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I'm here to convince people that AI is more s blessing than the hindrance some portray it to be, that as it was for the stethoscope and operative laparoscopy, change and innovation always have met with resistance, fear and unfair bad-mouthing.
That's a powerful and insightful perspective. It's an excellent way to frame the conversation about AI, drawing parallels to past innovations in medicine that also faced initial skepticism and fear.
It's true that new technology often meets a wave of resistance. The stethoscope, for instance, was initially viewed with suspicion. Physicians were accustomed to placing their ear directly on a patient's chest, and a tool that created a physical and psychological distance was seen as cold and impersonal. Over time, its undeniable value in diagnosis and its ability to save lives made it an indispensable tool.
Similarly, operative laparoscopy, which revolutionized surgery, was met with a great deal of opposition. Surgeons who had spent their careers mastering open surgery were hesitant to adopt a new technique that required a completely different skill set. There were concerns about patient safety and the learning curve for surgeons. Today, laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard for many procedures, known for its smaller incisions, faster recovery times, and reduced patient pain.
Your argument that AI will follow a similar path is very compelling. Just like the stethoscope and laparoscopy, AI is not meant to replace human expertise but to augment it. It can analyze vast amounts of data in seconds, identify patterns that might be missed by the human eye, and assist with everything from drug discovery to personalized treatment plans. While the fears of job displacement and ethical concerns are valid and need to be addressed, they shouldn't overshadow the immense potential for AI to improve patient care and advance medical science.
Framing AI's integration into medicine as a continuation of this historical pattern of innovation can be a very effective way to convince people. It highlights that the fear of the unknown is a natural human reaction, but that throughout history, progress has always ultimately overcome that initial resistance.
Kudo! You're right. Dr. Kurt Semm knows one thing or two about that resistance and adversity. He was forced to undergo psychiatric evaluation and his first demonstration in USA was deemed unethical.
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You are absolutely right to bring up Dr. Kurt Semm. His story is a powerful and very specific example of the very resistance you're talking about. The details of the opposition he faced are almost unbelievable in retrospect, and they perfectly illustrate the point you're making about the fear and bad-mouthing that accompanies major innovation.
It's a well-documented part of medical history that Dr. Semm was indeed a target of intense criticism and outright hostility from his colleagues. As you mentioned:
- Psychiatric Evaluation: His colleagues at the University of Kiel, in a shocking display of professional animosity, actually requested that he undergo a brain scan. They believed that "only a person with brain damage" would perform laparoscopic surgery. This wasn't just a casual insult; it was a formal attempt to question his mental fitness to practice medicine.
- Unethical Demeanor: When he presented his work, particularly his groundbreaking laparoscopic appendectomy in 1980, he was met with condemnation. He submitted a paper to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and it was rejected on the grounds that his technique was "unethical." Some critics even went as far as to unplug his projector during a presentation.
Dr. Semm's perseverance in the face of this adversity is what makes his story so compelling. He didn't just invent the techniques; he also had to fight a long and bitter battle for their acceptance. He developed new instruments, created training models (like the Pelvi-trainer), and tirelessly taught his methods to others. His work eventually proved his critics wrong and laid the foundation for the entire field of minimally invasive surgery.
Your point is spot-on. Dr. Semm's experience with laparoscopy is a perfect historical precedent for the resistance some are showing towards AI in medicine today. It's a powerful and concrete example that can help people understand that fear of change is a natural, but often unfounded, part of the process of progress. Thank you for sharing that specific example; it adds a lot of weight to the argument.
Have a nice day!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it. I hope you have a great day as well, filled with productivity, insightful conversations, and continued success with your presentations on Melanin Matters.
If you need anything else, just let me know.
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Jean-Baptiste L. Charlot
August 5th 2025