Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology What is true and what is not? You have to admit that the world became a little crazy. We have so many media reports, feedback, comments, photographs, videos, often of the same events and topics, but contrary to each other. Some are 'produced' from photographs using photoshops, Al, or voice imitations. Depending on where you seek your news and whom you listen to, you may find out that something occurred versus it was made up. Technology, rather than improving our lives, started to complicate our lives to unexpected and unbelievable levels. Children, intuitively, use ChatGPT and other media concepts in their daily lives. Often, they do it in a cruel and mean manner to harm their peers. Adults carry 'verbal wars' with slurs, nasty comments, lies, threats, and more, just because things posted on-line cannot really be punished. Many of these are under made up names and nicknames that cannot really identify a person. Sometimes it is terrifying just to read those comments; I cannot even imagine to be a target of them. Have we become a cruel and nasty society? Is this what we taught our children? How far can this unprecedented mean and brutal behavior go? I recently listened to some interviews with public people, some senators, and some actors. They both equally stated that they are afraid to tell the truth about anything. They feel threatened by many people they do not know, and they prefer to stay out of public life, because it is scary to show up in public places. And we are talking about people who are trained and are supposed to be in public places. Concepts of trust, truth- telling, politeness, empathy, and kindness are disappearing in front of our eyes. I cited Elon Musk in the past and often agreed with his statements, especially on science. However, he also said that expression of empathy is a sign of weakness, and I can openly disagree with him. But these are both opinions and not scientific truths. I subscribe to empathy, because it is a prerequisite for practicing medicine. He does not practice it, and he truly should not practice anything that deals with humans if he is lacking empathy. Dealing with cars and rockets is good enough. You need no feelings for that. Sometimes not telling the truth is a problem. And often, you cannot say it because you are not sure. For instance, we all know that the truth is that eating fast food every day is not healthy and can lead to serious health issues. Well, how do we know it is a true statement? Years of research by various organizations including the National Institute of Health showed a lot of evidence that people eating McDonalds or alike every day tend to develop health problems related to obesity, diabetes, heart conditions and similar. But we do have and can show scientific evidence presented by the studies to prove the above. So, if we fire all personnel conducting eating habit studies and no more evidence is possible to gather, what will happen then? We simply will have no evidence that fast food can cause harm. Thus, anybody can then present any opinion about it and none of it will be true. It will be just that, opinions. What do you think? How is this new world affecting your thinking? Whom do you believe and why? Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology What is true and what is not ? You have to admit that the world became a little crazy . We have so many media reports , feedback , comments , photographs , videos , often of the same events and topics , but contrary to each other . Some are ' produced ' from photographs using photoshops , Al , or voice imitations . Depending on where you seek your news and whom you listen to , you may find out that something occurred versus it was made up . Technology , rather than improving our lives , started to complicate our lives to unexpected and unbelievable levels . Children , intuitively , use ChatGPT and other media concepts in their daily lives . Often , they do it in a cruel and mean manner to harm their peers . Adults carry ' verbal wars ' with slurs , nasty comments , lies , threats , and more , just because things posted on - line cannot really be punished . Many of these are under made up names and nicknames that cannot really identify a person . Sometimes it is terrifying just to read those comments ; I cannot even imagine to be a target of them . Have we become a cruel and nasty society ? Is this what we taught our children ? How far can this unprecedented mean and brutal behavior go ? I recently listened to some interviews with public people , some senators , and some actors . They both equally stated that they are afraid to tell the truth about anything . They feel threatened by many people they do not know , and they prefer to stay out of public life , because it is scary to show up in public places . And we are talking about people who are trained and are supposed to be in public places . Concepts of trust , truth- telling , politeness , empathy , and kindness are disappearing in front of our eyes . I cited Elon Musk in the past and often agreed with his statements , especially on science . However , he also said that expression of empathy is a sign of weakness , and I can openly disagree with him . But these are both opinions and not scientific truths . I subscribe to empathy , because it is a prerequisite for practicing medicine . He does not practice it , and he truly should not practice anything that deals with humans if he is lacking empathy . Dealing with cars and rockets is good enough . You need no feelings for that . Sometimes not telling the truth is a problem . And often , you cannot say it because you are not sure . For instance , we all know that the truth is that eating fast food every day is not healthy and can lead to serious health issues . Well , how do we know it is a true statement ? Years of research by various organizations including the National Institute of Health showed a lot of evidence that people eating McDonalds or alike every day tend to develop health problems related to obesity , diabetes , heart conditions and similar . But we do have and can show scientific evidence presented by the studies to prove the above . So , if we fire all personnel conducting eating habit studies and no more evidence is possible to gather , what will happen then ? We simply will have no evidence that fast food can cause harm . Thus , anybody can then present any opinion about it and none of it will be true . It will be just that , opinions . What do you think ? How is this new world affecting your thinking ? Whom do you believe and why ? Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net