Another blog: What are we thinking?

In the great cacophony of information out there, why in the name of the Good Lord is there need for another blog?

I wrestled this question a great deal in considering launching a blog under the auspices of HealthCentral and the great team of innovators and thought-leaders I work with. Perhaps I should start on what this is not, and why I hope it is a useful part of the broader conversations about the world of interactivity broadly and innovation in consumer-driven, interactive health.

This is NOT a company blog – we will not be pumping out PR mishigas, self-congratulatory-what-was-once-called-press-releases telling the world that we have all the answers to all the questions. First off we don’t. Second while proud of the many accomplishments of this exciting team, I’ve been around long enough to know that the successes we have are on the shoulders of remarkable people like you – (@susannahfox, @jensmccabe, @epatientdave ) great thoughtful folks in our worlds – and that in the light speed of interactive innovations, all glory is fleeting. We live each day as if it is our first day.

This is also NOT my blog – though I will contribute regularly and share some insight or proffer provocative issues we see from the worlds of interactivity, the great city of Washington, DC, and how real people are living, breathing, sharing, connecting, teaching, learning from each other specifically as they take control of their health and well being (and that of their loved ones). Though I will post an occasional comment on what I’m reading, seeing and drinking as it might be of some interest.

This will be a collection of insights, observations, questions, stories and data that the collective team at HealthCentral are finding and find of interest in the revolution in our midst – a revolution not merely of remarkable technologies, but of this what I’ll call “the great connection” unleashed by a natural yearning these technologies open with unprecedented ease and speed.

There is nothing really new in this power to connect. For centuries all health seekers – all those seeking to miss nothing; have unique insight; haves opinion that matter; have desire to share their experiences to help each other – have sought counsel from “experts” and from people who have experienced what they are or wish to experience. Through easy, instant and multimedia technologies – on our desks or upon our persons – more people can find more relevant information and connect with the most relevant experiences and people than ever dreamed of on their terms. The ramifications are only beginning to be understood – and in the specific case of health, could not be more profound.

We will write about these ramification as they emerge – leveraging not only from our collective experiences, but what we find most interesting and provocative in the interactive, policy and health worlds. We will share what we’re reading and why we think it matters; what we are seeing in our communities that are unique and revealing, and, we hope, contribute to the remarkable conversations that are happening in these critical worlds.

We will also be sharing insight on business models. As there is a revolution in how individuals are connecting and taking action on their terms, there is a revolution in how health businesses can reach folks also, first and foremost on their terms, most relevant to real people in their daily lives. Gone forever – though many don’t seem to know it – are business models that interrupt, annoy, trick or compel people to take actions because we, the businesses, want them to (or worse yet) think they owe us something. The old line that the “customer is always right” is now utterly enforced by the technology – people value what they value, engage and reward people who make their lives better, easier, faster, more efficient, more beautiful, more affordable, safer, more understood. Any business who starts not with this premise, but their own needs, will pay a great price – and miss an unprecedented opportunity. The great businesses realize the interactive opportunities to engage users are products and services in and of themselves. We are seeing remarkable leadership here, and look forward to share these as well.

A great blog, however, is a conversation. And as we will share our learning and instincts, we hope very much you will share yours with us and with each other. We are, collectively, present at the creation of something extraordinary and lives will never be the same.