Digital Photos

Dangers of Selfies: Injury, death, and lice?

by  •  • 3 Comments
People are getting more daring and crazy trying to take selfies.*  Now with the advent of the selfie stick (see earlier post), people can take them with a wider lens, crazier angles, or even selfies that don’t look like selfies.  With all the craze, hype and obsession people have with selfies, it was just a matter of time before people started getting injured and killed.
One of the craziest selfies I’ve seen involved a man near the edge of an active volcano, wearing protective gear, which would not have protected him if he’d fallen backwards into the lava.  Another one featured a picture of a man taking a selfie while running from the bulls in the Pamplona Bull Run.  Or the story of a teenager who pointed a gun at his own head and tried to take a selfie with his phone, except he accidentally squeezed the trigger instead of taking the picture.
The teen lived, but others have not been so fortunate in trying to capture the perfect selfie.  Most of the stories around people dying while taking selfies frequently involve heights (in the form of cliffs, building edges, and bridges) or doing something like playing around on train tracks.   When I read some of the stories I have to wonder if the person would have ventured so close to the edge if there wasn’t a picture involved?  Or would s/he paid more attention to the dangers if s/he wasn’t so absorbed in snapping the perfect selfie to prove (remember?) that s/he did something risky?

Although head lice doesn’t really compare with selfie injuries and death, I found several articles suggesting that an increase of head lice in schools could be from the popularity of taking selfies.  However, none of the claims were ever substantiated.  The idea, according to a few news stories, is that the lice spreads amongst children and teens leaning their heads in too close together for too long to capture selfies.

If you love taking selfies, be careful how far back you step and whose head you’re rubbing against.  Clearly capturing selfies is turning into something of an extreme sport.

*A selfie is a term for a picture you took of yourself.

Amazon, Ecuador

From Andes to the Amazon

by  •  • 4 Comments

I just got back from a fantastic trip to Ecuador.  We spent two weeks touring Quito, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands with Overseas Adventure Travel.

Our first full day was spent sightseeing in Quito. We went to a lookout point and later stumbled across a street parade during out walk around the old city. After getting lunch in the Franciscan Square we visited La Compania de Jesus, a baroque-style church where everything was covered in gold leaf. (Pics were not allowed so you’ll have to Google it for images.) At our welcome dinner we were delighted to discover that:

  • Ecuadorians put popcorn in cream soups (similar to croutons)
  • Fresh homemade salsa was always on the table.

Our second day started early with a bus ride over the Andes to the jungle. We made several stops along the way. The first stop was at a lake so we could get out and stretch our legs.

Our first rest stop at this scenic lakeside.

Our first rest stop at this scenic lakeside.

Then we arrived at a cloud forest with dozens of hummingbird species flitting around.  The air was moist and humid.  Tiny pippings and chirpings of the hummingbirds resonated through the trees. Sometimes I could hear the furious buzzing of hummingbird wings sailing past my ears.

Hummingbird hanging out in the cloud forest.

Hummingbird hanging out in the cloud forest.

The ride continued and my jaws were chomping furiously on ginger candies and chocolate to combat the effects of altitude sickness. I was still chewing away when we stopped to visit a family in the area. The hostess was named Olga. She gave us a tour of her home and picked fresh tomato tree fruits for us to taste. The shape and texture of the fruit is like an Italian plum, but bigger. The reddish-orange color of the flesh and seedy interior were similar to an actual tomato. Pretty tasty. And of course they grow on trees!

Our hostess picking fresh tomato tree fruits.

Our hostess picking fresh tomato tree fruits.

I made it over the highest point with only mild discomfort before starting the descent towards the jungle. We stopped for a delicious lunch of fresh trout. Then a quick visit at Hollin Waterfall to stretch our legs, enjoy the scenery, and marvel at the streams of leafcutter ants working industriously scurrying about on the trail.

We finally arrived in Coca and got fitted with knee-high rubber boots for our jungle walks. Then we boarded a motor-powered canoe for a 45-minute ride on the Napo River to the Yarina Lodge where we would be staying for three nights.  The boots are on posts in front of the cabin.

Our cabin at Yarina Lodge.

Our cabin at Yarina Lodge, note the hammock hanging out front.

 

Google

Google Glass MD

by  •  • 2 Comments

The last time I blogged about Google Glass (“Glass”) was when it was being marketed mostly to consumers. Since then, and even before, people have been exploring business applications for Glass. So what does Glass offer a business? It offers a hands-free option to access, or even to create data, in real time through audio commands in the form of a wearable technology. A number of startups have sprung up specifically to incorporate Glass into business and one application is for doctors.

One company, Remedy, uses a software called Beam that enables a specialist to virtually visit a patient through the eyes of a doctor onsite using Glass. The benefit is that patients can see specialists faster and information is shared between the referring physician and the specialist. Additionally, Beam is used to transmit relevant case file information to the specialist for a speedy diagnosis. The founders have said that their app is useful for situations where visual information is needed, but is not currently available, such as with making an Autism diagnosis. I must admit, I feel a bit dubious about this application for Glass mostly because I think a lot of other factors are involved in making a diagnosis, such as smells, touch, sounds, etc.

Another company, Augmedix, offers doctors a hands-free way to interact with patients by using Glass to look stuff up or take notes instead of using a computer. I wasn’t able to find a lot of information on how it works behind the scenes, but apparently by using Glass and the Augmedix software, an audio/visual recording is captured of the doctor-patient transaction and somehow gets incorporated into the electronic health record system. Glass can also be used to access pertinent information during the appointment.

In order to use Glass in a medical setting it has to be modified to work within the confines of the hospitals firewalls to eliminate the risk of patient information being leaked out on the internet. Also, patient records require a high level of security and privacy.

Other benefits of using Glass in a medical setting include providing better training to students, accessing information in a hands-free way (e.g. during surgery), and offering low cost alternatives for video conferencing. I have yet to see a doctor using Glass, but reading about the benefits perhaps it is something we will get used to in more professional settings.

Digital Dilemma

Over and Out

by  •  • 4 Comments

A friend of mine was telling me about a particular annoyance with communicating via text.  Her challenge, it seemed, was that she could never tell when the conversation was over.  She never knew when she was supposed to respond or just let the text conversation die out.

As a firefighter she’s accustomed to the easy, clear language used when communicating with a two-way radio.  Basically if a response is required the person says “over” at the end of his/her message.  If the person is completely finished and does not require a response, s/he says “over and out” signifying the end.

So why is this so challenging with texting?  Here are some possible reasons:

  • Text is devoid of tone, inflection, body language, and other cues we use when conversing face-to-face, or verbally, to gauge how a discussion is going.
  • Text happens in real time, but people don’t always respond immediately.  It’s not fluid and dynamic the way a conversation is because you can never really know what the person is doing on the other end of the text.  Maybe s/he is busy, lost connectivity, got bored and dropped the conversation without warning, or needs time to craft a response.
  • Text often lacks punctuation. Turns out there are actually “rules” about how and when to use punctuation in a text that are completely different from regular writing.

I read a few articles, all from dubious sources, that claim putting a period at the end of a letter, word, or phrase is seen as aggressive.  The example I saw most often cited was the difference between texting “k” (as in it’s ok) or “k.” (meaning you really messed up and it is definitely not ok).

Texting Punctuation

How someone could infer so much meaning from one letter and a humble period is really beyond me.  Maybe I’m just getting old.

Other examples include when and how to use question marks.  Apparently not using the question mark softens the blow of the inquiry.  And when all else fails, throw in some emoticons because clearly punctuation & texting can be confusing unless you’re in the know of all the extra meanings.

So for my friend struggling to know when a text conversation had ended, perhaps she could take a page from radio communication and end all her texts with “over and out” without a “.” so it’s not interpreted as being aggressive.

Human Archives

Waves & Restoration

by  •  • 2 Comments

Every time I visit my friends on Fire Island I get up early and go for long walks.  For years I’ve been trying to get a glimpse of this elusive red fox that so many people on the island seem to see early in the morning.  On one of my long morning walks I was reminded of the restorative nature of the ocean.  I inhaled the salty moist air deeply into my lungs.  It felt like a treat after living near fresh water for 6 years.  The carefully placed fencing in the sand dunes reminded me of the locals’ efforts to restore, protect, and preserve the dunes after they were leveled by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Fencing is used to help collect sand and rebuild the natural dunes.

Fencing is used to help collect sand and rebuild the natural dunes.

The relentless shushing motion of the waves reminds me that nothing stays in a state of permanence.  Everything is constantly moving, evolving, and smoothing out the rough edges over time.  The same way the ocean waves round out the sharp, jagged edges on shells and glass.  Or the way the waves can wash up new marvels everyday, so filled with life.

The waves washed up a piece of a horseshoe crab shell filled with tiny mussels thriving inside.

The waves washed up a piece of a horseshoe crab shell filled with tiny mussels thriving inside.

On the first day of my visit small pebbles and shells were left behind.  The second day they were replaced by a line of stringy brown seaweed marking the tide line.  Day three brought hundreds of clear jellies who lay shimmering helplessly in the sand.

The waves also attracted some visitors from the land.  A mother and her fawn licked each other clean in the early morning rays.

Mother & Fawn licking each other clean.

Mother & Fawn licking each other clean.

Throughout my visit I collected shells each day at the beach.  I got up super early my last day to be near the waves one last time before catching the ferry.  I took my piles of shells.  Standing before the ocean, I named each one before releasing it back to smooth out my worries and troubles.  To hold my thoughts and dreams.  To keep them evolving while smoothing out the rough edges.

Seashells

The ocean, a place of transformation and restoration.

Patagonia

Iguassu Falls: Morning Walk

by  •  • 1 Comment

I arranged a morning bird walk to commence at 6:00am on our last day in Iguassu Falls.  We had to leave mid-morning to head back to the airport and I wanted to maximize my time.  Besides early morning is the best time to see birds and we were still on the hunt for a hummingbird to complete the animal wish list.

We walked towards the river bank where you can see the borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

Three Countries

Three Countries

A bunch of black birds were hanging out in one of the trees.  The air felt slightly cool and was only mildly sticky feeling.  It was warming up rapidly, but the heat felt nice after the weeks spent in Patagonia.  I also knew I was headed home to some frigid temperatures so I was trying to absorb as much heat as possible.

Where the rivers and countries meet.

Where the rivers and countries meet.

And finally, we saw the hummingbird.  It’s perched on a skinny branch in the middle of the picture.

Hummingbird! Tiny, but mighty.

Hummingbird! Tiny, but mighty.

Before ending the walk, my brother and I went down this path.  It looked inviting.  After about 10 minutes of walking, nature won.  We were covered in mosquito bites and extremely hot from the muggy humidity.

Mosquito central.

Mosquito central.

Later that morning we flew back to Buenos Aires for another day.  We visited the world renowned Teatro Colón and went on a boat ride through the Tigre Delta.

Happy New Year!  Stay tuned for pictures from next year’s excursion: The Rain Forest & Galapagos Islands.