Topic 1.4 Health (submission for discussion board

Author: Tim Holland
Date: Monday, September 20, 2010 5:49:48 PM WST
Subject: Eysenbach reading

Please post any comments on the Eysenbach et al readings here.

Thanks

Tim

I am interested in the privacy aspect of posting personal medical information on line, Eysenbach broached the subject stating that it was a complex issue, ephemeral as any web based information is permanently archived and as such anyone even future employers could possibly access personal past health problems. I find this disconcerting. I have worked in a health based facility and as such had access to others health records as we were linked to all doctors within the state. Even though there are strict non disclosure agreements that have to be signed upon entering employment, what if this is breached by others? With the increased occurrence of hacking of systems how safe are our health records now. How safe were our health records in the first place. I don't particularly want anyone to be able to view my health data unless it's either my-self or my respective doctor.

Topic 1.5 Faith, discussion board response

Author: Tim Holland
Date: Monday, September 20, 2010 6:07:43 PM WST
Subject: Threat to religious institutions?

One of your discussion topics this week is:

The Internet is a threat to religious institutions. Discuss.

There are lots of aspects to this question but I wonder about a) the number
of competing belief systems available on the Internet and the
possibility that a person could change religions
b) Internet based attacks, condemnations and exposes of particular religions and c) the
proliferation of misinformation about religious belief.

The Internet is a threat to religious institutions?I doubt that the internet could be a threat to religious institutions for a couple of reasons. People will ultimately decide for themselves what they believe in and where they will practice. Some could and probably do use the internet to engage and connect with others of ilk belief structure if they have no support or "real life" institution near. If religion is going to flourish within the 21st century then it needs to adapt and keep pace with ways of communicating their chosen message to the masses. Of course there are always those who react strongly and negatively to other religions and utilise the openness of the world wide web to promote their own distaste but again from a readers perspective people will decide for themselves what they believe in and what they read on the web and closing a browser is only one click away.