The amazing thing about SXSW is that the panel you go to may not be what you really expect it to be.  That experience happened twice for me on Sunday.  The first panel was a presentation put together by Jonathan Richman (@jonmrich).  Richman discussed using technology to lengthen our lives and provide a better quality of life. His point is stated quite succinctly.

How we can better leverage digital technologies (most of which exist today already) to dramatically improve our health. Developing a new drug is a gamble. The FDA approved only 21 new drugs last year. The amount spent on R&D by pharma companies last year?

$60 billion.

Something’s not working.

The argument is significant and at the same time, easily dismissed.  You may be thinking, “well of course…computers can help!”  However, the way technology is used may not be angled in the correct manner.  There needs to be a shift of thinking and understanding.  Rather than go point by point of his presentation, I offer of some of Jonathan Richman’s observations to start a conversation.

1. Data is the answer.  How do you get people to give up health data for people to study?  Make it easy for people.  Let them live their lives.  People write whatever they want on Facebook, how do they become comfortable sharing health issues?

2.  How do you break down the personal risk of behavior to individuals?  Everyone knows smoking is bad, but people still do it because they think it will effect everyone but them.

3. If Watson can answer every question on Jeopardy, why can’t he help diagnose disease and sickness?

4. How can we use social media to save lives and extend life?  Watch this video and see!

There are some amazing things we can do with technology.  Some may just help all of us!