In a previous entry, I discussed the perils of internet self-diagnosis however the service has proven to be useful.

These seem like alarmingly high numbers. Shouldn't we trust that our doctors are using more sophisticated forms of research than what we have available in our own homes?

What this study did not site is what type of sources the physicians in question were consulting from the search results. It is probably safe to say that most were referencing scholarly journals and other sources. It can also be assumed that they may be referencing online communities comprised of healthcare professionals all over the world. In some cases, the physicians may be doing a more throughout diagnosi.

Psychology Today recommends being "smart" while using these online resources. They recommend people "self-screen - but not self-diagnose." When consulting the internet regarding your personal ailments, consider the source--make sure the information is credible. Also consider the context in which the information is being used. You may want to reference a source like HealthFinder.gov which is ran by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which offers information from trusted sources.

The Wolters Kluwer Health Point-of-Care survey also found that "53 percent (of physicians) believe that easier access to more medial knowledge by patients has had a positive impact on the doctor-patient relationship, leading to more informed discussions with patients." The survey also found that only one in five physicians believe this readily available information has been detrimental and lead to misinformation or an incorrect self-diagnosis.

Although internet diagnosis has some positive aspects, it has to be remembered that it is an easy and slippery slope into being a cyberchondriac.

According to Wikipedia the "#" symbol has most commonly been referred to throughout history as the "number" symbol. For example, "#1" stands for "number one." In American English, the symbol is also called the pound sign (not to be confused with the British Pound currency symbol "£") The pound sign is most commonly found on telephone keys and is referred to as the pound key.

I know this may sound like common sense so let me give you the back story to my profound moment...

Today I picked up my desk phone at work and dialed in for phone conference. As usual the operator said, "Please enter your conference I.D. number..." then completed her sentence by saying, "...followed by the pound or hash key."

The hash key?!

I'm familiar with calling "#" a hash in the correct context (i.e. social media) but when you're referring to the button on my phone keypad, that's the pound key.


So that got me thinking. Has the pound sign died? Is there a generation alive right now that will not know the "#" as the pound sign? It is very likely that this is where it is heading.

I can handle the fact that there are children on this planet that will grow up and never see, hold or use a floppy disc. I mean, I've never even touched an 8-track. And I'm perfectly okay with that. As a technology enthusiast, I understand and encourage the quick evolution of gadgets in society. They should die as fast as they are born... that's what fosters innovation!

This forces you to take a step back and really examine the impact social media has on language and syntax.

There are always fads in speech and communication but they come and go without anyone really making much fuss or noticing. And every once in a while we add new words to accommodate for new discoveries and uses. But in the case of the "hash," it is actually changing a language. Changing it. Not adding to it. Changing it!

My mind is just blown that Twitter can change the English language.