’s the methodology employed by many people spinning around the Internet worried about their personal health, opportunities for treatment and consequences of various therapies. There is a lot of information and not a lot of thoughtful analysis. It’s often not good for their decision-making and I’m pretty sure it’s not good for their mental wellbeing.
Sadly, there is far too much information out there and there is no “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” available out there to help people assign value to the various sites and purported “experts” out there. I fear that a lot of the “research” gets people to “experts” who are not really experts at all, but people with political, emotional, religious, or other motivations.
WHY NOT TRUST EXPERTS?
We are blessed to live in a society that has allocated out responsibilities for various needs across a wide variety of experts. The metaphor for how society works to provide a product is the story of the simple pencil. There are many people, with various types of expertise and skill, whose work together produces this writing implement. But no one has the expertise to make a pencil themselves.
We rely upon experts for a lot. I can’t fill out my own tax form. I need a CPA. I would never represent myself in court. I get on airplanes all the time, trusting that the pilots got their requisite sleep and are fully engaged. I drive cars, travel on roads, and use devices all created and fabricated by experts.
So why don’t we trust our doctors? Well, for one thing, medical care can be expensive and requires having to get in a car to visit. Because people are so in love with the convenience of their computers, why wouldn’t they do some work? We also have to acknowledge that we have a far more meaningful connection with our own bodies and our health that forces us to look for more—not less—information. My concern, of course, is that the information is obtained from all sorts of sources, including those who are selling medications or procedures. Finally, we are getting generalized advice on the Internet; whereas, if we have a regular health provider, they have specific information about us. And it is that personal relationship that helps us get better results.
We are in serious danger that, with tighter profit margins for doctors and the increased usage of distanced medicine, we are headed to even less personal care and more distance-managed care, with increased involvement of these many Internet “experts.” I fear that one of the greatest aspects of our medical care system—the partnership between doctors and their patients—will continue to degrade.
BEST TV SERIES EVER
The Sopranos. Not really a mini-series but is a series of brilliance. While ostensibly the story of a crime family, really a story of love, loss, family ties, building community, rules (even in lawlessness), personal exploration (especially in Tony’s frequent visits to Dr. Merli), and personal growth. Worth the investment of time and attention. And if you need to review any portion of the dialog, call Ed Weiss. He can recite it all verbatim.
The Wire. Each season (there are five) brimming with characters and stories that interweave and tell the story of Baltimore in its gritty and triumphant glory. Seasons focus on politicians, educators, journalism, crime and policing. Some of the greatest acting by some of actors who have proven their greatness over the years.
Deadwood. Shakespearean in its scope, its observations about humanity, and its dialog. Three seasons and a movie—ten years later—tying it all together. The movie is the best ending to any series, satisfying in every way. The story of a mining camp that grows into a small town, to a community and, with the coming telephones and electricity, full-blown city-hood, with all the heroes, scoundrels, and mixes of the two, both historical and fictional. When you watch, remember that Seth Bullock and Saul Starr (not to mention Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane and others) are real people, whose “real” lives are pretty close to their imagined lives in this beautifully filmed and crafted story.
Have a great day,
Glenn
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