Comments on: HealCam: a ChatRoulette for health http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 08:40:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: merreborn http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012013 merreborn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012013 Yep. Countdown until /b/ selects "Epilepsy" from the dropdown, and displays flashing images in an attempt to trigger seizures... 3...2... Yep. Countdown until /b/ selects “Epilepsy” from the dropdown, and displays flashing images in an attempt to trigger seizures…

3…2…

]]> By: AirPillo http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012018 AirPillo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012018 Maybe it'll end up ruined by griefers, or maybe it'll just be flooded by thousands of men sharing their priapisms. Maybe it’ll end up ruined by griefers, or maybe it’ll just be flooded by thousands of men sharing their priapisms.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012023 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012023 5 will get you 10, the channel for "priapism" dominates bandwidth. 5 will get you 10, the channel for “priapism” dominates bandwidth.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012025 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012025 What about people diagnosed with schizophrenia? I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but am doing much better now. Just like John Nash. What if John Nash the Nobel Prize Winning mathematician wanted to use this? https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/John_Forbes_Nash,_Jr. Not even kidding. What about people diagnosed with schizophrenia? I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but am doing much better now. Just like John Nash. What if John Nash the Nobel Prize Winning mathematician wanted to use this? https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/John_Forbes_Nash,_Jr. Not even kidding.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012028 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012028 As a person with Rheumatoid Arthritis (15 years) who regularly heads to usenet forums for discussions about issues/diet/meds/support, I found this An intriguing idea. Sometimes you really do need someone simply to commiserate with. But of course realized the pitfalls that are bound to arise as pointed out here in comments. This. Will. Not. Work. I would to think that it could but it won't. That being said, reading some of the over-the-top cynical comments about those with chronic disease all I can offer is a big'ol cup of poop snacks. Screw you and be thankful for for not knowing what it is to live everyday in pain. Yes, most holistic care is bullshit, but when you have to deal with pain or the craptacular side affects if being on multiple meds you'll try just about anything. In my case the daily choice is: a). Cope with pain and not be able to pick up your kids or b). Better living through chemicals and enjoy having the memory retention of a carrot all the while trying not to throw up on your kids. Sorry for the rant, but shit like these comments need to be tempered with a dose of reality. PAIN is an extremely good motivator. As a person with Rheumatoid Arthritis (15 years) who regularly heads to usenet forums for discussions about issues/diet/meds/support, I found this An intriguing idea. Sometimes you really do need someone simply to commiserate with. But of course realized the pitfalls that are bound to arise as pointed out here in comments. This. Will. Not. Work. I would to think that it could but it won’t.

That being said, reading some of the over-the-top cynical comments about those with chronic disease all I can offer is a big’ol cup of poop snacks. Screw you and be thankful for for not knowing what it is to live everyday in pain.

Yes, most holistic care is bullshit, but when you have to deal with pain or the craptacular side affects if being on multiple meds you’ll try just about anything.

In my case the daily choice is: a). Cope with pain and not be able to pick up your kids or b). Better living through chemicals and enjoy having the memory retention of a carrot all the while trying not to throw up on your kids.

Sorry for the rant, but shit like these comments need to be tempered with a dose of reality.

PAIN is an extremely good motivator.

]]> By: MadRat http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012035 MadRat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012035 What if your problem is social phobia? What if your problem is social phobia?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012305 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012305 Thanks Wormman, no idea if it was you just a general sense from the comments that I got. I was in a crappy mood and went off unnecessarily. I should've toned it down and not been so defensive. I feel for you having to deal with unwanted solicitations. Quick anecdote about my RA: After trying multiple things to deal with the nausea resulting from the methotrexate/sulfasalazine combo, I headed down to the Medical Mary Jane clinic toting my records and med all prepared to make my case. As I sat down with the doctor I said "I have RA and the meds cause..." before I could even finish, he said "RA? Ain't that one the shits! Here you go." and he handed me my paperwork. I couldn't help but laugh. As for the HealCam, I won't even touch it. There are support boards out there for everything, though I prefer Usenet. It is enough of a tech filter that the discussions remain reasonably intelligent. Thanks Wormman, no idea if it was you just a general sense from the comments that I got.

I was in a crappy mood and went off unnecessarily. I should’ve toned it down and not been so defensive.

I feel for you having to deal with unwanted solicitations.

Quick anecdote about my RA:

After trying multiple things to deal with the nausea resulting from the methotrexate/sulfasalazine combo, I headed down to the Medical Mary Jane clinic toting my records and med all prepared to make my case. As I sat down with the doctor I said “I have RA and the meds cause…” before I could even finish, he said “RA? Ain’t that one the shits! Here you go.” and he handed me my paperwork.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

As for the HealCam, I won’t even touch it. There are support boards out there for everything, though I prefer Usenet. It is enough of a tech filter that the discussions remain reasonably intelligent.

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011806 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011806 Waaaah-roulette? Waaaah-roulette?

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012064 Cowicide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012064 Then you should make your phobia social. Then you should make your phobia social.

]]> By: Boondocker http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011821 Boondocker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011821 If it's a true ChatRoulette variant, the #1 ailment is probably priapism. If it’s a true ChatRoulette variant, the #1 ailment is probably priapism.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011822 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011822 Oh man, /b/ is going to have a field day with this. Oh man, /b/ is going to have a field day with this.

]]> By: Cefeida http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011826 Cefeida Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011826 Oh man. Because the internet really needed another way for hypochondriacs to self-diagnose with every conceivable illness. (ok, I see the benefits of this, but there's no way it won't immediately turn into troll city) Oh man. Because the internet really needed another way for hypochondriacs to self-diagnose with every conceivable illness.

(ok, I see the benefits of this, but there’s no way it won’t immediately turn into troll city)

]]> By: Dave Rattigan http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011828 Dave Rattigan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011828 I've always wanted to find people with the same illness as me... and then watch them having a wank. I’ve always wanted to find people with the same illness as me… and then watch them having a wank.

]]> By: Wormman http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1012088 Wormman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012088 Not sure if I'm one of the commenters you were talking about Anon, but I apologise if my flippancy caused you distress. My comments were directed more towards imaginary conditions like Morgellons and the paranoia that drives people to send me photos of their poo because I have a parasitology website. It certainly wasn't directed at folks like yourself who have real diseases like the fantastic pile of crap that is RA. If the site helps people in your situation, then I guess that balances the problems that arise when people with a common delusion get together to share. Not sure if I’m one of the commenters you were talking about Anon, but I apologise if my flippancy caused you distress. My comments were directed more towards imaginary conditions like Morgellons and the paranoia that drives people to send me photos of their poo because I have a parasitology website. It certainly wasn’t directed at folks like yourself who have real diseases like the fantastic pile of crap that is RA. If the site helps people in your situation, then I guess that balances the problems that arise when people with a common delusion get together to share.

]]> By: YarbroughFair http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011846 YarbroughFair Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011846 Wouldn't be surprised if some insurance agency was behind this. Great way to collect specific health related info. Maybe a Social Security Investigator might "friend" you? I can only imagine the web cam show and tell. Wouldn’t be surprised if some insurance agency was behind this. Great way to collect specific health related info. Maybe a Social Security Investigator might “friend” you? I can only imagine the web cam show and tell.

]]> By: simonbarsinister http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011847 simonbarsinister Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011847 "nymphomania" (click)... “nymphomania” (click)…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011861 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011861 When you're sick, you realize that you're boring the hell out of everyone you know when you go on and on about it. That doesn't mean you can just shut up about it. You often have to pay people to care about your problems, but hey, maybe the internet can do it for free. Also, the internet can be your social lifeline When you’re sick, you realize that you’re boring the hell out of everyone you know when you go on and on about it. That doesn’t mean you can just shut up about it. You often have to pay people to care about your problems, but hey, maybe the internet can do it for free. Also, the internet can be your social lifeline

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011862 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011862 Biggest problem is that last time I checked there were only 2 users online. These types of things need a large userbase to work. Biggest problem is that last time I checked there were only 2 users online.

These types of things need a large userbase to work.

]]> By: Wormman http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011867 Wormman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011867 Yup - I can already see the Morgellon's channel forming. Mind you, if it gives people somewhere to send pictures of what they found in the toilet bowl that morning other than my inbox then I guess I'm in favour. Yup – I can already see the Morgellon’s channel forming. Mind you, if it gives people somewhere to send pictures of what they found in the toilet bowl that morning other than my inbox then I guess I’m in favour.

]]> By: oldtaku http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011891 oldtaku Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011891 Sounds like a helpful way to find new-age bullshit that keeps you from getting real care. Sounds like a helpful way to find new-age bullshit that keeps you from getting real care.

]]> By: Avi Solomon http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011904 Avi Solomon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011904 Maybe Community Heath Workers in the developing world could use the HealCam service as 24/7 emergency hotline for remote consultations with other CHWs, midwifes and doctors? Maybe Community Heath Workers in the developing world could use the HealCam service as 24/7 emergency hotline for remote consultations with other CHWs, midwifes and doctors?

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011918 Cowicide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011918 I hate to say it, but it sounds ripe for abuse by internet prankster scum. I hate to say it, but it sounds ripe for abuse by internet prankster scum.

]]> By: DaveP http://boingboing.net/2011/01/30/healcam-a-chatroulet.html#comment-1011960 DaveP Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1011960 griefers are going to be all over this griefers are going to be all over this

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