Letters: Thinking outside the (meta) box
[Re: Interacting in the metaverse, November 10]
Nicola Mendelsohn’s plans to have us all living our lives inside the “metaverse” border on delusional. Sure, Facebook (or Meta), has proved the case for addictive social media. But there’s a growing backlash to this with people paying to go on phone-free retreats. How does making social media more immersive benefit a shift to wellbeing?
Harriet Lamley
[Re: Plans to shift GPs around the country will do little to restore the health of the NHS, November 9]
Why would the Tony Blair Institute be recommending the healthcare system should “enter the 21st Century” by “partnering with the private sector” and “diagnostic AI and robotics”? This drive is supported by very few people in the UK and smacks of profiteering from our ill health.
How would profits be increased when contracts are bound to the Treasury or Department of Health? It is noticeable that outsourced healthcare in London has resulted in reduced imaging, shoddy reporting, under-qualified staff and limited intervention, often until it’s too late.
Healthcare is possibly the most important area where human familiarity, competence and our best minds need to be valued. However, we are now in danger of getting an Americanised system, where cash is king and people’s health comes second.
Terry Harper