Class in the 21st century...

So. I found that the internet is becoming more than just a quick outlet for research papers. The internet is becoming a form of virtual reality. Right now in my Computer Mediated Communications class we are getting on secondlife and running around with our avatars (or characters) and having class. It's actually pretty cool. There are different cities with shops, videos, games, clothes, shoes, clubs, you name it. Is this the new revolution? Are classrooms just an old fashioned way or are there still benefits to them with all the technology today? I think that classrooms are a better means of communication but not necessarily learning. With this virtual reality means of "play" or a form of a game, we can learn things without feeling like we are doing work.

pretty awesome huh?

Diabetes and the cost. $$$$$$$

So I haven't blogged in a while and because my mother is freaking out I will post. Lately working at the American Diabetes Association I have learned something frightening! The fact is 1/3 people will get diabetes after year 2000 and even worse 1/2 minorities will get it. Even more frightening the cost will sky ROCKET! The cost per year for most chronic diseases is approximately $ 12,000 million according to the American Diabetes Association article "Economic costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2007," this cost just for diabetes is approximately $64 million. This does not even account for productivity loss in money for these diseases. We all pay for it and we all suffer through it. The only cure I believe is a social recovery in lifestyle and the mission of research and curing the disease. We can have our health benefits but could lose our job like Starbucks did this year causing 6,000 employees the loss of their job because they found out in 2005 they were spending more on benefits for health than coffee according to "The Burden of Chronic Disease on Business & U.S. Competitiveness." This scares me when it comes to getting a job and my past. Because I have a chronic health history will I be able to get a job in the future? What are your thoughts?