“I have Mononucleosis because WebMD said so.”

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No, you do not have Mononucleosis. No, WebMD is not your doctor.

The internet has brought us a a vast variety of resources. Endless possibilities. Most unreliable ones that we rely upon for far too much. Take for instance – WebMD.

“WebMD provides valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information. You can trust that our content is timely and credible.”

WebMD is amazing in providing information regarding many different health information. WebMD also provides for us a symptom checker. Over the years, they have updated their website and has become a lot more interactive.

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It takes you step by step, with their dummy human body to your left, you click on what body part you would like to focus on. After you do so, there will be another area in which you will choose your symptoms. It will show you the choices you have made and lastly it will tell you your possible conditions. WebMD makes it clear that “This tool does not provide medical advice It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice and diagnosis.” But how many of us have been in a situation where we check our symptoms online, and have assumed the worst. Seems so naive to do so, but we do do it. Ever so naturally.

WebMD, like any other places of resource, should be used under discretion. By all means, this does not mean that WebMD are providing us wrong information, but that the information that is being providing for us shouldn’t automatically mean we have a disease after we complete their symptom checker. Don’t take granted the easy accessed health information we have provided, many of these things a like could only help our generation succeed. But if you are sick – check with your doctor – not with WebMD Symptom Checker.

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Do you share too much online?

We live in a generation where social media and the online world is a part of our lives. Just as I’ve mentioned in my previous post – it is hard for us to find a happy medium. At times it could disrupt our lives in ways we can’t control. But a lot of these issues could be traced back to our actions. As a frequent user of multiple social medias, I have learned that I’ve become a little obsessed. It’s not because I want attention – most of the time I post things because I have family overseas. Because of social media, I am able to share moments with my family that live so far away.

I also post a lot of my daughter, what we do on a daily basis, what we eat, what we buy, and pretty much anything that is considered “post worthy”. I read on to Facebook all the time, and am usually appalled by what I see. There are a lot of unethical issues that make it clear that people share the wrong things. I’ve seen someone post a picture of their dead grandfather in their casket. Why is this socially acceptable? Why do people think it’s okay to post and make it public to the world of a dead body?

Our privacy has become transparent. There are things you should and shouldn’t do when you share something on your social media. It is invasive to our privacy and even when you aren’t permitting to share too much – you could find almost any information you want on someone through the use of the internet. It’s a scary thing..

 

Here is a great video made by the Coalition on the same topic.

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Has Relationships Become All Too Impersonal?

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You may not realize but a lot of ways we communicate are in ways electronically. By this I mean, texting on our cellphones, emailing, social media sites, rating your favorite restaurant.. The list is endless. The point that I am trying to make is of the obsession with relaying what ever information we may have in a blink of an eye. Now, you maybe asking, “Okay, and? What’s the problem?” In my defense, I am obsessed with the way our generation  has been able to cultivate all these wonderful technological advances and have made the world a better place. But what I am saying is that, sometimes you lose some things when it comes to communicating electronically.

Now, how many times have you had an argument because someone said something to you through text that seem offensive. Or how about when you saw a post on Facebook that made you think otherwise about your relationship with that person. According to ‘Business2Community’ human interaction is diminishing among our society. By communicating through electronic media, well lose the connections because we are aren’t making the connections.

Okay, yeah I get it. Communicating this way is convenient is so many different ways. But my point here is that, yes, use your iPhone so that it can benefit you in ways imaginable. No, it is not your life either. The human brain is one of the most beautiful thing in this world, so connect with another brain. Conversations face to face is nothing in comparison to a text. You can’t learn to love someone by texting this. Yes, it helps us communicate, but you we shouldn’t rely on the uses of these media in the way of building a relationship or a connection of any sort.

Again, to be clear, I need electronic media has help tremendously. But use it as a bridge. There needs to be a medium in all this. We can’t all stay and obsess over our phones. There is a solution out there – we just all have to find our balance.

 

Resources:

http://www.business2community.com/communications/electronics-making-communication-impersonal-0798595

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About Me

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My name is Jan Espinosa, I am a Penn State University student, studying Corporate Communication at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

I am a very well rounded individual with real life experiences.

Currently a full time student and the General Manager and Part Owner  at The Green Pepper restaurant.

I am known to strive for perfection and to finish strong.

I pride myself in a strong work ethic and the ability to advance through any type of obstacles.

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