CPAPtalk - First Ripples of Revolution?

[NightHawkeye]

Many of us here have discovered that being in control of our own health care decisions brings amazing benefits. I don't think I'm alone in believing that I won't go back to dealing with healthcare providers the way I did previously.

While I've also been of the opinion that continuing the current healthcare system was untenable, it never really struck me before that radical change in the healthcare industry would be driven by the internet, that is, until glancing through PC magazine this morning.

John Dvorak, chief sage and prognosticator at PC Magazine, devoted an entire column in the latest issue to the internet phenomenon causing the demise of certain industry excesses. Specifically, he mentioned open-source as being unstoppable now, and to me, that is an amazing statement coming from a magazine heavily dependent upon Microsoft. Also, in relation to the revolution occurring within the music industry, he brought up the matter of the independent recording artists who thumb their noses at the megalith recording conglomerates, and who wind up being more successful as independents. Both the open-source and the indie phenomenons, at the very heart, are about maintaining personal control rather than ceding power to an anonymous and impersonal corporate entity.

Clearly, the internet has spawned a way to chip away at the monstrous monopolies of certain big businesses. I just have to wonder if CPAPtalk isn't helping to accomplish very much the same thing within the healthcare industry. The open flow of information here is just amazing sometimes.

Regards,
Bill

[krousseau]

I don't know about you but at 65, for me, the thought of fomenting a revolution is rather rejuvenating.

[Amigo]

...Clearly, the internet has spawned a way to chip away at the monstrous monopolies of certain big businesses. I just have to wonder if CPAPtalk isn't helping to accomplish very much the same thing within the healthcare industry. The open flow of information here is just amazing sometimes.

Regards,
Bill

Viva la revolution!

Newspapers are another dying breed, and you can totally forget about those 5 second sound-bites that are supposed to represent "world news" from the networks. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the networks fade from the scene completely within the next 10 years as they are already in financial trouble.

My one big concern, however, has to do with corporate control of the Internet. The 'big boys" are already lobbying for proprietary control over a large portion of its content. If that happens, we'll be back in their pockets, as usual.

[Guest]

Clearly, the internet has spawned a way to chip away at the monstrous monopolies of certain big businesses. I just have to wonder if CPAPtalk isn't helping to accomplish very much the same thing within the healthcare industry. The open flow of information here is just amazing sometimes.

Hopefully we are chipping away at the DMEs. We have seen evidence of that first hand on this forum and it is very gratifying.

[mikemoran]

I was revolting before the internet was invented

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

My one big concern, however, has to do with corporate control of the Internet. The 'big boys" are already lobbying for proprietary control over a large portion of its content. If that happens, we'll be back in their pockets, as usual.

This is a real possibility and it's unclear what the "little guy" can do about it. There is BIG money at stake and money that big is really hard to fight.

David

[Paul B]

Along these same lines, please read:

http://www.votervoice.net/Core.aspx?AID ... sueID=7694

[tomjax]

My favorite bumper sticker: ANARCHISTS UNITE!!!

I can just see us now at the Washington monument.
Bring your hoses and masks.
March en mass.

Viva la hoseheads

[Offerocker]

There is BIG money at stake and money that big is really hard to fight.

YUP-PER!! $$$$
The "Big 3" put TUCKER out of business, and they are also holding back (and have been for at least 40 years) the inventions of alternatives to gasoline-driven engines. I mean NO petroleum-based fuel.
We have the clean fuel, but what good is it to US without the automobile companies willing to make modifications? Whose hand is in whose pocket?? Can one make a car without steel?
THESE POLICIES ARE RAMPANT, and know no boundaries.

Do you know that you are paying as much today for a postage stamp as was paid for a gallon of gasoline not all that long ago?

...just letting off a little steam here....and trying to keep from getting burned at the same time. I'd rather be steamed by a guyser in Iceland again than be around another 30+ years.

[Murkk]

Revolution? Nah. A 30% compliance rate with CPAP therapy when a patient knows they have sleep apnea and that it's very bad for their health. I think you have too much faith in the average joe.

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

My favorite bumper sticker: ANARCHISTS UNITE!!!

Very funny - ROTL!!!!!

David

I'm not an anarchist but there are too many folks out there wanting to get rich at my expense and it really, really gripes my patootie. Give me value, on those things I really need, give me discretion on those things I don't need, lay off getting in my face to sell me things I don't need or want. I truly am sick of it. I must be getting old and grumpy!

BTW - Monitoring capability on an xPAP machine is not a bell or whistle. Auto peformance is not a bell or whistle.

Oh well.

[Amigo]

This is a real possibility and it's unclear what the "little guy" can do about it. There is BIG money at stake and money that big is really hard to fight.David

This isn't much, but at least you'll feel as if you've done something.

Sign the petition at:

http://www.savetheinternet.com

Better yet, write to your Congressmen and Senators, and let them know you're aware of the "big money" interests, and that your future vote will be dependent on whether they uphold internet neutrality.

[Amigo]

This is a real possibility and it's unclear what the "little guy" can do about it. There is BIG money at stake and money that big is really hard to fight.David

OK, I realize this is somewhat off-topic, however, for those of you who haven't heard, the House of Representatives voted 321 - 101 in FAVOR of the big money interests who want to create a proprietary Internet.

Folks, this has huge ramifications for the "little guys" like CPAPTalk, and, therefore, all of us.

This legislation now moves to the Senate. Please write/call your Senators, and tell them you want the Internet kept free and available to all, and don't forget to sign the petition at:

http://www.savetheinternet.com

If enough "little guys" let Congress know that our votes are at stake, perhaps we can make a difference.

Thanks,
Amigo

[NightHawkeye]

Folks, this has huge ramifications for the "little guys" like CPAPTalk, and, therefore, all of us.

This legislation now moves to the Senate. Please write/call your Senators, and tell them you want the Internet kept free and available to all, and don't forget to sign the petition at:

http://www.savetheinternet.com

If enough "little guys" let Congress know that our votes are at stake, perhaps we can make a difference.

Thanks,
Amigo

Amigo,

I admit to being uninformed on this issue, and I haven't seen much describing what exactly this is. The web site you referenced doesn't seem to have much specific other than doom and gloom either.

Can you provide more info?

Regards,
Bill

[Amigo]

Amigo, I admit to being uninformed on this issue, and I haven't seen much describing what exactly this is. The web site you referenced doesn't seem to have much specific other than doom and gloom either.

Can you provide more info?

Regards,
Bill

Keeping the Internet Open

What's Net Neutrality all about?

Until summer 2005, rules on the books prevented the big telephone and cable companies that own broadband Internet lines from blocking or impairing your access to any Internet-based information or services you wanted -- or to use the techie term: to operate their network in a "neutral" manner. Those rules had been in place since the birth of the Internet and helped foster the explosive growth of competitive, innovative online services that brought consumers new competitive options.

Unfortunately, all that has changed. Last year the Federal Communications Commission wiped those rules off the books, giving big telco and cable companies the right to be the gatekeepers to the Internet. There is nothing to stop these giant companies from blocking your access to any website or online services you choose.

Now, consumers want their Internet back. That's "network neutrality."

What's happening in Congress

Right now, Congress is on the fast track to pass legislation that rewrites major portions of the telecommunications law but fails to protect the Internet. In fact, the bill about to be considered in the House of Representatives, H.R. 5252 the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 (COPE Act) actually makes matters worse (it passed the House on 6/9/2006, 321 - 101). And in the Senate, the bill about to be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee, S. 2686, The Communications, Consumer's Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006, fails to restore any Internet freedom protections.

For additional information:

http://www.hearusnow.org/