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Is The High Cost of American Medical Care Worth It?
Both technical innovation and expanded access vs. the modern medical guild
Once upon a time, I was a little girl whose parents came to New York City from India. So the adults in my life would ask me — did I want to be a doctor or an engineer?
Since being around sick people didn’t really appeal to me but I loved sci fi and robots and was intrigued by solar power (I built a solar radio in junior high) and programming my own games in high school — well, it was obvious to me what would be more fun.
And, to be honest, I don’t regret the decision though I am no longer working as an engineer. After I was diagnosed with a type III cancer and given 6 months to live, I would no longer work in the corporate world. Instead, I started to write and paint.
All of which allow me to set my own schedule, so on good days I get stuff done and on bad days I can rest.
But I still like to follow what is going on in the technical space. I think that engineering advances have done more to improve human lives than medicine.
How many people are alive today because we no longer drink dirty water? It’s thanks to engineers that we have sewage systems that eliminate toxic waste and provide us with clean water.
