"Why should I pay for a blood test?" or "There he goes again with his crazy talk"

Today I received an e-mail from Quest Diagnostics which headline read "20% off certain tests" and that got me thinking...

Why do we pay facilities for testing? Any testing, really, but especially very common testing like blood tests?

Hold on kids - I haven't had too many Bud Lights and turned communist or whatever lousy beer does to our bodies and minds. I'm a dedicated anarcho-capitalist/voluntaryist or whatever name is being used now.

I'm not peititioning for free testing. Testing costs money. There's the semi-skilled tester/collector, delivery of bio fluids to some lab and then the testing done at same, and then the result must be delivered to whomever.

But the most important value of testing is....DATA. Sure, you found out that your cholesterol is a little high, but the testing company has valuable data. Not just your test results, but YOU. Name, age, weight, last time tested, lifetime results, all your medical history. Combine this with say, WalMart or CVS and someone can probably figure out your cholesterol level without even testing. In any regard, data that can be combined and mined is probably the most valuable item on Earth right now.

"B-but your data isn't sold or divulged to anyone.."

Really? Ever read all those forms that you blindly sign? Just about the only thing that isn't shared is your name and your exact address. The "anonymized" data is compiled and packaged and then sold to lots of people, few of whom are likely to be your personal confidants.

Data compiling and mining is a huge industry and the players are the most well-heeled of all "players". At the very least, providing your data should earn you compensation, not the other way around. Those same "players" who crave information may gladly provide both free testing and a small commssion to those being tested.

So, Quest, keep your tests. I call you when I am having a 20% off sale of my own.

#gfy #grownostr