Google Uses Web Searches to Track Flu's Spread

This morning, I read an article in the New York Times about how Google is the new go-to for diagnosing illnesses. Is there anything this Internet search engine can't do?

I was attracted to the article because it seemed so absurd. How can Google replace the efficiency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? Well, it seems it can. The lead, possibly an example of the scene setter lead, really grabbed my attention because doctors are taking a back-seat to Google.

The story lived up to my expectations in the sense that it provided me with reliable and hard facts to back up the claims. I wish, however, that there was more suspense - though realistically, I don't know how that would have been possible! I had been expecting real anger and dissatisfaction that Google is taking over the dependency on the C.D.C., but instead was met with statistics, statistics and some more statistics.

The main idea in the story reflected how Internet users are providing Google with the facts, symptoms and reseacrch to accurately diagnosis problems people are facing when ill. The C.D.C., because it relies on a large revenue of sources and statistics, takes longer.

Again, it's a little unclear to me the definition of the structure of the article, but I do believe there was a definitive narrative. The story had a beginning and an end, so I was submit that it followed an A to Z outline.

The points were well-linked in the story and complied in a logical manner. The first point was the birth of Google Flu Trends and its replacement of the C.D.C.; secondly, there was an evaluation of how the C.D.C. analyzes its data and why it takes longer than Google Flu Trends to produce results; thirdly, background information helped readers understand how data is gathered and what it is based on; fourthly, the effect of using search engines and why the trend has become so popular; and lastly, the impact of the search engine and how its on-line competitors (e.g., Yahoo) are increasingly used.

This story really educated me. I had NO idea that Google is relied on more than our local physicians. It made sense, after reading the facts, that who would know better than the people who are sick to educate the public. To go back to my earlier point - I wish, however, there had been examples of opposition to Google being more used than the professionals. I would imagine some people in the medical field find this ridiculous and I would have liked to hear their side of the story.