Inflammatory statements

In the past two days, I've read two news stories that focused on a one-two punch of inflammatory issues: medicine and kids. The first was written about the FDA probing a possible link between the asthma drug Singulair and suicide risk; the second reported data on how drug errors hurt 1 in 15 hospitalized kids. Wow. Shocking, right? After reading these headlines, you'd take your 4 year old off his asthma maintenance program and be nervous about the care your child might receive when hospitalized.

I don't want to minimize risk, and certainly everyone should be vigilant when it comes to the health and care of their children, and themselves for that matter.

But what irritated me about both of these articles was the content that you eventually got to within them. Regarding Singulair, Merck and the FDA are working together to analyze data based on anecdotal evidence that has been received. No clear connection, just an investigation that could frankly go either way at this point. Merck released a statement:

In a cumulative analysis recently provided to the FDA of Merck's randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials -- which included over 11,000 adults and children in over 40 studies who were treated with Singulair -- there were no reports of suicidal thoughts or actions and no completed suicides in the patients who received Singulair," the statement read. "Additionally, in a cumulative analysis recently provided to the FDA of Merck's randomized, double-blind, clinical trials that compared Singulair with other active agents to treat asthma [which included over 3,900 adults and children who were treated with Singulair and over 3,400 who were treated with other asthma therapies], there was one patient who attempted suicide who received Singulair, and there were three patients who attempted suicide who received other asthma therapies [including inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists].

If this is true, there's no sight of a smoking gun.

As for the drug errors data, while it does seem that subjective reporting has resulted in underreporting of incidences, the article says (way down towards the end of the article):

While 22 percent of the problems were considered preventable, most were relatively mild. None were fatal or caused permanent damage, but some “did have the potential to cause some significant harm,” said Sharek, who is medical director of quality at Stanford University's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.While 22 percent of the problems were considered preventable, most were relatively mild. None were fatal or caused permanent damage, but some “did have the potential to cause some significant harm,” said Sharek, who is medical director of quality at Stanford University's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

I realize that people make inflammatory statements to get peoples' attention, often feeding off initial reactions of anger or fear to elicit a response. I know that headlines are developed to hook in readers, sell newspapers or get higher traffic and ratings. But I wrote my Master's thesis in media literacy, so I have a bit of experience weeding through the hype.

If you'd like help in figuring out what to look for to help you weed through medical news articles, read this.

Happy (and more analytical) reading!

What's your blogging style?

I've been reading a lot of other people's blogs, especially after attending the Virtual Worlds Conference last week. I've noticed a few unique styles:

• Totally personal, informal, basically updates on what happened during the day
• Academic, look how much I know about this topic
• Somewhere in between--anecdotal with a message

I hadn't really thought about my style before I started blogging. I knew I wouldn't fall into the first category because I'm just not going to blog about my kids or my clients. If I had lots of time, and perhaps a more serious personality, I have a lot of respect for the academic blogs. In fact, a few of them I read today I was really envious of--long, descriptive passages about the potential for virtual worlds that made me wish I had written them. Except part of me just thinks these blogs are trying too hard to impress people. I know a lot of smart people who fall into that trap of wanting to always prove they are smart and end up seeming pretentious. I'm well past feeling the need to prove my intelligence.

Which is why maybe I've fallen into the third category. I like reading blogs that make a point through storytelling. Or at least stories that make you think. Or interesting people that share unique perspectives. So maybe I've ultimately been trying to write stuff that I'd like to read, in the style that I'd prefer to read it in. Emphasis on trying.

My inspiration goes mainstream

A month ago I wrote about Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University professor who was dying of terminal cancer, and his last lecture. I was completely moved and inspired by his lecture, both for its meaning and its content.

I'm happy to say that lots of people seemed to share in my feelings, and today when I opened the Sunday paper, Randy Pausch graced the cover of Parade magazine.

I'm sure when he did the lecture, he had no idea how he would touch people. Through the magic of YouTube, anyone can access his presentation.

It's a brilliant example of word of mouth marketing, as well. It's even better that Randy is hanging in there to see the effect that his words have had on people around the world.

Virtual Worlds Conference 2008, Day 2

I am happy to have made it through this week, and frankly, I feel like a different person. A lot of things that were fuzzy and unfocused are crystal clear, and things that I hadn't even thought of before yesterday are filling my brain with so many decisions to be made that I'm not sure where to start.

But I am ecstatically inspired. So much so that I can't think of anything else for too long before I get back to one distinct mantra: I am going to lead the way for virtual worlds and learning.

So, day two at the conference. Got there in time for the morning keynote. I was totally impressed with what MTV is doing, and the presenter was good. Neopets and Nicktropolis, however...wow, the woman who spoke for them sucked. She was very much like an egotistical, self-promoting robot. Quite creepy, actually.

I went to the first session in the enterprise track, a panel discussion. It was during this session that I had my biggest epiphany of the show: the technology is being developed and virtual worlds being pushed by people too disconnected from corporate applications and their needs. I had numerous conversations where someone from a company would say: we want to do this or we need a virtual world to do this, and they're developing them to do that. We don't want that.

Here's where I got excited--I can be the bridge. I understand this and that. I can make that work for this. And I can see what it looks like in my mind. I just need to pull it all together. I can feel the excitement welling again as I write this.

I skipped the second session to do a final loop around the exhibits. I understood a lot more on Friday than Thursday. I was on a mission. I collected an enormous amount of information and I can't wait to debrief with my Rockstar Wednesday cohorts.

I went to the third session before I skipped out of there to get home at a reasonable hour. Gaming and social communities panel. Actually wasn't too relevant to what I do, but the moderator of the panel was from IBM, a younger guy (maybe even younger than me...). He mentioned during the session that IBM had just launched its own internal virtual world, including training. I approached him after the session and asked about it--he asked for my card and said he'd put me in touch with the guys who are heading up the learning efforts. I am totally stoked.

Then I hopped in the car to get home to my fam. I had enough self-awareness to realize that I had just had a life-changing experience. One that will shape my future, the future of Tandem Learning. Oh, I cannot wait to rock this out. And I can't wait to go to the next conference in September.

Virtual Worlds Conference 2008, Day 1

Today was the first day of the Virtual Worlds Conference in NYC. I got in a little late (missed the opening keynote) because I was flying in from Orlando. When I got there, I was struck by a few things. First, its a pretty small conference. Second, men outnumber women something like 10 to 1. Third, some of the coolest people I've ever had the privilege to talk to are here. Total confirmation that I want to be doing what I'm doing at Tandem.

First session, I went to a round table discussion on social clouds. I was a little late getting in, and the tables were all full when I got there. There were a few other people late as well; we had a more informal discussion at our "overflow" table. Ironically, there were actually two guys there from a company that used to compete/collaborate with at my old job. Had some interesting discussion about virtual worlds for learning, how to incorporate community/collaboration features. The reports out from the other tables were really interesting, and I wanted to catch up with another company owner who sounded like he does what I want to do.

After that session, I did get to talk to him--he showed me some of his company's work over lunch. Really interesting design choices. I was totally energized.

Second session, I went to a platform comparison talk. Some good info. My favorite part was when the presenter said the apps "worked in tandem." I realized that I really need to have a better technical understanding to hang in these types of conversations, or bring someone with me who can.

I skipped the third session to circulate around the booths. I got some good info on artificial intelligence, companies who have custom platforms, platforms I could buy and share revenue. Companies all over the US, Australia, and the UK. I also realized that most of these companies work virtually. I asked a few how they managed it, no one had any better ideas than the ones we're already employing or putting in place.

The last keynote was great, forward thinking. I must have had at least a dozen new product ideas while I was listening to the presentation. Good storytelling, good insight into future trends.

After, while in line for a drink, I met another woman that was from a UK company that designs training for Universities in Second Life. Also really interesting. And a really nice guy from a CA company scored us a soda.

Then I walked back to my hotel, exhausted. The 3:30am wake up this morning to catch my flight finally caught up with me. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Age matters

Relative to other company presidents and business owners, I guess I'm pretty young. I've had to hear lots of comments from people about my age, mostly from people who are older than me, insinuating that somehow my age is an impediment to my value. Of course, it probably doesn't help that I'm a female, either--somehow young, ambitious men get more credit and credibility for their ideas and drive.

I've been thinking about this in relation to the Clinton-Obama nomination battle. Clinton is touting her experience and Obama his fresh perspective. Both are seen as serious contenders for one of the top leadership positions in the world. I am curious how this will play out, since Clinton and Obama have touted very similar views. Let's say Clinton wins--experience would seem to be the key factor that people believe makes a good leader. If Obama wins, he would actually be figuring some stuff out as he goes along, opening up the possibility for mistakes, yes, but also to create something new--new processes, new ways of looking at old problems.

I'm trying to create something new. I don't think my age inhibits me, I think it helps. And I hope that 20 years from now, I'll still be positioning myself as a proponent of "new" and not just relying on my experience to give me credibility.

Talk to people on planes

My mom likes to talk to people, all kinds of people. She meets really interesting people everywhere she goes. I've been trying to follow my mom's example and its really been helping my networking.

Airplanes are a good place to start because you're stuck next to strangers for an extended period of time--the last two flights I've taken, I've met really interesting people. People who I hope I'm able to stay in contact with.

You just never know who you'll be sitting next to on your next flight. If the person gives you an opening, try some in-flight networking.