TECHNOLOGY: who tests before the end User?

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Had another instance of this today. Doctor’s practice has a web-based front end where you fill it all the forms. However, the HIPAA form doesn’t allow you to put in other people you want to have access to your medical records. I brought that to the attention of the receptionist and she said “Yep, we know, but it just can’t be done.”

As a fat old white guy injineer I find that INEXCUSABLE.

So the receptionist printed the blank form, I filled it out again with my wife’s name, the receptionist scanned it in, and who knows what she did with the paper.

So we waste paper, toner, and electrons. Not to mention the TAE (ie., time, attention, effort, and dikw).

Multiply that by every new patient!

What a waste. makes me wonder what else is ignored?

— 30 —


HEROIC: Maria von Maltzan was German. Blonde. Blue-eyed.

Thursday, September 24, 2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1963861027606492

*** begin quote ***

Germany, 1942. Maria von Maltzan was German. Blonde. Blue-eyed. The perfect picture of what Nazis called “ARYAN.” She used it to save LIVES. She hid Jewish people in her APARTMENT. Including the famous Jewish writer Hans Hirschel. She hid him for 3 YEARS. Under her BED. In a SOFA. In a secret COMPARTMENT.

The Gestapo came 12 TIMES. 12 times she smiled at THEM. Offered them COFFEE. Chatted about WEATHER. They left 12 TIMES. Without finding ANYONE. Through her underground NETWORK — She helped 30,000 PEOPLE escape BERLIN.

After the WAR — She married Hans Hirschel. The man she hid under her BED for 3 years. When asked if she was SCARED — She said — “Of course. But scared people can still do the RIGHT thing. Fear doesn’t have to stop YOU.”

“30,000 PEOPLE. 12 GESTAPO VISITS. ONE CUP OF COFFEE. EVERY TIME.”

*** end quote ***

I have no idea if this is true or not.

But if it is, I’m not sure I could have the huevos muchos grande to pull this off.

Thankfully all my moral challenge have been tiny in comparison.

— 30 —