links for 2010-04-21

links for 2010-04-20

Fed up with platic bags

image from www.flickr.com One thing I've noticed here in the US is that there is trash everywhere, collecting in the "unspace", places where there is no movement or wind or people to brush them away.

A few things stick out – styrofoam cups, plastic drink covers, and plastic bags.

My proposal: Plastic is to be prohibited for uses where the lifetime of use is less than a day.

Can we start with that?

Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts could start by no longer using those plastic cup covers that have a very short usage life but a very long trash life. Next, all fast food places could stop using any sort of plastic for drinks, utensils, plates, covers,and wrapping.

I think the cost of whatever alternative we come up with to match the convenience and public health features of plastic will be significantly outweighed by the reduced cost to our environment and reduced pollution.

What do you think?

Check out the great promotion by the Body Shop (image inset).

links for 2010-04-18

  • "Historians and other interpreters of the massacre, however, have ignored or avoided the question of intent. They haven’t investigated whether the soldiers fired purposefully at particular persons. Their accounts create the impression of the troops shooting mindlessly and arbitrarily at an undifferentiated mass of humanity."

    Yet a closer examination suggests a new possibility — a possibility that tips the scales towards military culpability. Some of the soldiers got away with murder.

Moderating panel on “Healthcare 2.0: The Impact of Social Media on Health Information”

image from www.flickr.com Babson College's Health and Life Sciences Club are hosting their 7th annual industry forum tomorrow. I'll be moderating a panel on social media and health care.

The panel will be at 1:15-2:45 at Knight Auditorium at Babson in Wellesley.

It's a great spread and I think we'll cover a bunch of interesting topics. We have folks from pharma, hospitals, media, and patient advocacy. If all the panelists agree, there will be an audio recording as well, which I'll share here as soon as I can.

Link: Healthcare 2.0: The Impact of Social Media on Health Information

Social media has proven to be a powerful tool for connecting patients, caregivers and doctors. Blogs and niche social media sites are connecting patients dealing with disease and illness in a way that wasn’t possible just 10 years ago. This shift has empowered patients to take control of their health through the support of individuals in similar situations. How will these environments continue to evolve and what future role will they play in the treatment paradigm?

Panelists:

  • Charlie Schick – Senior Web Producer, Children's Hospital Boston (Moderator)
  • Tony Cotrupi – Principal, PARTNERS+simons
  • "e-Patient Dave" deBronkart – Patient Engagement Consultant and co-Chair, Society for Participatory Medicine
  • Ben Heywood – Co-Founder and President, PatientsLikeMe
  • Shwen Gwee – Lead, Digital Strategy and Social Media, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Image from State Records NSW (Australia)

links for 2010-04-13

links for 2010-04-12

links for 2010-04-11

links for 2010-04-09