Dennis B. Kottler, MD
Westlake Village, CA
Appointments: 818-991-8376
Email: doc@psychiatrix.com
See also: Disintermediation and Dematerialization
NFO-lag describes the increasingly frequent predicament of real world "Authorities and Experts" who face a public on information "steroids" due to the internet.
Examples of this phenomenon are starting to abound in everyday life:
A patient inquires when an Alzheimer's drug she read about on the internet will be available in the US. The physician does not recognize the name of the drug and asks the patient where she read about it.
A student challenges the teacher about his presentation of the "Coriolis Effect," based on information the student had found on the internet.
An investor asks his long-time stockbroker what he thinks of stock $?@$, based on a press release he has just read on the internet. The broker confesses his ignorance.
And on and on...
This phenomenon can potentially have far-reaching effects:
A better informed public better able to keep the "experts" on their toes - GOOD
A loss of faith in the "experts" as manifested, e.g., by increasing boredom in the classroom - Potentially serious problem
The elimination of a whole host of middleman....a phenomenon I call disintermediation (See DISINTERMEDIATION and DEMATERIALIZATION) - Possibly good with qualifications
Other unforeseen consequences ...
INFO-Lag will accelerate (an oxymoron?) as more people have broadband internet access and as more people spend more and more time on the net. The 2000's will develop as a very interesting decade.
Appointments: 818-991-8376
Email: doc@psychiatrix.com