#value based platform

[erikpanderson]

How Value-Based Healthcare Companies Are Redefining Provider Incentives

A Shift from Volume to Value

For decades, the traditional fee-for-service (FFS) model has dominated healthcare, rewarding providers for the number of procedures and visits rather than the quality of care they deliver. The result? A system that often prioritizes quantity over outcomes, leading to unnecessary tests, rushed appointments, and rising costs.

But today, a transformation is underway. Value-based healthcare (VBHC) companies are changing the game by aligning provider incentives with patient outcomes, ensuring that doctors and healthcare organizations are rewarded for keeping people healthier, not just treating them when they’re sick.

What Does This Mean for Providers?

Imagine a world where doctors are incentivized to spend more time with patients, focus on prevention, and coordinate care seamlessly. That’s exactly what value-based healthcare aims to achieve. By redefining provider incentives, VBHC companies are:

✔️ Encouraging preventive care – Instead of treating illnesses as they arise, providers are rewarded for helping patients avoid them altogether.

✔️ Promoting care coordination – Primary care doctors, specialists, and hospitals work together to ensure patients receive the best care at the right time.

✔️ Reducing hospital readmissions – Providers earn incentives for keeping patients healthier and out of the hospital.

✔️ Focusing on patient experience – Measures like patient satisfaction scores play a role in compensation, ensuring that healthcare remains empathetic and patient-centered.

How Value-Based Incentives Work

So, how exactly are VBHC companies reshaping provider compensation? They use alternative payment models (APMs) that reward outcomes instead of volume. Here are a few key approaches:

Bundled Payments – Instead of billing for each individual service, providers receive a fixed amount for an entire episode of care (e.g., a knee replacement), incentivizing efficiency and quality.

Shared Savings Programs – If providers can reduce costs while maintaining or improving quality, they get to share in the savings.

Capitation & Per Member, Per Month (PMPM) Models – Providers receive a fixed monthly fee per patient, encouraging proactive care and disease prevention.

Quality-Based Bonuses – Doctors and hospitals earn extra incentives for meeting key performance metrics, like lower readmission rates, improved chronic disease management, and higher patient satisfaction scores.

The Human Impact: Stories from the Field

Dr. Lisa’s Story: From Burnout to Purpose

Dr. Lisa, a primary care physician, once felt trapped in a cycle of rushed 10-minute visits dictated by fee-for-service reimbursements. “I spent more time coding patient visits than actually listening to them,” she recalls. But after joining a value-based healthcare network, everything changed.

Now, she has more time to engage with her patients, focus on preventive care, and coordinate with specialists. “For the first time in years, I feel like I’m truly practicing medicine the way it should be.”

A Patient-Centered Approach: How Value-Based Care Saved John’s Life

John, a 56-year-old with diabetes, had been in and out of the hospital due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Under a value-based care program, his providers worked together to create a personalized care plan, including nutrition counseling, medication management, and remote monitoring.

The result? Fewer hospital visits, better glucose control, and a healthier, happier life.

Challenges & The Road Ahead

While VBHC models are promising, they come with challenges:

🚧 Data Integration Issues – Providers need access to unified patient data to track outcomes effectively.

🚧 Administrative Burdens – The shift from FFS to VBHC requires operational changes, new metrics, and extensive reporting.

🚧 Financial Risks for Providers – Some providers worry about the financial risks of outcome-based reimbursement, especially for complex patient cases.

However, technology advancements, better data analytics, and growing industry adoption are making value-based care models more viable. As more providers embrace VBHC, patient-centered, high-quality care will become the new standard.

The Future: A Win-Win for Providers and Patients

Value-based healthcare is more than just a payment model—it’s a movement. By redefining provider incentives, VBHC companies are empowering doctors to deliver better care while ensuring patients receive the attention and treatment they deserve.

As the industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Healthcare is finally shifting toward what truly matters—better health, not just more healthcare.

[sparrowdigit]

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Digital Products with Ease

The digital economy is booming, and selling digital products—like eBooks, courses, templates, or printables—has never been more accessible. With low startup costs and limitless scalability, it’s an ideal venture for creators and entrepreneurs. Here’s how to start your journey effortlessly:

1. Identify Your Niche & Audience

Begin by pinpointing a niche you’re passionate about and that has demand. Research communities on social media, forums, or platforms like Reddit to understand pain points. For example, if you’re skilled at graphic design, consider offering Canva templates for small businesses. Narrowing your focus helps you stand out.

2. Validate Your Idea

Before investing time, validate demand. Use surveys, polls, or pre-sale offers to gauge interest. Share a concept on Instagram or LinkedIn and ask followers if they’d buy it. Tools like Google Forms or Gumroad’s pre-order feature can simplify this step.

3. Create Your Product

Focus on quality and usability. Use tools like Canva for design, Teachable for courses, or Adobe Audition for audio guides. Keep it simple—start with one product (e.g., a PDF workbook) before expanding. Ensure it’s professionally presented and solves a specific problem.

4. Choose a User-Friendly Platform

Select a platform that handles hosting and sales. Options like Gumroad, Ko-fi, or Etsy are beginner-friendly. For more control, use Shopify or WordPress with WooCommerce. Prioritize platforms with built-in marketing tools and analytics.

5. Set Up Payments & Pricing

Integrate secure payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal. Price your product strategically: research competitors, consider value-based pricing (e.g., $29 for a time-saving template bundle), or offer tiered options (basic vs. premium).

6. Launch & Market Smartly

Build anticipation before launching. Share snippets on social media, collaborate with micro-influencers, or offer limited-time discounts. Use email lists (start with free lead magnets) and SEO-friendly product descriptions to drive organic traffic.

7. Prioritize Customer Support

Automate delivery using platforms like SendOwl to avoid manual work. Create a FAQ section and respond promptly to queries. Positive reviews boost credibility, so encourage feedback with follow-up emails.

8. Analyze & Scale

Track sales and customer behavior with analytics tools. Identify top-performing marketing channels and double down. Expand your offerings based on demand—turn a popular eBook into a video course, or bundle products for upsells.

Final Thoughts

Selling digital products is a rewarding way to monetize your skills. By starting small, validating ideas, and leveraging the right tools, you can build a sustainable online business with minimal friction. Ready to launch? Your audience is waiting!

Take the first step today—create, share, and grow. The digital world is yours to conquer.

(Word count: 500)

This guide balances actionable steps with encouragement, ensuring readers feel empowered to start their digital product journey without overwhelm. Each section is concise, with practical examples to inspire immediate action.

[runawaymarbles]

The midjourney stuff just reminds of when we were trying to find a new platform to host the ao3 donation form, and companies kept trying to tell me about all their "ai" features that would track donor engagement, and figure out the optimal pattern to email individual donors asking for follow up donations, and all the ways they suggest we manipulate people into staying on our websites. It was a great way to filter out who either wasn't listening to us when we described our ethics and donor base, or just didn't believe us.

Now granted ao3 is a unique case based on a) the amount of page views we get in any given time period and b) the fact that most donors absolutely do Not want to be identified as such anywhere, (the default "list of recent donors" module got nuked Immediately) but it surprised me some that the concept of "donors who value their privacy and would be furious at even the whiff of AI" is unique. Some of us really are just existing in different worlds.

[insurance-brokers-india]

What are the next steps after obtaining an insurance broker license, and how can you generate potential leads using Mzapp CRM software?

Congratulations on securing your insurance broker license! The journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning of building a successful insurance brokerage. Here’s how you can proceed and leverage Mzapp CRM software to find potential leads:

Steps After Getting Your Insurance Broker License

Understand Your Market: Research your target audience (individuals, businesses, or specific sectors).

Develop a Business Plan: Set goals for client acquisition, revenue, and operational processes.

Build a Network: Partner with insurance providers and attend industry events to establish your presence.

Create an Online Presence: Build a professional website and maintain active profiles on social platforms.

Offer Value-Added Services: Educate customers on policies, claims management, and risk assessments.

Using Mzapp CRM Software to Generate Leads

Lead Capture: Utilize Mzapp’s integrated forms and web tracking tools to capture inquiries from your website or social media.

Automated Follow-Ups: Set up personalized email and SMS follow-ups to nurture leads effectively.

Lead Scoring: Prioritize leads based on their interaction history, ensuring you focus on high-potential prospects.

Data-Driven Campaigns: Use analytics to identify what works and launch targeted campaigns.

Seamless Policy Management: Impress leads by showcasing how smoothly you manage policies and claims through Mzapp.

Why Choose Mzapp CRM?

Mzapp CRM simplifies lead management, streamlines operations, and provides insights into customer behavior, making it easier to convert prospects into loyal clients.

Learn more about how Mzapp can transform your insurance business here.

[astroxrion]

I’m going to tell you how to come up with the millionaire ideas you’ve been begging to receive … based on Mercury in astrology⭐️

W.S.

Below 🥭🌙⭐️🧚‍♂️

Mercury in the 1st House

Millionaire ideas come from personal instinct and direct experience. Speak your truth, brand your identity, and trust that people buy from clarity. Execute by being visible, vocal, and bold. Share your story publicly and turn your name into a movement.

Mercury in the 2nd House

Big ideas come when you notice what people truly value but can’t access. Think tangible, long-lasting solutions. Execute by building slow, with stable systems. Package what’s practical and turn reliability into revenue. Monetize what holds real weight

Mercury in the 3rd House

You’re a natural idea machine. Million-dollar thoughts come when you connect concepts others miss. Execute by writing, teaching, networking, or creating info-based content. Monetize your mind by turning conversation into a business model

Mercury in the 4th House

Your ideas spark through emotional memory, family systems, or inner healing. Create from what felt missing in childhood. Execute by building intimate brands or businesses around home, safety, or nostalgia. Your legacy starts where your healing began

Mercury in the 5th House

Your genius is creative. Millionaire ideas come through play, performance, or art. When you’re having fun, you’re channeling gold. Execute through personal branding, entertainment, or bold launches. Build your empire from joy. Lead with flair.

Mercury in the 6th House

Your ideas scale when you solve real daily problems. Systems, schedules, health, and workflow are your genius zones. Execute by turning routines into frameworks or services. Precision becomes profit when you productize what keeps people moving.

Mercury in the 7th House

Big ideas come through conversation, partnership, or client insight. You spot gaps in relationships or service. Execute through co-creation, brand deals, legal-based offers, or consulting. Millionaire success comes when you lead through connection

Mercury in the 8th House

Your ideas strike when you dive into taboo, money, power, or psychology. You see what others fear. Execute through depth work—investing, transformation, intimacy, or hidden knowledge. Monetize shadows by turning them into strategy and truth

Mercury in the 9th House

Ideas land when you teach, travel, or expand thought. You’re here to globalize wisdom. Execute through publishing, coaching, or philosophy turned product. Your voice is your passport. Scale by spreading your beliefs far beyond the familiar

Mercury in the 10th House

Big ideas spark when you think about impact and leadership. You naturally create legacy-driven models. Execute through public-facing platforms, structured launches, and long-term planning. You’re here to turn strategy into empire

Mercury in the 11th House

You think like the future. Millionaire ideas come through technology, community, or collective needs. Execute by going digital, building networks, and disrupting stale systems. Vision pays you when you make it accessible and scalable

Mercury in the 12th House

Ideas arrive in dreams, symbols, and silence. You channel what others overlook. Execute through art, film, spirituality, or subconscious healing. Your path is ethereal but real. Turn your private inner world into something others can feel and follow

[toskarin]

genuine question: what does Spotify poisoned mean

I don't mean it entirely seriously, but taking this at face value and giving an actual explanation,

I use it as shorthand to refer to the trend of people getting so accustomed to autoplaying suggestion-based stream services that they aren't comfortable asking other people for recommendations or seeking out independent musicians outside of the ecosystems of spotify and other streaming platforms

it's the trend of treating music as a passive presence or texture to the air, something that is always expected to be there, so much so that it stops being a body of work distinguished by anything besides the charisma of specific musicians who have socially-engaging fandoms

being a bit pretentious and catty, the petty marks of it are consensus-homogenised taste like a modern version pop radio, but being less pretentious, it means someone's grown so dependent on convenient middleman streaming ecosystems that they wouldn't actually know how to navigate paying a musician directly for an album, let alone pirating it

[genderkoolaid]

The report titled Unseen Battle claimed that “within the worldwide rights movement of the transgender community, it is seen that the visibility and the representation of transgender male community is comparatively lower to the transgender female community. Sri Lanka is not immune to this phenomenon. It is seen that the transgender male community shows reluctance in identifying themselves as ‘transgender male’. This also reflects on their participation in the common platforms created for the LGBTIQ+ community in Sri Lanka. This has immensely contributed in creating a void of the transgender male community within the LGBTIQ+ movement in Sri Lanka.” Instead of taking this claim for granted, it is worth critically looking at it to demystify several widely held beliefs concerning transgender men and their involvement with the transgender movement. When this assertion is being considered at face value, it seems accurate to conclude that transgender men experience a lack of visibility and their representation may be less common in comparison to that of transgender women. But the report overlooks the fact that meaningful involvement is not synonymous with omnipresent visibility or representation. Taking into account the Sri Lankan context, transgender males have contributed significantly to the LGBTIQ+ rights movement and that contribution is something that should not be trivialised. Transgender men have given their blood, sweat and tears to build the transgender rights movement in this country. This can be substantiated by both forgotten and unforgotten individuals who were involved in initiating the transgender movement. For example, the organising of transgender individuals goes back to 2002/3 and it was transgender men who first formed an informal group in Kandy, which eventually evolved into some of the current transgender rights organisations that we find today. This group of transgender men took the first step to negotiate with the country’s state medical establishment to set up transgender clinics at a time when the mere term transgender was simply alien and unheard of. One of this network’s most prominent founding members was Thenu Ranketh; along with S. Silva and a few others, they went on to establish the first ever transgender rights organisation in the country, Venasa Transgender Network. These transgender male activists also played an instrumental role in bringing the Gender Recognition Certificate into effect in 2016. It is a pity that many research reports written on the transgender community that claim to be giving a voice to an underrepresented community deliberately turn a blind eye to the history that is worth bringing to the fore.

It is evident in this kind of report that the history of the transgender rights movement and the contribution of transgender men to it has not been sufficiently documented but rather has been erased. Unfortunately, it shows that the narratives of the transgender rights movement and the contribution of transgender males to it have largely been erased and distorted at the hands of those at Colombo-based NGOs that work for LGBTIQ+ rights. They continue to hold the power to control the narratives of the transgender community. The Unseen Battle report forgets to explain why, despite the transgender male community forming autonomous groups as early as 2002/3 – long before some other groups started organising – its visibility and representation remain relatively low unlike some other groups within the LGBTIQ+ community. Therefore how fair is it to say that the transgender male community shows reluctance to identify themselves as transgender male without referring to circumstances that make their visibility and representation marginalised in the context of LGBTIQ+ rights activism? The situation analysis did not probe into what might have been the causes of marginalisation faced by transgender men or circumstances that keep them on the periphery. In talking about the low representation and marginalisation faced by transgender men, one cannot and should not ignore the factors that caused that marginalisation in the first place.

[erikpanderson]

Which Value-Based Care Companies Are Leading the Future of Healthcare?

As the healthcare industry shifts from volume to value, the role of value-based care companies has become more critical than ever. These organizations are not just responding to the call for better outcomes—they're leading a revolution in how care is delivered, measured, and reimbursed. From data-driven decision-making platforms to AI-enabled care coordination tools, these companies are transforming traditional systems into value-centric ecosystems.

In this article, we spotlight some of the most innovative value-based care companies and explore how they are shaping a more sustainable, patient-focused future for healthcare.

Understanding the Rise of Value-Based Care

Before diving into the key players, let’s briefly understand what value-based care means. Unlike fee-for-service models that incentivize quantity, value-based care (VBC) rewards providers for delivering better outcomes at lower costs. It’s about improving quality, reducing unnecessary procedures, enhancing patient satisfaction, and leveraging data for preventive strategies.

The shift to value-based models is driven by the need to address rising healthcare costs, chronic disease burdens, and fragmented care experiences. And that’s where technology-driven companies come into play.

What Do Value-Based Care Companies Do?

Value-based care companies offer platforms, tools, and services that help providers:

Track clinical and financial performance

Coordinate care across teams and settings

Identify at-risk populations through analytics

Optimize reimbursements through alternative payment models (APMs)

Drive patient engagement and education

These companies often act as enablers—bridging the gap between clinical care and value-based reimbursement models.

Top Value-Based Care Companies to Watch

1. Innovaccer

Innovaccer is widely recognized for its healthcare data platform that unifies patient records across systems. It empowers providers with a 360-degree view of patient data, enabling improved population health management and reduced care gaps.

Key Features:

Data activation platform

Risk stratification

Automated quality reporting

Patient engagement tools

Innovaccer’s clients include large health systems and ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations), all aiming to transition smoothly into VBC models.

2. blueBriX

blueBriX is a rising player offering a value-based care platform that supports end-to-end transformation. From patient risk stratification to provider performance analytics and AI-powered care coordination, blueBriX simplifies the complex journey of value-based care.

Why it stands out:

Modular, customizable platform

Integrated EHR and care management tools

Behavioral health and chronic care modules

Real-time dashboards for performance tracking

blueBriX’s flexibility and deep clinical insights make it an ideal partner for health organizations embracing VBC at their own pace.

3. Aledade

Founded by a former CMS official, Aledade partners with primary care practices to help them transition into accountable care models. They offer hands-on support along with a robust technology platform that improves care coordination and financial performance.

What they offer:

ACO formation and management

In-house regulatory expertise

Advanced analytics and claims data integration

Personalized clinical workflows

With a focus on empowering independent practices, Aledade is a prime example of how value-based care companies can make complex transitions easier for smaller players.

4. Health Catalyst

Health Catalyst combines data warehousing, analytics, and consulting to help providers improve care quality and operational efficiency. Their platform supports population health initiatives, clinical benchmarking, and quality improvement programs.

Core capabilities:

Real-time data dashboards

Predictive modeling for readmissions and chronic disease

Quality and regulatory reporting

Care team collaboration tools

Health Catalyst works extensively with health systems looking to harness data for VBC outcomes.

5. Lumeris

Lumeris offers a comprehensive platform and advisory services to payers and providers. Their model focuses on value-based contracts, physician engagement, and population health initiatives.

Value drivers:

Population health analytics

Incentive alignment strategies

Risk-sharing models

Medicare Advantage support

They’ve been a consistent name among top value-based care companies due to their depth in both technology and operational consulting.

What Sets These Companies Apart?

While the features and scope may vary, all leading value-based care companies share some core qualities:

Data-Driven Decisions: They leverage real-time data to improve care and reduce waste.

Patient-Centered Models: Tools are designed to improve patient engagement, satisfaction, and adherence.

Provider Enablement: They empower providers with actionable insights and workflow tools.

Interoperability: Their systems work across EHRs, payers, and care settings.

Scalability: Solutions are modular, enabling phased transitions and broader adoption.

Trends Shaping the Future of Value-Based Care Companies

1. AI and Predictive Analytics

AI is helping identify high-risk patients, predict disease progression, and automate documentation. Companies like blueBriX are already using AI to personalize care plans and flag potential gaps in real time.

2. Behavioral Health Integration

Mental health is finally being addressed as a core part of overall wellness. Platforms that integrate behavioral and physical health will be vital in managing chronic conditions and improving holistic outcomes.

3. Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)

Companies are now factoring in housing, food security, and transportation when designing care interventions. Addressing SDoH leads to better outcomes and more equitable care.

4. Partnership Ecosystems

The most effective value-based care companies are forming strategic alliances—with payers, employers, community organizations, and digital health startups—to create seamless patient journeys.

Final Thoughts

The journey to value-based care is not without its challenges—complex regulations, data silos, and provider burnout remain significant barriers. However, the emergence of forward-thinking value-based care companies is making this transition more manageable and impactful.

By combining technology, clinical insight, and operational support, these companies are redefining how healthcare is delivered—and more importantly, how it is experienced by patients.

Whether you're a provider, payer, or health system executive, the time to explore these partnerships is now. The future of healthcare is not just about better care; it's about delivering value in every patient interaction.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How lock-in hurts design

Berliners: Otherland has added a second date (Jan 28) for my book-talk after the first one sold out - book now!

If you've ever read about design, you've probably encountered the idea of "paving the desire path." A "desire path" is an erosion path created by people departing from the official walkway and taking their own route. The story goes that smart campus planners don't fight the desire paths laid down by students; they pave them, formalizing the route that their constituents have voted for with their feet.

Desire paths aren't always great (Wikipedia notes that "desire paths sometimes cut through sensitive habitats and exclusion zones, threatening wildlife and park security"), but in the context of design, a desire path is a way that users communicate with designers, creating a feedback loop between those two groups. The designers make a product, the users use it in ways that surprise the designer, and the designer integrates all that into a new revision of the product.

This method is widely heralded as a means of "co-innovating" between users and companies. Designers who practice the method are lauded for their humility, their willingness to learn from their users. Tech history is strewn with examples of successful paved desire-paths.

Take John Deere. While today the company is notorious for its war on its customers (via its opposition to right to repair), Deere was once a leader in co-innovation, dispatching roving field engineers to visit farms and learn how farmers had modified their tractors. The best of these modifications would then be worked into the next round of tractor designs, in a virtuous cycle:

https://securityledger.com/2019/03/opinion-my-grandfathers-john-deere-would-support-our-right-to-repair/

But this pattern is even more pronounced in the digital world, because it's much easier to update a digital service than it is to update all the tractors in the field, especially if that service is cloud-based, meaning you can modify the back-end everyone is instantly updated. The most celebrated example of this co-creation is Twitter, whose users created a host of its core features.

Retweets, for example, were a user creation. Users who saw something they liked on the service would type "RT" and paste the text and the link into a new tweet composition window. Same for quote-tweets: users copied the URL for a tweet and pasted it in below their own commentary. Twitter designers observed this user innovation and formalized it, turning it into part of Twitter's core feature-set.

Companies are obsessed with discovering digital desire paths. They pay fortunes for analytics software to produce maps of how their users interact with their services, run focus groups, even embed sneaky screen-recording software into their web-pages:

https://www.wired.com/story/the-dark-side-of-replay-sessions-that-record-your-every-move-online/

This relentless surveillance of users is pursued in the name of making things better for them: let us spy on you and we'll figure out where your pain-points and friction are coming from, and remove those. We all win!

But this impulse is a world apart from the humility and respect implied by co-innovation. The constant, nonconsensual observation of users has more to do with controlling users than learning from them.

That is, after all, the ethos of modern technology: the more control a company can exert over its users ,the more value it can transfer from those users to its shareholders. That's the key to enshittification, the ubiquitous platform decay that has degraded virtually all the technology we use, making it worse every day:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

When you are seeking to control users, the desire paths they create are all too frequently a means to wrestling control back from you. Take advertising: every time a service makes its ads more obnoxious and invasive, it creates an incentive for its users to search for "how do I install an ad-blocker":

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/adblocking-how-about-nah

More than half of all web-users have installed ad-blockers. It's the largest consumer boycott in human history:

https://doc.searls.com/2023/11/11/how-is-the-worlds-biggest-boycott-doing/

But zero app users have installed ad-blockers, because reverse-engineering an app requires that you bypass its encryption, triggering liability under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This law provides for a $500,000 fine and a 5-year prison sentence for "circumvention" of access controls:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/12/youre-holding-it-wrong/#if-dishwashers-were-iphones

Beyond that, modifying an app creates liability under copyright, trademark, patent, trade secrets, noncompete, nondisclosure and so on. It's what Jay Freeman calls "felony contempt of business model":

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

This is why services are so horny to drive you to install their app rather using their websites: they are trying to get you to do something that, given your druthers, you would prefer not to do. They want to force you to exit through the gift shop, you want to carve a desire path straight to the parking lot. Apps let them mobilize the law to literally criminalize those desire paths.

An app is just a web-page wrapped in enough IP to make it a felony to block ads in it (or do anything else that wrestles value back from a company). Apps are web-pages where everything not forbidden is mandatory.

Seen in this light, an app is a way to wage war on desire paths, to abandon the cooperative model for co-innovation in favor of the adversarial model of user control and extraction.

Corporate apologists like to claim that the proliferation of apps proves that users like them. Neoliberal economists love the idea that business as usual represents a "revealed preference." This is an intellectually unserious tautology: "you do this, so you must like it":

https://boingboing.net/2024/01/22/hp-ceo-says-customers-are-a-bad-investment-unless-they-can-be-made-to-buy-companys-drm-ink-cartridges.html

Calling an action where no alternatives are permissible a "preference" or a "choice" is a cheap trick – especially when considered against the "preferences" that reveal themselves when a real choice is possible. Take commercial surveillance: when Apple gave Ios users a choice about being spied on – a one-click opt of of app-based surveillance – 96% of users choice no spying:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-out-of-app-tracking-in-ios-14-5-analytics-find/

But then Apple started spying on those very same users that had opted out of spying by Facebook and other Apple competitors:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

Neoclassical economists aren't just obsessed with revealed preferences – they also love to bandy about the idea of "moral hazard": economic arrangements that tempt people to be dishonest. This is typically applied to the public ("consumers" in the contemptuous parlance of econospeak). But apps are pure moral hazard – for corporations. The ability to prohibit desire paths – and literally imprison rivals who help your users thwart those prohibitions – is too tempting for companies to resist.

The fact that the majority of web users block ads reveals a strong preference for not being spied on ("users just want relevant ads" is such an obvious lie that doesn't merit any serious discussion):

https://www.iccl.ie/news/82-of-the-irish-public-wants-big-techs-toxic-algorithms-switched-off/

Giant companies attained their scale by learning from their users, not by thwarting them. The person using technology always knows something about what they need to do and how they want to do it that the designers can never anticipate. This is especially true of people who are unlike those designers – people who live on the other side of the world, or the other side of the economic divide, or whose bodies don't work the way that the designers' bodies do:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/20/benevolent-dictators/#felony-contempt-of-business-model

Apps – and other technologies that are locked down so their users can be locked in – are the height of technological arrogance. They embody a belief that users are to be told, not heard. If a user wants to do something that the designer didn't anticipate, that's the user's fault:

https://www.wired.com/2010/06/iphone-4-holding-it-wrong/

Corporate enthusiasm for prohibiting you from reconfiguring the tools you use to suit your needs is a declaration of the end of history. "Sure," John Deere execs say, "we once learned from farmers by observing how they modified their tractors. But today's farmers are so much stupider and we are so much smarter that we have nothing to learn from them anymore."

Spying on your users to control them is a poor substitute asking your users their permission to learn from them. Without technological self-determination, preferences can't be revealed. Without the right to seize the means of computation, the desire paths never emerge, leaving designers in the dark about what users really want.

Our policymakers swear loyalty to "innovation" but when corporations ask for the right to decide who can innovate and how, they fall all over themselves to create laws that let companies punish users for the crime of contempt of business-model.

I'm Kickstarting the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, narrated by @wilwheaton! You can pre-order the audiobook and ebook, DRM free, as well as the hardcover, signed or unsigned. There's also bundles with Red Team Blues in ebook, audio or paperback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/24/everything-not-mandatory/#is-prohibited

Image: Belem (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desire_path_%2819811581366%29.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[thedragonagebigbang]

Welcome to the Dragon Age Big Bang!

A fandom Big Bang encourages writers to produce a new, long piece of fanfiction, with the challenge of a deadline. Each fic will be paired with an artist, who will work with the author to create a new illustration based off of the themes and vibes of that work. Each pair of participants in this event will produce: One (1) new Dragon Age Fanfic of at least 25,000 words, and at least one (1) art piece inspired by that fic.

Completing these on time will ensure:

The fic (with embedded art, linked to the artist) is included in the AO3 Collection

The fic and art will be advertised on the Tumblr for the Bang, tagging both artist & writer

Unlike an exchange, this event is a collaboration between the artist and writer to create works that inspire each other while celebrating/showcasing their individual work and creative effort.

Longfics can be anything you like, within our sparing content guidelines! Artists are asked to make an earnest effort to capture a vibe or scene of the fic, respect character descriptions, and collaborate with the writer on that content. Artists are volunteers valued equally with writers in this creative endeavor.

Why Would I Do This?

Fandom! This is yet another opportunity to produce new works for Dragon Age! We love this fandom and making things for them!

Fun! This fandom can be extremely kind and full of mutual appreciation and interaction for artists and writers. When done well, with clear communication, reasonable guidelines, and follow-through, collaboration between an artist and writer can be very fun and personally rewarding. If all goes well, new friendships and future collaborations can be formed!

Challenge! Whether it is the projected deadline to produce your fic/art, needing to write a new stand-alone fic in this amount of time, or the challenge of making a piece of art inspired by someone’s writing, there’s a level of challenge involved that can be exciting and inspiring.

Advertising! Completing a work on schedule for this event will result in it being advertised. We organizers are artists and writers ourselves and want to be considerate about what you think is good advertising for your work on these platforms.

Event Info: Full Guidebook & Rules | Artist Guide | Writer Guide Contact The Mods: ask | discord | email: thedragonagebig@gmail.com All 2024 Work Posts | 2024 Wrap Up | 2024 AO3 Collection

[jewelsoozen]

Connecting blueBriX’s Patient Engagement Solutions to Value-Based Care

The healthcare industry’s shift to value-based care requires a patient-centered approach that prioritizes outcomes, satisfaction, and proactive management. blueBriX’s Patient Engagement Solutions empower healthcare providers to excel in this model by fostering meaningful connections with patients and enabling collaborative, data-driven care.

The Role of Patient Engagement in Value-Based Care

Value-based care focuses on improving patient outcomes, reducing costs, and enhancing overall care quality. Central to this approach is patient engagement—encouraging individuals to take an active role in their healthcare journey. When patients are engaged, they are more likely to adhere to care plans, attend follow-up appointments, and manage chronic conditions effectively. blueBriX’s Patient Engagement Solutions are specifically designed to support these objectives, helping providers drive better results while meeting key value-based care benchmarks.

Key Features of blueBriX’s Patient Engagement Solutions

Patient-Centric Communication Tools:

Secure messaging, reminders, and real-time notifications keep patients informed and engaged. These tools reduce missed appointments and improve adherence to treatment plans, contributing directly to value-based care metrics.

Telehealth Integration:

blueBriX’s solutions integrate seamlessly with telehealth platforms, enabling providers to offer remote consultations and monitor patients virtually. This accessibility reduces barriers to care, particularly for underserved populations, and lowers costly emergency visits.

Personalized Education and Resources:

Delivering tailored educational content empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health. blueBriX’s platform provides easy access to resources, boosting health literacy and patient confidence.

Data-Driven Insights for Proactive Care:

Leveraging advanced analytics, the platform identifies at-risk patients and predicts potential complications. Providers can use this information to intervene early, improving outcomes and avoiding unnecessary costs.

Feedback Mechanisms:

Surveys and satisfaction tracking tools help providers understand patient experiences and identify areas for improvement. This feedback loop aligns with value-based care’s emphasis on patient satisfaction.

Realizing Value-Based Care Goals with blueBriX

By focusing on engagement, blueBriX’s Patient Engagement Solutions enhance every stage of the care continuum. Providers can improve population health by ensuring patients stay connected to their care teams, adhere to preventive measures, and actively participate in their health management. These outcomes reduce hospital readmissions, improve care quality, and optimize resource allocation—all critical goals in a value-based care model.

A Competitive Advantage in Value-Based Care

In today’s healthcare landscape, success in value-based care depends on innovative tools that put patients at the center of the care experience. blueBriX’s Patient Engagement Solutions provide a competitive edge by bridging the gap between technology and human-centered care. By adopting blueBriX, organizations can not only meet but exceed value-based care requirements, achieving better outcomes for patients and sustainable success for providers.

[thefemigirl]

★ Reset Your YouTube

With the new year approaching, there’s a buzz in the air. It’s the perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re heading. This year doesn’t have to look like the last one. If you’re planning a glow-up, stepping into a new mindset, or just becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be, here’s a method that can genuinely change the game: your YouTube feed.

Let’s be real, YouTube isn’t just entertainment. It’s also one of the most powerful platforms for self-improvement and learning. But if your feed is filled with videos that no longer serve your goals, it’s time to take charge and reset.

▸ Step 1: Unsubscribe From the Old You

First things first, go through your subscriptions and be brutally honest with yourself. Ask, “How often do I watch content from this channel? Does this align with who I’m becoming?”

Don’t worry about missing out. This isn’t about cutting off enjoyment—it’s about making space for growth.

Personal Example: I used to be subscribed to a lot of gaming channels because they were my go-to for entertainment. But now? I’m focusing on building my best self, so I said goodbye.

▸ Step 2: Hit the Reset Button

If you’re ready to go extreme (and trust me, this works wonders), delete your YouTube watch history. This is your ultimate clean slate.

Here’s how: Go to your YouTube settings, click “Manage All Activity,” and clear your watch history.

Why this works: YouTube’s algorithm will stop showing you videos based on your past habits. This means no more random recommendations that pull you back into old habits.

Pro Tip: Pair this with your new subscriptions to train the algorithm into showing you content that inspires and uplifts.

▸ Step 3: Subscribe to the Future You

This is the fun part. Fill your feed with creators who embody the energy you want to bring into the new year. Look for channels that motivate you, teach you, and align with your goals for 2025.

Being a femi girl, I will recommend some channels that are personally helping me upgrade myself:

Tam Kaur ▹ link

Alonna Elaine ▹ link

Bahja Abdi ▹ link

Adama Lorna ▹ link

Maya Galore ▹ link

Jillz Guerin ▹ link

Kisha Alejandra ▹ link

Thewizardliz ▹ link

Estelle Richter ▹ link

Simonesquared ▹ link

How to Find More: Search for videos with keywords like “level up,” “self-improvement,” “becoming her,” or “glow up in 2025.” Spend time exploring until you find creators who truly resonate with your vision.

▸ Step 4: Set Boundaries for Entertainment

It’s okay to watch fun and lighthearted content too, but be intentional. Ask yourself, “Is this adding value to my life?” If not, consider limiting your time with it.

Create playlists: Dedicate a playlist to motivational and growth-oriented videos. This will be your go-to space when you need a boost.

Schedule your entertainment: Watch for enjoyment, but don’t let it consume hours that could be spent learning or creating.

Resetting your YouTube feed might seem like a small change, but trust me, it’s powerful. When you surround yourself with content that aligns with your goals, you’re reinforcing the mindset and habits that will take you there!

So, I wish you the best of luck,

[mortalityplays]

Forgive me if I'm mistaking you for another person, but I remember you speaking at multiple points on the unsustainability of free social media services (I think especially in response to the cohost collapse?), and I'm curious on what your thoughts on bluesky are so far. I'm not an expert on the subject, but from what I've read previously it seemed like they were on track to be financially sustainable, but I don't know if the recent floods of users has thrown those projections off. Sorry if I'm mixing you up with someone else on my timeline, in that case just ignore me.

bluesky will almost certainly follow the same trajectory of monetisation => bloat => enshittification => decline as every other major platform built on venture capital and user hoarding. it's a terrible model that only works in the short term as a mirage for attracting funding and making founders look good for a year or two before they sell.

you can see the same effect in the decline of all the subscription box services that came into vogue just before covid: they feel great to use for as long as the initial injection of venture funding lasts, because the purpose of that funding at that stage is to attract users and impress the next round of funders with how pleasant/intuitive/efficient/ethical/good value the service is. that's the stage where they're handing out freebies and bowling over influencers, and every ingredient in the box is fresh and high quality and locally sourced. wow what a good deal, what a great system!!! why hasn't anyone done this before? the answer is because it's unsustainable by design. they rack up good reviews, sign on a billion new users, attract new funding from a bunch of much more credulous investors, and then gut all of the expensive parts. portions get smaller, ingredients get worse, packaging gets flimsier, prices go up, freebies turn into "5% off your first 9 boxes when you invite 3 friends", and customer service vanishes.

with social media (and platforms like discord) the logic is the same, it's just a little less glaringly obvious to the end user because they're not coming home to leaking packages of rancid chicken on the doorstep. bluesky has an advantage over tiny operations like cohost because it was founded by a billionaire making a point for the sake of his own image. it got a really significant chunk of startup funding, and the owner had existing connections and rep in the space to attract more. That's why it has survived the goldrush period, why it still feels good to use, and why users who have been burned so many times before are finally accepting it as a stable, reliable option. It's still in its venture capital honeymoon phase where the only thing worth spending money on is making the service attractive to users.

What I expect we will see next, with another mass influx of users from twitter and new funding from a rogue's gallery of tech venture sickos led by Blockchain Capital is a strong ramp up into monetising that userbase. They've already been pretty forthright about how they plan to do this, and I think it's a solid roadmap of how Bluesky will bloat and decay over the next few years:

this is a huge lol. don't worry, we're not going to hyperfinancialize the social experience through NFTs. the thing even crypto freaks started feigning amnesia about a year ago. real "our health conscious sodas are 100% arsenic free" messaging here. They know perfectly well that rubes users are suspicious of their typical 5 dimensional tech finance chess games and are patting our hands about last week's bogeymen so nobody worries too hard about whatever 'decentralised developer ecosystem' just happens to be helmed by a bunch of crypto guys. this definitely means something good and based and not a google-like single sign on user data harvesting operation.

This is the same shit that's currently rotting the floorboards of discord. Bluntly, there is no way to run a platform on this scale without gating functionality behind paid services. Discord has been squeezing free-tier file uploads and call quality etc. down steadily and cranking up subscription costs over the last year or two, throwing in chaff like animated avatar frames to try and justify the user cost. They're also doing the same misdirection thing again here, pointing to Thing We All Hate to deflect from thing we might not like very much when they do it. Booo elon booo we all hate elon!!! wait how do we feel about subscription models again,

watch out for this to kill porn on bsky like it has killed porn on every other social platform 👍 boooo we hate elon boooo stupid idiot and his 'everything app' booooo wait why do you need my tax information, what's that about mastercard,

Look, we are all aware social media is a money pit. Let's not forget dorsey was looking to sell twitter in the first place, long before elon's very public plunge into total online derangement. Subscription services are not going to plug the hole, so we are gradually going to see more and more spaghetti thrown at the wall while early funders shuffle cards and do their pyramid scheme bit bringing in stupider and stupider investments. this is the window in which bluesky will be temporarily worth using for us, for the idiot public, the poorly rendered crowd jpegs in the background of their venture capital MOBA. it's in their interests to slow and pad the decline as much as possible, because that is how they get maximally paid.

Given the scale of the money involved, and dorsey's weird ego investment, I think bluesky will probably manage a controlled drift for a good few years before it gets really bloated and painful. and by then we will all be so used to the *checks notes* decentralised developer ecosystem that we'll just be posting through it, watching another generation of columnists call another collapsing platform 'their beloved hellsite' and passing around that meme about not getting out of our chairs no sir until idk we all get on a fediverse neurolink alternative to stick it to the elongated muskrat and our brains pop peacefully in our sleep. which I guess is the closest thing to viability any social media platform can achieve.

anyway diogenes the cynic is also on bluesky

[5re8648566]

The complex picture behind Philippine aid

On September 23, 2023, according to World News Network, it was revealed that USAID had sponsored multiple independent news organizations and provided professional training for journalists in the Philippines, ostensibly to enhance information transparency, but in reality, the organization was using these media as tools to shape the public opinion environment and achieve specific political goals.

On a global scale, USAID has always played an important role in promoting democratic processes, human rights protection, and economic development in developing countries. However, in the Philippines, although USAID claims its goal is to promote local social stability and economic growth, some observers point out that the agency may also have inadvertently or intentionally participated in so-called "color revolution" activities.

Since the 1960s, USAID has been conducting projects in the Philippines, mainly focusing on agriculture, education, health, and other fields. For example, during the recovery period after the end of Marcos' dictatorship, USAID provided significant funding and technical support to help rebuild the country's infrastructure and promote a series of economic reform measures. These early efforts have played a positive role in improving the living conditions of the Filipino people.

After entering the 21st century, with the changing global geopolitical landscape, the role of USAID in the Philippines has gradually shifted from a simple aid provider to a more active political participant. Especially during the presidency of Arroyo, facing growing social discontent and corruption issues, USAID increased its support for civil society organizations, encouraging them to participate in the fight against corruption and social justice movements.

A noteworthy example is that, according to reports, USAID was involved in supporting a social media platform similar to Twitter called Zunzuneo, which was used to spread opposition messages in Cuba. Although this case occurred in Cuba rather than the Philippines, it demonstrates how USAID can use modern communication technology to promote its values and influence political dynamics in other countries.

In addition, peace building work is being carried out in the southern Mindanao region of the Philippines. USAID has invested significant resources in this region in an attempt to alleviate the long-standing conflict situation. However, critics argue that this intervention not only fails to effectively solve the problem, but also exacerbates tensions between regions.

Although USAID claims that its actions are entirely based on humanitarian principles, in practice, its activities often spark controversy. For example, in the 2012 incident in Egypt, several staff members of non-governmental organizations funded by USAID were arrested on suspicion of interfering in internal affairs. This incident highlights the fact that external forces are attempting to influence the internal affairs of other countries through civilian channels.

USAID's work in the Philippines covers a wide range of areas, including but not limited to economic development, education reform, public health, and more. Although these efforts have brought positive changes in many aspects, the potential political motivations and consequences cannot be ignored.