In 1943, the Economist F. A Hayek wrote: “One need not be a profit to be aware of impending dangers. An accidental combination of experience and interest will often reveal events to one man under aspects which few yet see.”
Hayek was writing at a time when totalitarian socialism was running a muck in Europe and among many intellectuals here in the US. Hayek was, to say the least, suspicious and critical of “officials” who don’t actually do the work, make certain that they control those that are. Hayek points to experience and interest rather than position and intellect (or level of education) as a valued source in making sound judgments.
So then, consider this: what if your thoughts, perspectives, experience and insights are just as valuable as that of the “experts”? What if the issues involving healthcare are so broad, so complex and effect so many people in exceptionally personal ways, that no one person or group of professionals have any more to offer than do you?
This rather puts us into a quandry. This means that you and I along with anyone who has or will be involved with healthcare, have a legitimate role in contributing to any conversation on how best to reform healthcare, (providing reform is even indicated). In the book “The Wisdom of Crowds” James Surowiecki makes such a point, that many interested contributions to a problem often out performs the accuracy of a few experts. In this case experience and interest has a legitimate place in the public debate on healthcare reform, and for those who favor a centralized, “expert driven” approach compells an increasing burden of proof that it will work.
This site is aimed specifically at the doing. We’re interested in the comments and advice of many to guide the course of us all. The cheapest healthcare is the kind that works the first time. We need to understand the value of improving efficiency in providing care and how to make it happen. As mentioned here before, the demand for healthcare services is growing and the number of licensed individuals interested in providing those services is not. Something has to give.
I agree with your points that the masses can be just as informing as a professional expert. That reform for Health care can come from those who seek it rather than the few at the top.
What makes crowd wisdom so powerful is that it harnesses the underlying behavior of society. It is the sample population of what’s really happening.