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New Study on Americans' Expectations of the Net

radicalsubversiv writes "A new study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project reports on Americans' expectations about finding information on the Internet. The (unsurprising) results reveal that large portions of the public go to the net first for many kinds of information. '16 percent of the nonusers say they would turn to the Internet first the next time they need health care and government information.' AP story summarizing the results; and the actual report in PDF format."

2 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. My mum still doesn't get it. by caluml · · Score: 5, Insightful

    She has heard of this thing called the internet, but she doesn't appreciate it.

    She asked me what I did for work, so I explained. "But you're not making anything, not doing anything", she said.
    I'm working with information, I told her.
    But that's not real, she said.
    If people don't understand the value of information, well. Mind you, if there was a nuclear war, we'd all forget about computers pretty quickly and start trying to grow enough food to survive, find un-contaminated water, and somewhere to stay safe until the nuclear winter was over.

    What's my point? I don't know. Maybe I've been insightful. Maybe not. I'll tell my Mum I talked about her on Slashdot though - that'll confuse her... :)

  2. Internet Hypochondria by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You can scare yourself shitless searching for health care information on the Internet. The Onion have run a few stories on this.

    Apparently, it's also a pain in the ass for doctors, because patients walk into their surgery having diagnosed themselves on Google and demand a particular treatment.

    No need to teach granny to suck eggs, but as someone said above; it's on the Internet - so it has to be true.

    Health Care info on the Internet is mostly bad news, because it is almost impossible to distinguish sound peer reviewed medical services from Dr. Nick Riviera's "I'll do any operation $199.99".

    If you feel ill or find a lump anywhere, go see a real doctor.