Archive for the 'Communications' Category

Weekly Insider 11.17.09

Medical device debate
The New York Times examines how the surging cost of medical devices fits into the debate on health care reform.

Fido’s carbon footprint
Trying to be green? You might want to get rid of Fido. That’s the latest from a
New Zealand study that claims dogs have a larger carbon footprint than SUVs.

Chocolate milk benefits
A new study shows the surprising benefits of consuming a favorite childhood drink: chocolate milk.

The Mandela brand
McMandela? Let’s hope not. Time explores the challenges of protecting the brand of legend Nelson Mandela.

Weekly Insider 11.10.09

Drug-industry lobbying
Time details how drug-industry lobbyists are winning the effort to overhaul the nation’s health care system.

Baby video flap
Upset that your baby’s no genius? Blame Baby Einstein videos! Read the latest news about Baby Einstein’s false claims and retribution offer.

Malpractice malaise
In the ongoing debate on health care reform, Salon offers one doctor’s opinion on why capping malpractice suits won’t make health care cheaper.

Trade show tips
Injectable iron therapy may not seem like an attention-grabber. But Exhibitor Online details the product’s unique trade show exhibit that attracted thousands of booth visitors.

Make it stop

liz joss 2 150x150 Make it stopThink back with me, children, to a time when something happened and we didn’t learn about it until minutes or even hours later—if ever. Every syllable spoken by boys in balloons and senators from Vermont wasn’t flashed across our screens instantaneously, and explaining a complex subject like health care or the designated hitter rule took thousands of words instead of 140 characters. And, if you can imagine it, some things even happened without anyone, anywhere, caring to comment.

Is it any wonder we’re all stressed out by the never-ending parade of things to worry about? Just on Monday, I worried about the vote in Afghanistan, the sincerity of George Clooney’s new girlfriend, whether there will be any swine flu vaccine left for me, the Dow’s rise, North Korea’s nukes, Ruth Reichl’s job prospects, college students’ mental health, and on and on.

But if I try and make it stop by staying away from screens for a day, I know I’ll be at a dinner party staring at the centerpiece while people all around me enjoy lively discussions on the news of the day, the hour, the minute.

So which is better? Information overload? Or willful ignorance? And is there some happy medium?