Commercial AI companion products include text-based Replika, the holographic Gatebox, and Harmony by RealDoll, a lifelike humanoid companion.

Replika is described as an AI chatbot that provides emotional support via text conversations and adapts its responses over time to personalize interactions.

Gatebox offers a holographic AI avatar that can send messages during the day, welcome users home, and integrate with smart home appliance control.

Harmony by RealDoll combines AI with a lifelike humanoid robot to offer conversational, customizable romantic companions that can remember user preferences and display selectable personality traits.

Manufacturers and gerontechnology developers are producing robot pets and interactive robot dolls intended to interact with older adults and alleviate psychological loneliness.

Some companion robots include localized voice functions and simple conversational capabilities to greet and talk with elderly users.

Companion robots are being discussed and integrated within broader eldercare technology systems such as ambient assisted living, tele-rehabilitation, and smart-home solutions.

Researchers propose designing robots to behave like dogs by emphasizing communication, predictable reactions, physical signs of attachment, enthusiasm, joint activities, intimacy, and adaptability to recreate animal-like companionship.

Commentators and studies report that AI companions can offer nonjudgmental, 24/7 availability, simulated empathy, and may help people with social anxiety or serve as a practice ground for social interaction.

In eldercare settings, companion robots have been used to provide social contact, timely greetings, and a sense of presence that can relieve loneliness and reduce caregiver pressure.

AI robots are being explored as tools in dementia care and for people with cognitive impairment as part of efforts to address staff shortages and provide mental-health support.

Researchers have suggested that embedding dog-like behaviors in robots might allow owners to receive similar experience and health benefits as friendship with a real animal while reducing responsibility for care.

Public attitudes are mixed: some users report strong emotional attachment to chatbots and robots, while experts warn of risks including withdrawal from real relationships, reduced social skills, and unrealistic expectations about human relationships.

Ethical concerns raised in the literature include attachment to nonconscious entities, the potential for AI companions to worsen social isolation if they substitute for human contact, and the need for developer transparency to avoid exploiting vulnerable users.

Authors and commentators note there is limited rigorous research on the long-term effects of human-AI companionship and on claimed therapeutic uses, including sexual or romantic applications for disabled or elderly people.

In Hong Kong, census data cited in coverage show the number of elderly people living alone rose by more than 50% in the prior decade to over 150,000 households, motivating interest in companion technologies.

Some community and housing projects are actively considering or piloting companion-robot introductions as part of elderly-friendly housing initiatives.

Overall, current products range from chatbots and holographic avatars to lifelike humanoid robots and robot pets, and they are used for social interaction, emotional support, therapeutic assistance, and integration into eldercare technology systems, while raising important ethical and research questions.

Conclusion: Robotic pet companions and AI companions can offer accessible social and emotional support for older or lonely adults, but evidence on long-term benefits and risks is limited and ethical concerns about replacing real animals or human contact remain active and unresolved.

Commercial AI companion products include text-based Replika, the holographic Gatebox, and Harmony by RealDoll, a lifelike humanoid companion.

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How AI Companions Are Redefining Human Relationships In The Digital Age

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In an era where technology is increasingly intertwined with every aspect of our lives, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to fill roles that were traditionally reserved for humans, including those of friends, confidants, and even romantic partners. This burgeoning relationship between humans and AI raises profound questions about the nature of companionship, the human need for connection, and the potential consequences of substituting human interaction with digital entities.

The Emergence of AI Companions

The concept of AI companionship is not new, but its realization in practical applications is a relatively recent development. These AI companions are designed to provide emotional support, companionship, and in some cases, even mimic romantic or intimate human relationships. Replika is one of the most well-known examples. It is an AI chatbot designed to provide emotional support. Users interact with Replika through text conversations, and the AI learns over time to provide more personalized responses, simulating a genuine emotional connection.

Another example is Gatebox. They have taken the concept a step further by creating a holographic AI companion. Aimed at people who live alone, Gatebox’s AI avatar can send messages throughout the day, welcome users home, and even control smart home appliances, creating a sense of presence and companionship.

Next, there is Harmony by RealDoll. A more controversial use, Harmony combines AI with a lifelike humanoid robot to offer a romantic and physical companion. Harmony can hold conversations, remember user preferences, and express various personality traits.

The Psychology Behind AI Relationships

Why are people turning to AI for companionship? The reasons are as varied as the individuals themselves, but several key factors contribute to this phenomenon. First, we are experiencing a rapidly growing loneliness epidemic. In a world where social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as major health risks, AI companions offer a semblance of connection for those who feel disconnected from human relationships. This is particularly poignant in countries like Japan, where societal changes have led to a rise in solitary lifestyles. Second, AI relationships provide a level of convenience and control that is not always possible in human interactions. These digital companions are available 24x7, don’t have their own emotional baggage, and can be switched off at the user’s convenience. Third, advances in AI technology have enabled these digital entities to appear more human-like in their interactions. From remembering past conversations to displaying empathy, AI companions can simulate many aspects of human interaction, making them more appealing as social partners.

The Impact on Human Relationships

The rise of AI companionship is not without its implications for society and how we perceive human relationships. For some, AI companions can serve as a bridge to better emotional health. These AI systems provide a non-judgmental space for people to express themselves, which can be particularly valuable for those with social anxiety or other mental health challenges. Moreover, AI companions serve as a stepping stone, helping individuals develop social skills and confidence that can be transferred to human relationships. However, there are concerns about the long-term impact of relying on AI for companionship. One major concern is that these relationships could lead to further social isolation, as individuals might prefer the uncomplicated nature of AI companions over the more challenging dynamics of human relationships. This could potentially exacerbate the loneliness epidemic rather than alleviate it. Then, there are also ethical considerations surrounding the development and use of AI in such intimate roles. The attachment to AI entities that don't possess genuine emotions or consciousness raises questions about the nature of empathy, affection, and what it means to be human.

Implications for Traditional Dating and Marriage

As AI companions become more prevalent and sophisticated, their impact on traditional dating and marriage is inevitable. There is a very real possibility that AI may supplement or even replace human relationships. For some people, AI companions are the outlet for support and companionship that are traditionally forged through human interaction. Moreover, we are already seeing a trend in which younger generations leverage Ai as a practice ground for social interactions, potentially enriching users' capacity to engage in human relationships. However, there is a possibility that some individuals might prefer AI companions to traditional human partners. The predictability, lack of judgment, and customizable nature of AI entities can make them more appealing, especially for those who have had negative experiences with human relationships. As a result, there is a changing perception of what companionship means. Thus, the rise of AI companions challenges our traditional notions of companionship, love, and emotional connection. It raises questions about what it means to love and be loved, and whether these concepts are exclusively human.

Navigating a New Era of Companionship

As AI companions become more prevalent in society, it's crucial to navigate this new era responsibly. That’s why it's important to find a balance between utilizing AI for emotional support and maintaining human connections. Encouraging and facilitating human social interactions alongside the use of AI companions can help mitigate the risk of social isolation. Developers of AI companions have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their creations. This includes being transparent about the limitations of AI companionship and avoiding designs that could exploit vulnerable individuals. Moreover, ongoing research is needed to understand the long-term effects of human-AI relationships fully. This research should inform policies and guidelines for the development and use of AI companions. Moreover, open dialogue about the benefits and risks of these relationships is essential to navigating the ethical landscape.

The advent of AI as a substitute for human relationships, including love and friendship, marks a significant shift in our social landscape. While AI companions can offer support and connection to those in need, they also bring with them a host of ethical, psychological, and social implications. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, a cautious and thoughtful approach is vital. The future of human-AI relationships will depend on our ability to balance technological advancements with a deep understanding of human needs and values. In this new era of companionship, we must tread carefully, ensuring that our pursuit of innovation does not lead us away from the essence of what makes us inherently human: our capacity for genuine connection and empathy.

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Replika is described as an AI chatbot that provides emotional support via text conversations and adapts its responses over time to personalize interactions.

Gatebox offers a holographic AI avatar that can send messages during the day, welcome users home, and integrate with smart home appliance control.

Harmony by RealDoll combines AI with a lifelike humanoid robot to offer conversational, customizable romantic companions that can remember user preferences and display selectable personality traits.

Manufacturers and gerontechnology developers are producing robot pets and interactive robot dolls intended to interact with older adults and alleviate psychological loneliness.

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Technology helps improve the image of caregivers and reduce stress! What is the most important thing to develop wisdom and care for the elderly?
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• Ada Chow
Ada Chow
Ada Chow
Senior PR / event planner with a passion for life and a simple perspective on the relationship between digital and life.
Smart Living
Smart care products are widely available in various markets, such as screening the risk of 28 diseases of the elderly through AI artificial intelligence technology, including various eye diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, Parkinson ’ s disease and other diseases.
At present, this solution is used in more than 30 triple-A hospitals in China.
In Hong Kong, Healfie is a mobile app that monitors and manages macular lesions. The aim is to help users and their families pay attention to and face up to this type of eye disease.
In addition, the research team of the Department of Biomedical Engineering of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed a simple and easy-to-use “Artificial Intelligence Assessment System for Knee Arthritis ” to identify high-risk patients, so that they can reverse their condition in golden time, reduce joint degeneration, and relieve the pain of surgery, thereby relieving the pressure on the public health care system.
The term "Gerontechnology" has also been translated into "Elderly Technology" or "Elderly Technology".
The International Society of Gerontechnology (ISG) defines the fields of gerontology as health, housing, mobility, communication, leisure and work. Every industry should find room for development and innovation in the field of gerontology.
Intelligent Home Rehabilitation System, the application of computer graphics and image processing technology, rehabilitation treatment can be integrated with the remote home care system, tele-rehabilitation software or platform allows the elderly to carry out rehabilitation at home, and real-time online communication, to achieve the effect of consultation and rehabilitation, reducing the need for elderly to travel to and from home. With the time, cost and manpower of the hospital, we also provide a variety of rehabilitation projects to choose from.
Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), the development of smart home, smart living technology and products, allowing the elderly to spend their later years at home in a familiar environment. In recent years, Europe has further expanded to the development of environmentally assisted living technology. In a reactive environment, it is possible to analyze data, make decisions, take action, and so on.
Intelligent Mobility Assisted Devices (Mobility) is one of the basic conditions for the elderly to enjoy a high-quality, independent and autonomous elderly life.
It refers not only to the physical mobility of the elderly, but also to the ability to travel on their own to the place they want to reach.
Senior-Friendly Communication Devices And Online Social Network is a communication platform and social network developed for the elderly to provide learning, social, activities, travel and other services to enhance participation in the community, as well as life support assistance.
Companion Robot For Older Adults (Companion Robot For Older Adults), various service robots integrate into human life with different roles.
The development of many robot pets and robot dolls can interact with the elderly, which really helps to alleviate the psychological loneliness of the elderly and feel the value of being needed again.
Interactive Fun Technology for Older Adults is an interactive entertainment technology for the elderly. It is designed for the elderly 's past experience, physiology and cognitive ability. It enables the elderly to continue their mental activity and provide appropriate sensory stimulation from interactive entertainment to reduce the risk of dementia.
The application of smart technology to the life and care of the elderly is an important opportunity in the industry. From the upstream technology industry, to the midstream life industry, to the downstream service providers, it can also enhance the image of professional caregivers and relieve the pressure of family caregivers.
With the maturity of AI (artificial intelligence) technology, coupled with big data and machine deep learning, AI has been widely used in the financial and medical fields.
In the retirement market, smart robot banking can now be used to assist in retirement planning, and AI and the Internet of Things can be used to improve health management and long-term care needs.
In addition, there are currently insufficient health care personnel and uneven distribution of medical resources around the world, and users ’ health risks are predicted through the Internet of Things and mobile devices.
It can help doctors make more accurate diagnosis and treatment from a large number of medical records; help the elderly to live independently through automated means of transportation, such as preparing meals, assisting in changing clothes, and maintaining their social participation; and track the physical condition and activity of the elderly through mobile devices to ensure the physical condition of the elderly and provide immediate emergency medical assistance.
(Image provided by the author)
The wisdom and development of aging from nothing to have, from there to excellent, from excellent to refined three stages.
In the future, how to apply big data and artificial intelligence to elderly care services, the most important thing is people-oriented.
Let the elderly feel emotional care, this is a high-quality aging life.
The content of the signed and / or unsigned articles published by Economic Times is the author's personal opinion and does not represent the position of Economic Times, and the role of Economic Times is to provide a free speech platform.
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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Some companion robots include localized voice functions and simple conversational capabilities to greet and talk with elderly users.

Title:

Content: Accompanying and Conversation: Aging Technology for the Needs of the Elderly Living Alone
Celebrity Meeting 19: 01 2022 / 12 / 06
Share:
Share:
Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Community Chest Walk on the Cross Bay Bridge in Tseung Kwan O.
It was a beautiful day, and I was delighted to see the participation of many different sectors of the community as I walked along the beautiful bay.
It is gratifying to see that many families are willing to accompany the elderly and help the elderly to complete the 6km journey together. This is the convenience and benefit of the elderly at home.
Seeing the enthusiastic atmosphere of the event, it reminded me of the "Elderly Technology Exhibition" held at the Wan Chai Convention and Exhibition earlier this month.
Many young caregivers brought their elderly friends to visit, and they were excited to discover what age-appropriate products and services were available to help them age at home.
At the same time, my company also participated in the exhibition, and I had the opportunity to talk with many of the caregivers who came to visit and listen to their voices, which not only provided us with valuable suggestions, but also gave us new creative inspiration.
For innovative companies of our type, participation in these exhibitions is very useful, allowing us to better grasp the market pulse and more effectively provide the right products and services to consumers.
In this exhibition, I saw a variety of robots of different sizes and sizes. The most impressive one is the “companion robot ” that can communicate with people and has Cantonese voice function. Although there is still much room for improvement in speaking fluency and conversational content, this robot has been able to bring positive effects to some elderly people living alone and elderly couples.
According to the 2016 Population By-census of the Census and Statistics Department, the number of elderly people living alone rose by more than 50% in the previous decade to more than 150,000 households.
There are many reasons why elderly people become independent, and it is difficult to understand them all. However, it is certain that the support provided by the relevant community services is not ideal at present, and it is only at the initial stage.
Individual community centres provide escort services, but may not take care of their emotional problems. There are also volunteer groups that regularly visit elderly people living alone, but the number of visits is often limited due to insufficient manpower costs.
In the case of the epidemic still exists, many elderly people living alone have rarely gone out for leisure, and there is a long-term lack of dialogue and communication with people, and slowly their ability to speak may also deteriorate.
If you use the "companion robot" to simply greet and talk with the elderly living alone, they can receive timely care, create a sense of survival, relieve the loneliness of the heart, so that the big and small emotions can be expressed, which will help alleviate the pressure of the caregiver to a certain extent.
The author ’ s company has just been recognized as a partner of the “Jockey Club Elderly Friendly Housing Project ”, which is organized by the Hong Kong Society for the Elderly and donated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
We hope that we can use the project to integrate Age Technology with property management companies and housing estates. We are also actively considering the feasibility of introducing “companion robots ”.
About the author _ Adam Zhou:
The founder of Guardman ® brand, based on technology and quality, has developed, designed and produced a series of innovative value intelligent products such as safety system for the elderly and wireless home care for the elderly, serving the elderly in Hong Kong and Europe and the United States.
We are committed to making humanistic technology a solid support for the safety of the elderly at home. We provide convenience and assistance solutions to promote the concept of “aging at home ” and give back to the community.
Click here for more articles on caring for the elderly.
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Companion robots are being discussed and integrated within broader eldercare technology systems such as ambient assisted living, tele-rehabilitation, and smart-home solutions.

Researchers propose designing robots to behave like dogs by emphasizing communication, predictable reactions, physical signs of attachment, enthusiasm, joint activities, intimacy, and adaptability to recreate animal-like companionship.

Title:

Content: Robots in the future will serve as a dog for the elderly or lonely people – scientists
Robots that in the future will support the elderly or lonely, should build relationships with the owner not as people, but as dogs.
In the future, this concept will be applied by developers.
Scientists from the University of Glasgow have made relevant conclusions based on new research.
This is reported on September 29 in the magazine PLOS ONE.
Scottish researchers surveyed more than 150 dog breeders and found that there are seven of the most commonly cited factors most closely related to animals.
These include the ability to communicate, the predictability of reactions, the physical signs of attachment, a positive, sometimes even enthusiastic approach, a propensity for joint activities, a sense of intimacy and, finally, the ability to adapt to each other.
Perhaps robots that behave this way will be approved.
The researchers suggest that embedding this type of behavior into robot software will allow them to provide their owners with the same experience and health benefits as friendship with a real animal, without the attendant responsibilities.
This will allow the technique to be used effectively.
"Our approach has allowed us to gain knowledge about the factors that make people so enjoy the company of dogs.
Although it will not be easy to recreate such behavior in robots, it can help in creating friendships for wards, ” the authors said.
In the next phase of the study, a team led by Katie Riddock intends to conduct tests involving humans and robots behaving like dogs.
An additional topic of study may also be the dependence of preferences of different types of dog behavior depending on the age, origin and environment of specific people.
Earlier, Cursor reported that engineers have created a robot that searches for lost things.
The system uses visual information from video cameras, as well as radio private signals, so it is highly efficient.
Read the latest news from Israel and the world on the Kursor channel in Telegram.
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Scottish researchers believe what will provide benefits to owners of robotic dogs without accompanying responsibilities?

The AI Cloud plan allows robotic dog Aibo to do what?

make interactions increasingly personal and unique

What are some of the behaviors Scottish researchers identified in dogs to incorporate in robotic dogs?

reaction predictability
signs of affection
a tendency to share activities

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What should a guide dog's role include in addition to guiding a person?

Commentators and studies report that AI companions can offer nonjudgmental, 24/7 availability, simulated empathy, and may help people with social anxiety or serve as a practice ground for social interaction.

In eldercare settings, companion robots have been used to provide social contact, timely greetings, and a sense of presence that can relieve loneliness and reduce caregiver pressure.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

AI robots are being explored as tools in dementia care and for people with cognitive impairment as part of efforts to address staff shortages and provide mental-health support.

Title:

Content: AI robot takes care of the mentally retarded and heals the mind
Overcome the shortage of nursing staff, relieve the pressure of family carers
Executive Edition 2022 / 10 / 18
Share:
Share:
Various localities have gradually adopted technology to alleviate the challenges brought about by the aging of the population, and have invested in the research and development of Elderly Technology.
In addition to providing solutions to the disability problem of the elderly, another issue of social concern is dementia (also known as cognitive impairment).
A research team from Denmark recently pointed out that AI robots on the market can be applied to cooperatively
It's...
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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Researchers have suggested that embedding dog-like behaviors in robots might allow owners to receive similar experience and health benefits as friendship with a real animal while reducing responsibility for care.

Scottish researchers believe what will provide benefits to owners of robotic dogs without accompanying responsibilities?

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

Why would the elderly opt for a robotic pet as a friend?

Public attitudes are mixed: some users report strong emotional attachment to chatbots and robots, while experts warn of risks including withdrawal from real relationships, reduced social skills, and unrealistic expectations about human relationships.

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Content: A video.
Can humans fall in love with artificial intelligence robots?
16 July 2024, 8: 52 am
AI-powered chatbots, such as Siri and Alexa, have become popular as virtual assistants, but a new type of humanoid chatbot has emerged that interacts via text, voice and images, offering personalized romantic and even sexual experiences.
With the development of artificial intelligence technology, chatbots have become more realistic and attractive, causing some to worry that users may fall in love with them.
Preliminary studies suggest that interacting with chatbots can be fun and emotionally exciting, with some users feeling a stronger emotional attachment to chatbots than to humans.
Experts say falling in love with an artificial intelligence robot carries potential risks, including hindering social skills in developing real relationships.
Easy access to chatbots and their constant companionship can lead to withdrawal from real social relationships.
In addition, chatbots provide unrealistic expectations about romantic relationships, which can hinder a person ’ s ability to form healthy relationships with humans.
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Content: 20: 26, 04 April 2023
2 min.
People may well start a relationship with artificial intelligence.
And here 's why
This scientific research proves
Once upon a time, online dating was talked about with distrust.
But now they have become quite commonplace.
And thanks to the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, something similar can happen in terms of relations with machines equipped with artificial intelligence.
Photo: WSJ
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be equipped with both physical robots and chatbots.
The researchers tried to find out what forms of friendship, love, sex people are able to experience with machines with AI, as well as what specifically encourages people to create such relationships at all.
It is believed that lonely people are likely to turn to AI in search of romantic and sexual pleasure.
But studies show that this is not the case.
The willingness to use sex robots is associated to a greater extent with a person ’ s sexual preferences and search for sensations.
In other words, some people consider this option because they want to get a new experience, a new sexual experience.
And people, as studies show, are finding many uses for AI.
They can serve as companions, therapists.
That is, in general, people are drawn to machines with artificial intelligence for various reasons.
However, scientists are only beginning to understand how the relationship with machines is different from communicating with living people.
The Ambient
One of the advantages of romantic and sexual artificial intelligence systems is their therapeutic value.
For example, sex robots can help disabled or elderly people explore their sexuality.
But there is very little research into such activities.
Some of the earlier scientific studies show that people get roughly the same pleasure from having sex with a human and with a chatbot.
There is also no doubt that we can form a deep attachment to artificial intelligence.
That is, we can really perceive the virtual assistant as a friend, a romantic partner, etc.
Partners news
Partners news

Ethical concerns raised in the literature include attachment to nonconscious entities, the potential for AI companions to worsen social isolation if they substitute for human contact, and the need for developer transparency to avoid exploiting vulnerable users.

Authors and commentators note there is limited rigorous research on the long-term effects of human-AI companionship and on claimed therapeutic uses, including sexual or romantic applications for disabled or elderly people.

In Hong Kong, census data cited in coverage show the number of elderly people living alone rose by more than 50% in the prior decade to over 150,000 households, motivating interest in companion technologies.

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Some community and housing projects are actively considering or piloting companion-robot introductions as part of elderly-friendly housing initiatives.

Overall, current products range from chatbots and holographic avatars to lifelike humanoid robots and robot pets, and they are used for social interaction, emotional support, therapeutic assistance, and integration into eldercare technology systems, while raising important ethical and research questions.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Conclusion: Robotic pet companions and AI companions can offer accessible social and emotional support for older or lonely adults, but evidence on long-term benefits and risks is limited and ethical concerns about replacing real animals or human contact remain active and unresolved.


LiveJournal combined blogging and social-networking features inspired by the WELL and served as a site for keeping up with school friends.

It was part of the early social-networking wave alongside SixDegrees, Friendster, and MySpace.

Those early services were frequently disrupted or surpassed by later platforms in a rapidly changing internet landscape.

LiveJournal used a visible rating system that responded to reads, comments, and likes, according to a Russian commentator reporting on LJ behavior.

The commentator reported that LiveJournal introduced censorship, canceled anonymous names, and revised rating behavior after the war began, reducing some users' ratings and visibility.

The provided context does not include information about Brad Fitzpatrick's role in creating LiveJournal, nor does it provide peak account numbers or a full explanation of LiveJournal's decline.

Conclusion: The documents show LiveJournal combined blogging and social features and later imposed censorship and removed anonymous names, but they do not provide Brad Fitzpatrick’s origin story or peak user counts.

LiveJournal combined blogging and social-networking features inspired by the WELL and served as a site for keeping up with school friends.

Title:

Content: Regulators Seem to Think That Facebook Is the Internet

That’s a problem.

In 1997, SixDegrees.com was the first real attempt at social networking, creating a space where users could upload their information and list their friends. The site peaked at approximately 3.5 million users before it shut down in 1999.

Since then, a series of social networking business models have emerged, each time offering more advanced tools for user interaction. LiveJournal, a site for keeping up with school friends, combined blogging and social networking features inspired by the WELL; Friendster was a social network that allowed for increased interaction and control by users; Myspace had open membership and gave users the freedom to customize their pages. In 2005, it—and its 25 million user base—was sold to News Corp. But within three years, Myspace had been surpassed by Facebook, which launched in 2004 for college students and opened to everyone in 2006.

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As that history shows, in the early days of the internet, disruption was profound and constant: New companies emerged in music, video, e-commerce, publishing, and telephony on an almost yearly basis. The internet appeared to be a space where competition could thrive.

Not anymore.

Today, disruption happens in much smaller ways. The examples are getting fewer because economies of scale have concentrated innovation in the hands of a few players.

More often, disruption comes from regulation—for better or, often, for worse. Current regulation attempts focus on the actions and behavior of some actors—chiefly Facebook—while creating unintended consequences for the internet, particularly fragmentation, or the splintering of the global internet into one that more closely hews territorial borders.

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It’s understandable that both the public and regulators might think that regulating “the internet” means focusing on the biggest players. Much of it has to do with the fact that users are often exposed to various types of illegal behavior and content through some of the most popular services that exist on the internet. Fix misinformation, or extremism, or ideological silos, or security on Facebook, the thinking goes, and you’ve fixed it on the internet as a whole.

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But this is an unhelpful and misguided narrative. First, the internet is not a monolith, so treating it as if it is simply will not work. Second, many of the issues regulators are trying to address are not internet problems; they are societal. Terrorism, child abuse, and mis- and disinformation are not an offspring of the internet; they existed before the internet, and they will continue to exist after it as they are ingrained in human societies. Yet, they are treated as if they are exclusively internet problems. Third, and most importantly, regulators should stop thinking of the internet as Facebook and treating it as such. In the internet regulatory landscape, there is a mixed bag of different issues, and Facebook’s involvement in all of them, direct or indirect, adds to the current complexity. Content moderation, privacy, intermediary liability, competition, encryption—these are all broader issues related to the internet, not just Facebook. Yet, the pattern that has emerged is to treat them as Facebook issues. What this means is that, instead of focusing on trying to address them in ways appropriate for the entire internet ecosystem, they are addressed through the Facebook lens. This has been quite accurately characterized as the “Facebook Derangement Syndrome.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

The global regulatory agenda is replete with such examples. In the United Kingdom, the Online Safety legislation wants to ban end-to-end encryption because of Facebook’s plan to introduce it as a default setting in its Messenger service. On the other side of the Commonwealth, Australia recently introduced a media bargaining code mainly targeting Facebook. Facebook famously “left” the country before renegotiating a new agreement. Similarly, in what seems to be a coordinated effort, Canada has vowed to work with Australia in an attempt to impose regulatory restrictions on Facebook.

And this trend is not limited to the Commonwealth.

India’s new intermediary guidelines aim at tightening a regulatory grip on Facebook and its partner company WhatsApp while Brazil’s fake news bill, which got approved by the Senate, is focusing on content moderation on Facebook and traceability on WhatsApp. In France, there have been conversations about the introduction of “new rules” for Facebook, while Germany’s Network Enforcement Law—NetzDG—was drafted with the primary focus of taming Facebook. Finally, in the United States, the Trump administration issued an unsuccessful executive order that aimed to regulate Facebook for bias.

Advertisement

This approach of limiting regulation to Facebook is not entirely unusual. It reflects the principal-agent conundrum that, over the years, has allowed companies like Facebook to  propose policies and deploy tools that can have an impact on the way regulation gets to be enforced. The principal-agent problem is predominantly characterized by conflict of interest and moral hazards. Due to information asymmetries, the agent holds the bargaining power, and this creates a few unknowns: The principal is in no position to know the information the agent holds. Even when she does, she cannot be certain that the agent is acting to her best interest. So, the principal ends up focusing squarely on the agent, disregarding any peripheral issues that might be significant.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The principal-agent problem may help explain why governments appear ready to introduce regulation targeting Facebook; however, it does not help explain why, in the process of doing so, the main loser is the internet and its users.

Over the past couple of years, Facebook has said, “We support regulation,” and “we want updated internet regulations to set clear guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges.” This statement would be significant if it did not come across as self-serving. At this stage, regulation is inescapable and Facebook knows it—as does the rest of big tech. In an effort to adapt to this new reality, companies often take advantage of their dominant position to drive regulatory processes, often at the expense of regulation itself.

Advertisement

In this context, the question we should be asking is not whether regulation is appropriate, but what are the real implications of regulating in such a manner? There is already an argument that focusing on a few, big players has an impact on the health of innovation and the ability of newcomers to compete. And, then, there is the internet. The internet’s global reach is one of its main strengths. It is a feature, not a bug. Among other things, it allows the maintenance of supply chains all over the world; it allows people to communicate; it lowers costs; and it makes information sharing easier, all the while helping to address societal issues like poverty or climate change.

Advertisement
Advertisement

To this end, the attempt to regulate based on one—or a handful—of companies can jeopardize this very important goal of the internet. It can create fragmentation, in the sense of not allowing data to flow across borders or networks to interconnect, and this can be very real and have a very big impact. It can impose limits on the way information and data gets to be shared and the way networks may interoperate. These are significant trade-offs, and they must be part of any regulation’s process.

Advertisement

So where do we go from here?

For sure, the answer cannot be to stop regulating. We must accept, however, that the current approach often generates unintended consequences that only superficially affect those who must be regulated.

In this light, a possible way forward is to experiment with regulation. Experimental regulation is a relatively underused approach, yet it is flexible enough to accommodate dynamic markets, like the internet. Originally associated with the work of John Dewey, this idea is premised on the fact that, in policymaking, the way we approach theories and strategies of justice depends on “the experience of their pursuit; it is these changes that then allow us to consider how best to achieve our objectives.” The advantage of this thinking is that it considers unintended consequences as an opportunity to better define appropriate regulatory frameworks and how to achieve the desired goals.

Advertisement

Internet regulation does not experiment enough, and when it does, it appears to have the wrong focus. In Australia, for instance, the effort to ensure robust journalism in an age of disinformation in social media platforms led to a “link tax” that undermines the architecture, history, and economics of the internet. This is partly due to the role big tech companies play in the regulatory process. One of the immediate things one can observe with internet regulation is the process some actors deploy: In the beginning, they operate in favor of sustaining existing policies and bureaucracies. The thinking is that longevity brings legitimacy, and as a result, the policy becomes its own cause. Once this strategy is embedded in process, these powerful forces move toward pushing their own regulatory agenda.

Advertisement

It is for this reason that there is a certain appeal toward flexible regulatory systems that allow different units to experiment with different approaches and make room for assessments that separate the relevant from the nonrelevant and preexisting rules. Although experimentation neither offers a drastic approach nor aims to replace traditional routes of regulation, it can limit the risks of politicization, as politics become more context focused.

One of the first things we need is an internet impact assessment that looks at the different parts of the internet’s infrastructure and the effect that regulation may have. It is no longer just about regulating a few actors. It is about protecting the global infrastructure that we all depend on daily.

The internet has a Facebook problem, but the internet is not Facebook.

This article represents the views of the author and not those of his employer, the Internet Society. Facebook is an organization member of the Internet Society.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.

Advertisement

It was part of the early social-networking wave alongside SixDegrees, Friendster, and MySpace.

Those early services were frequently disrupted or surpassed by later platforms in a rapidly changing internet landscape.

LiveJournal used a visible rating system that responded to reads, comments, and likes, according to a Russian commentator reporting on LJ behavior.

Title:

Content: Opinion: Rating in Russian
27.05.2022, 22: 21, Miscellaneous
Subscribe to Telegram channel
Subscribe to Google News
Starting from February 24, interesting metamorphoses occur with my LJ rating (trifle, but unpleasant).
LiveJournal, apparently, defined me as an “unreliable ” user – and therefore he is just monotonically declining.
Of course, the principle of forming LiveJournal ratings has always remained a terrible military and commercial secret, but the general principle could be caught: if you are read a lot, your posts have a lot of comments and likes, the rating increases; if you read a little, there are no comments, or you do not write anything at all, the rating decreases.
It's kind of simple.
But with the beginning of the war, LiveJournal not only introduced censorship and canceled anonymous names, but also, it seems, revised the principle of rating.
Now the “unreliable ” users ratings simply decline no matter what.
I noticed it back in April – when on one of the posts (about AvtoVAZ) there was almost a record attendance – 75 thousand per day, about 1000 comments – and the rating, as if nothing had happened, continued to decline.
I am almost certain that the LJ algorithm has a restriction, according to which it by default believes that “Shoemaker writes nothing ”; accordingly, every day my personal rating gradually dries up, although I still have, even in conditions of censorship and general militaristic insanity, extremely“ fruitful ” posts.
All this is understandable – LJ, while he was “in the shadows ” and outside the attention of the“ ideologists ” of the regime, lovingly debugged his mechanisms of work and brought them almost to perfection, but when censors and censorship came, it breaks everything down in a few months, since the mechanisms were made with an emphasis on the objectivity of measurements, and no objectivity of ideology is needed.
I just don ’ t understand why it ’ s so half-hearted.
With other "unreliable" treated much cooler.
Kungurov was simply squeezed out of LiveJournal, Nikonov was squeezed out, Mitrich ’ s rating was simply halved in one fell swoop, Alex Rozoff was driven somewhere in the end of the first rating hundred (although his posts are read and discussed in the same way, if not more than before the sad Free Date) – and my rating is just slowly and sadly “blown away ” (about minus 8 thousand points), and almost ceased to include posts in the Top.
The only thing is that I ’ m treated about the same as El Murid: he ’ s also “slowly and sadly ” losing in the rankings, although his posts are read almost more than mine (but since we have the same rate of fall in the“ they write nothing ” mode, I can ’ t fall lower than him).
These are the ratings quirks.
Source: Reflections of a Free Sociologist
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How is a writer on LiveJournal ostensibly rated reliable?

The commentator reported that LiveJournal introduced censorship, canceled anonymous names, and revised rating behavior after the war began, reducing some users' ratings and visibility.

What happened at the start of an unspecified war? (probably the war on Ukraine)

Anonymous posters were removed
Censorship was instituted

What happened when censorship was instituted on LiveJournal?

Objective rating mechanism was destroyed

The provided context does not include information about Brad Fitzpatrick's role in creating LiveJournal, nor does it provide peak account numbers or a full explanation of LiveJournal's decline.

Conclusion: The documents show LiveJournal combined blogging and social features and later imposed censorship and removed anonymous names, but they do not provide Brad Fitzpatrick’s origin story or peak user counts.


LiveJournal was described as a site for keeping up with school friends.

LiveJournal combined blogging and social‑networking features inspired by the WELL.

LiveJournal was mentioned in the context of early social‑networking history alongside sites such as SixDegrees, Friendster, and MySpace.

A Russian‑language account in the provided documents reports that, with the beginning of the war, LiveJournal introduced censorship and canceled anonymous names.

That account states LiveJournal revised its rating principles so that users labeled as 'unreliable' saw their ratings decline steadily even when posts had high readership and many comments.

The same account reports that some users were effectively pushed out or had ratings sharply reduced, naming specific examples including Kungurov, Nikonov, Mitrich, Alex Rozoff, and El Murid.

The account also says that LiveJournal's earlier rating and measurement mechanisms had been built with an emphasis on objectivity before the censorship changes disrupted them.

The provided documents do not include information about Brad Fitzpatrick or the specific origin story of transforming a personal journaling application into a public LiveJournal website.

The provided documents do not state the claimed peak figure of more than 2.5 million active accounts in early 2005 or other explicit peak user statistics for LiveJournal.

Summary: From the provided sources, LiveJournal is presented as a friend‑oriented site that combined blogging and social‑network features, and later reporting indicates that censorship, removal of anonymity, and changes to rating algorithms negatively affected some users and visibility; the documents do not provide details about Brad Fitzpatrick or the specific peak user number you mentioned.

LiveJournal was described as a site for keeping up with school friends.

Title:

Content: Regulators Seem to Think That Facebook Is the Internet

That’s a problem.

In 1997, SixDegrees.com was the first real attempt at social networking, creating a space where users could upload their information and list their friends. The site peaked at approximately 3.5 million users before it shut down in 1999.

Since then, a series of social networking business models have emerged, each time offering more advanced tools for user interaction. LiveJournal, a site for keeping up with school friends, combined blogging and social networking features inspired by the WELL; Friendster was a social network that allowed for increased interaction and control by users; Myspace had open membership and gave users the freedom to customize their pages. In 2005, it—and its 25 million user base—was sold to News Corp. But within three years, Myspace had been surpassed by Facebook, which launched in 2004 for college students and opened to everyone in 2006.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

As that history shows, in the early days of the internet, disruption was profound and constant: New companies emerged in music, video, e-commerce, publishing, and telephony on an almost yearly basis. The internet appeared to be a space where competition could thrive.

Not anymore.

Today, disruption happens in much smaller ways. The examples are getting fewer because economies of scale have concentrated innovation in the hands of a few players.

More often, disruption comes from regulation—for better or, often, for worse. Current regulation attempts focus on the actions and behavior of some actors—chiefly Facebook—while creating unintended consequences for the internet, particularly fragmentation, or the splintering of the global internet into one that more closely hews territorial borders.

Advertisement

It’s understandable that both the public and regulators might think that regulating “the internet” means focusing on the biggest players. Much of it has to do with the fact that users are often exposed to various types of illegal behavior and content through some of the most popular services that exist on the internet. Fix misinformation, or extremism, or ideological silos, or security on Facebook, the thinking goes, and you’ve fixed it on the internet as a whole.

Advertisement

But this is an unhelpful and misguided narrative. First, the internet is not a monolith, so treating it as if it is simply will not work. Second, many of the issues regulators are trying to address are not internet problems; they are societal. Terrorism, child abuse, and mis- and disinformation are not an offspring of the internet; they existed before the internet, and they will continue to exist after it as they are ingrained in human societies. Yet, they are treated as if they are exclusively internet problems. Third, and most importantly, regulators should stop thinking of the internet as Facebook and treating it as such. In the internet regulatory landscape, there is a mixed bag of different issues, and Facebook’s involvement in all of them, direct or indirect, adds to the current complexity. Content moderation, privacy, intermediary liability, competition, encryption—these are all broader issues related to the internet, not just Facebook. Yet, the pattern that has emerged is to treat them as Facebook issues. What this means is that, instead of focusing on trying to address them in ways appropriate for the entire internet ecosystem, they are addressed through the Facebook lens. This has been quite accurately characterized as the “Facebook Derangement Syndrome.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

The global regulatory agenda is replete with such examples. In the United Kingdom, the Online Safety legislation wants to ban end-to-end encryption because of Facebook’s plan to introduce it as a default setting in its Messenger service. On the other side of the Commonwealth, Australia recently introduced a media bargaining code mainly targeting Facebook. Facebook famously “left” the country before renegotiating a new agreement. Similarly, in what seems to be a coordinated effort, Canada has vowed to work with Australia in an attempt to impose regulatory restrictions on Facebook.

And this trend is not limited to the Commonwealth.

India’s new intermediary guidelines aim at tightening a regulatory grip on Facebook and its partner company WhatsApp while Brazil’s fake news bill, which got approved by the Senate, is focusing on content moderation on Facebook and traceability on WhatsApp. In France, there have been conversations about the introduction of “new rules” for Facebook, while Germany’s Network Enforcement Law—NetzDG—was drafted with the primary focus of taming Facebook. Finally, in the United States, the Trump administration issued an unsuccessful executive order that aimed to regulate Facebook for bias.

Advertisement

This approach of limiting regulation to Facebook is not entirely unusual. It reflects the principal-agent conundrum that, over the years, has allowed companies like Facebook to  propose policies and deploy tools that can have an impact on the way regulation gets to be enforced. The principal-agent problem is predominantly characterized by conflict of interest and moral hazards. Due to information asymmetries, the agent holds the bargaining power, and this creates a few unknowns: The principal is in no position to know the information the agent holds. Even when she does, she cannot be certain that the agent is acting to her best interest. So, the principal ends up focusing squarely on the agent, disregarding any peripheral issues that might be significant.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The principal-agent problem may help explain why governments appear ready to introduce regulation targeting Facebook; however, it does not help explain why, in the process of doing so, the main loser is the internet and its users.

Over the past couple of years, Facebook has said, “We support regulation,” and “we want updated internet regulations to set clear guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges.” This statement would be significant if it did not come across as self-serving. At this stage, regulation is inescapable and Facebook knows it—as does the rest of big tech. In an effort to adapt to this new reality, companies often take advantage of their dominant position to drive regulatory processes, often at the expense of regulation itself.

Advertisement

In this context, the question we should be asking is not whether regulation is appropriate, but what are the real implications of regulating in such a manner? There is already an argument that focusing on a few, big players has an impact on the health of innovation and the ability of newcomers to compete. And, then, there is the internet. The internet’s global reach is one of its main strengths. It is a feature, not a bug. Among other things, it allows the maintenance of supply chains all over the world; it allows people to communicate; it lowers costs; and it makes information sharing easier, all the while helping to address societal issues like poverty or climate change.

Advertisement
Advertisement

To this end, the attempt to regulate based on one—or a handful—of companies can jeopardize this very important goal of the internet. It can create fragmentation, in the sense of not allowing data to flow across borders or networks to interconnect, and this can be very real and have a very big impact. It can impose limits on the way information and data gets to be shared and the way networks may interoperate. These are significant trade-offs, and they must be part of any regulation’s process.

Advertisement

So where do we go from here?

For sure, the answer cannot be to stop regulating. We must accept, however, that the current approach often generates unintended consequences that only superficially affect those who must be regulated.

In this light, a possible way forward is to experiment with regulation. Experimental regulation is a relatively underused approach, yet it is flexible enough to accommodate dynamic markets, like the internet. Originally associated with the work of John Dewey, this idea is premised on the fact that, in policymaking, the way we approach theories and strategies of justice depends on “the experience of their pursuit; it is these changes that then allow us to consider how best to achieve our objectives.” The advantage of this thinking is that it considers unintended consequences as an opportunity to better define appropriate regulatory frameworks and how to achieve the desired goals.

Advertisement

Internet regulation does not experiment enough, and when it does, it appears to have the wrong focus. In Australia, for instance, the effort to ensure robust journalism in an age of disinformation in social media platforms led to a “link tax” that undermines the architecture, history, and economics of the internet. This is partly due to the role big tech companies play in the regulatory process. One of the immediate things one can observe with internet regulation is the process some actors deploy: In the beginning, they operate in favor of sustaining existing policies and bureaucracies. The thinking is that longevity brings legitimacy, and as a result, the policy becomes its own cause. Once this strategy is embedded in process, these powerful forces move toward pushing their own regulatory agenda.

Advertisement

It is for this reason that there is a certain appeal toward flexible regulatory systems that allow different units to experiment with different approaches and make room for assessments that separate the relevant from the nonrelevant and preexisting rules. Although experimentation neither offers a drastic approach nor aims to replace traditional routes of regulation, it can limit the risks of politicization, as politics become more context focused.

One of the first things we need is an internet impact assessment that looks at the different parts of the internet’s infrastructure and the effect that regulation may have. It is no longer just about regulating a few actors. It is about protecting the global infrastructure that we all depend on daily.

The internet has a Facebook problem, but the internet is not Facebook.

This article represents the views of the author and not those of his employer, the Internet Society. Facebook is an organization member of the Internet Society.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.

Advertisement

LiveJournal combined blogging and social‑networking features inspired by the WELL.

LiveJournal was mentioned in the context of early social‑networking history alongside sites such as SixDegrees, Friendster, and MySpace.

A Russian‑language account in the provided documents reports that, with the beginning of the war, LiveJournal introduced censorship and canceled anonymous names.

Title:

Content: Opinion: Rating in Russian
27.05.2022, 22: 21, Miscellaneous
Subscribe to Telegram channel
Subscribe to Google News
Starting from February 24, interesting metamorphoses occur with my LJ rating (trifle, but unpleasant).
LiveJournal, apparently, defined me as an “unreliable ” user – and therefore he is just monotonically declining.
Of course, the principle of forming LiveJournal ratings has always remained a terrible military and commercial secret, but the general principle could be caught: if you are read a lot, your posts have a lot of comments and likes, the rating increases; if you read a little, there are no comments, or you do not write anything at all, the rating decreases.
It's kind of simple.
But with the beginning of the war, LiveJournal not only introduced censorship and canceled anonymous names, but also, it seems, revised the principle of rating.
Now the “unreliable ” users ratings simply decline no matter what.
I noticed it back in April – when on one of the posts (about AvtoVAZ) there was almost a record attendance – 75 thousand per day, about 1000 comments – and the rating, as if nothing had happened, continued to decline.
I am almost certain that the LJ algorithm has a restriction, according to which it by default believes that “Shoemaker writes nothing ”; accordingly, every day my personal rating gradually dries up, although I still have, even in conditions of censorship and general militaristic insanity, extremely“ fruitful ” posts.
All this is understandable – LJ, while he was “in the shadows ” and outside the attention of the“ ideologists ” of the regime, lovingly debugged his mechanisms of work and brought them almost to perfection, but when censors and censorship came, it breaks everything down in a few months, since the mechanisms were made with an emphasis on the objectivity of measurements, and no objectivity of ideology is needed.
I just don ’ t understand why it ’ s so half-hearted.
With other "unreliable" treated much cooler.
Kungurov was simply squeezed out of LiveJournal, Nikonov was squeezed out, Mitrich ’ s rating was simply halved in one fell swoop, Alex Rozoff was driven somewhere in the end of the first rating hundred (although his posts are read and discussed in the same way, if not more than before the sad Free Date) – and my rating is just slowly and sadly “blown away ” (about minus 8 thousand points), and almost ceased to include posts in the Top.
The only thing is that I ’ m treated about the same as El Murid: he ’ s also “slowly and sadly ” losing in the rankings, although his posts are read almost more than mine (but since we have the same rate of fall in the“ they write nothing ” mode, I can ’ t fall lower than him).
These are the ratings quirks.
Source: Reflections of a Free Sociologist
View commentsNo comments
Privacy Policy - GDPR
Site map →
For information cooperation, advertising and publication of ads, write to the address: [email protected]
Support the project:
UMoney- 410011013132383
WebMoney – Z399334682366, E296477880853, X100503068090
18 + © 2002-2021 RYBINSKonLine: All you wanted to know...

What happened at the start of an unspecified war? (probably the war on Ukraine)

Anonymous posters were removed
Censorship was instituted

That account states LiveJournal revised its rating principles so that users labeled as 'unreliable' saw their ratings decline steadily even when posts had high readership and many comments.

What happened when censorship was instituted on LiveJournal?

Objective rating mechanism was destroyed

The same account reports that some users were effectively pushed out or had ratings sharply reduced, naming specific examples including Kungurov, Nikonov, Mitrich, Alex Rozoff, and El Murid.

What happened when censorship was instituted on LiveJournal?

Objective rating mechanism was destroyed

The account also says that LiveJournal's earlier rating and measurement mechanisms had been built with an emphasis on objectivity before the censorship changes disrupted them.

What happened when censorship was instituted on LiveJournal?

Objective rating mechanism was destroyed

The provided documents do not include information about Brad Fitzpatrick or the specific origin story of transforming a personal journaling application into a public LiveJournal website.

The provided documents do not state the claimed peak figure of more than 2.5 million active accounts in early 2005 or other explicit peak user statistics for LiveJournal.

Summary: From the provided sources, LiveJournal is presented as a friend‑oriented site that combined blogging and social‑network features, and later reporting indicates that censorship, removal of anonymity, and changes to rating algorithms negatively affected some users and visibility; the documents do not provide details about Brad Fitzpatrick or the specific peak user number you mentioned.


Reports show drug shortages rose sharply in 2021–2024 and reached a record level in the United States in early 2024.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and related databases reported 323 active drug shortages in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2024.

Shortages affected many drug classes, with sterile injectable generics and chemotherapy drugs, emergency medicines, ADHD treatments, antimicrobials, hormonal agents, and IV fluids frequently cited.

Specific medicines named included Ozempic and Mounjaro, amoxicillin, adrenaline, Adderall, lidocaine, and paracetamol in Ireland.

Root causes cited were manufacturing and quality problems, supply‑chain gaps, factory closures, raw‑material shortages, industry consolidation, and surges in demand.

System and policy contributors included fragmented procurement, lack of supplier transparency, delayed payments, poor forecasting, and budget shortfalls.

Consequences included drug rationing or diversion of patients, higher prices for scarce alternatives, increased patient risk, and patients visiting multiple pharmacies.

Coping measures included switching to alternative strengths or brands, consulting pharmacists, checking national shortage lists, and using price‑finding apps or coupons.

Responses included manufacturers ramping up production for some drugs, proposals for federal funding, and calls for greater transparency and reporting.

Country reports linked shortages to procurement and budget management failures and recommended multi‑stakeholder solutions to ensure supply and patient safety.

Conclusion: Shortages between 2021 and early 2024 affected many essential medicines; monitor national shortage lists and work proactively with your pharmacist and GP for alternatives and early refills.

Reports show drug shortages rose sharply in 2021–2024 and reached a record level in the United States in early 2024.

Title:

Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
An Unexpected Catastrophe in the World ’ s Largest Country: The Complete Story of U.S. Drug Shortages
The deficit is at a record level.
According to data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service, organizations began tracking drug shortages for the first time in 2001. Steady since 2021 – now reaching a record high of 323 drugs in the first three months of 2024.
Paul Abramowitz, CEO of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, wrote in a blog post on Thursday: “It ’ s been a long time to end drug shortages, ” and wrote:“ All drug classes are vulnerable to shortages, some of the most worrisome shortages include sterile injectable generic drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency drugs stored in hospital vans and procedural areas. It is dangerous for doctors and patients. ”
In addition to the 32 chemotherapy drugs that are deficient, the five categories of drugs with the greatest deficiency include central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormonal agents, and intravenous fluids. [1] The Drug Deficiency Database maintained by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah is based on voluntary reports from practitioners, patients, and others that have been confirmed by manufacturers. The U.S. drug is in short supply, because it captures broader effects on service providers and patients.
The crisis has lasted a year and a half.
More than half of the treatment shortages have lasted for more than two years, according to an analysis by health consultancy IQVIA, and the average shortage affects at least half a million patients, many of them elderly, according to the US Office of Health and Human Services under the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, which shared its analysis with Congress in May.
Growing demand can play a role in drug shortages, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but often manufacturing and quality problems, such as supply chain gaps and downtime, are the root cause. And varied.
But the American Society of Health System Pharmacists has “serious concerns ” about parts of this proposal, especially financial sanctions imposed on hospitals that lack the resources to comply with the recommendations, Abramowitz wrote:“ We all know that managing shortages is not enough and is not a sustainable solution to the worsening crisis, and there is still a lot of work to be done at the federal level to fix the root causes of drug shortages. ”
Why Shortage Occurs
Shortages can be caused by high demand, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but this is not usually the main problem.
The FDA also blames manufacturing and quality problems, supply chain gaps, and downtime, and Dr. Emily Tucker, a drug shortage expert and an assistant professor of industrial engineering at Clemson University, says that when there is an indication of shortages, large health systems often also proactively place large orders, adding to the system ’ s stress.
“I don ’ t blame anyone.
“When I talk to all the stakeholders – whether it ’ s wholesalers, manufacturers, or the government – everyone wants this problem to end, ” she said.
Lack of transparency
Dr. Julie Grallo, chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, told the House Committee earlier that the shortage puts providers in a terrible position: “The drug shortage crisis is forcing providers to make impossible choices, and it is also hindering the development of new drugs. Health drugs are purchased only on a price basis, and manufacturers do not have to disclose the source of their acquisition of the ingredients.
The shortage of this generic chemical drug came due to the closure of one factory in India that manufactures the active ingredient after a surprise FDA inspection found “significant quality issues, ” says Jarallo:“ We didn ’ t know, and there was no transparency regarding the company ’ s supply of the majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients to all manufacturers across the board.
Knowing this in advance, we could have responded much faster, ” Dr. Steven Schundlemeyer, director of the PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy, which focuses on economic and management issues, told the committee that as with defense contractors in the United States, New Zealand requires manufacturers to disclose their suppliers, and that information is required.
Easily accessible in the database.
Related Topics

Title:

Content: Meitu
The first quarter of the United States serious drug shortage 323 drugs urgent cancer patients also have to be diverted and rationed!
CHU HENG NETWORK NEWS CENTER 2024-04-16 10: 42
According to the latest data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Utah Center for Drug Information Services, a total of 323 drugs in the United States were in severe shortages in the first quarter of this year, surpassing the record of 320 in 2014.
Among the drugs affected are the widely used diabetes drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro, the allergy treatment drug adrenaline, the common antibiotic amoxicillin for children, chemotherapy drugs and injections commonly used in hospitals in intensive care.
ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz said in a statement that almost all categories of drugs are facing shortages, with non-patented sterile injectable drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs, and emergency drugs stored in hospital emergency vans and operating areas, the shortage of such drugs is the most worrying.
According to the American Cancer Society, chemotherapy is one of the top five drugs most affected by the shortage, which threatens to have a devastating impact on patients, and some hospitals and clinics say doctors have had to divert patients to ration their medications because of a shortage of some chemotherapy drugs.
In addition, ASHP noted that the continued nationwide shortage of ADHD drugs is “a problem for clinicians and patients. ”
The shortage of popular drugs is even more acute, with Mounjaro, the diabetes drug known as the “slimming pill ”, already in dire straits.
In response, Lilly said that the “unprecedented surge in demand ” for Mounjaro and its similar drug Zepbound has led to a shortage in the market, which the company is struggling to cope with.
Lilly is ramping up investments to boost production at Mounjaro and Zepbound in the second half of 2024.
The company said it expects intermittent supply disruptions in the near term due to unprecedented demand.
How to cure the drug shortage
The last major “drug shortage ” in U.S. history occurred in 2014, and it has only been alleviated in the years since.
Since 2021, the drug shortage situation seems to be increasing, and scholars in the field of medical health and economics in the United States believe that the reason for most drug shortages in the United States is the fragmentation of the drug supply chain.
The White House this month proposed spending between $3.26 billion and $5.11 billion over the next decade to help address the nation ’ s drug shortage.
The bill requires approval and funding from the U.S. Congress.
U.S. researchers and policymakers believe that a complete solution to the “drug shortage ” may require changes to the business model of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, including measures to increase the price of generic drugs to attract more drug manufacturers.
Policymakers recommend giving the FDA more power to access more information about drug shortages and impending shortages.
Currently, the FDA relies primarily on phone calls to manufacturers asking if they can increase their supply to understand the situation.
The American Society of Health System Pharmacists said it is working with the federal government to advise the government on measures to address the drug shortage, including that Congress should require manufacturers to be more transparent on any supply chain issues and encourage more diversity in supply chains.
According to Abramowitz, “The federal government still has a lot of work to do to fundamentally address drug shortages, and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists will continue to engage regularly with policymakers to guide them in drafting and passing new legislation to address drug shortages and continue to advocate vigorously for proven solutions on behalf of our members. ”

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and related databases reported 323 active drug shortages in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2024.

Title:

Content: American Pharmacists Association Announces Record Shortages of All Types of Medicines in U.S.
World News
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The American Pharmacists Association has expressed concern about the record shortage of all types of drugs in the United States, calling on politicians to take action.
A statement posted on the association ’ s website said: “In the first half of this year, 323 active drug shortages were recorded.
It is a record higher than the previous record of 320 in 2014.
“At the federal level, significant work needs to be done to eliminate the root causes of drug shortages. ”
The statement added that particular concern was raised by the lack of sterile injectable drugs, including chemotherapy drugs for cancer and emergency medicines stored in hospital treatment rooms.
Another serious problem is the ongoing lack of treatment methods for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the country.
Source: Novosti
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Shortages affected many drug classes, with sterile injectable generics and chemotherapy drugs, emergency medicines, ADHD treatments, antimicrobials, hormonal agents, and IV fluids frequently cited.

Specific medicines named included Ozempic and Mounjaro, amoxicillin, adrenaline, Adderall, lidocaine, and paracetamol in Ireland.

Title:

Content: Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices

Reporter: Andryanna Sheppard
Published: Updated:
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Millions of people in the United States depend on prescription drugs to manage pain, treat medical conditions, and even to help them stay alive. However, the country’s drug shortage is making it hard for some people to get the medication they need or pay for the drugs that are available.

Federal Drug Administration data shows 90 percent of prescriptions in the US are for generic drugs. According to the National Institutes of Health, most prescription drugs involved in shortages are generic options.

There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s prescription drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.

Jessica Kahn’s two sons were diagnosed with ADD.

“I would say tricky, tricky to navigate,” Kahn described.

For the past year, Kahn said getting their medication has been frustrating.

“I have my list of all the pharmacies. I’ve even driven all the way up north to Walgreens or a CVS, some random place to go pick up a kids’ prescription,” Kahn added.

According to the FDA, prescription drug shortages are often linked to manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuations. Two drugs used in chemotherapy, Adderall, lidocaine, and amoxicillin are just a couple of the prescription medications on the shortage list.

When drug supplies are low, prices tend to increase. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there is a 16.6 percent increase in the price of drugs involved in a shortage. And in some cases, alternative drugs were priced at least three times higher.

“You got to be very conscientious that it might not be available and that it is not an option,” Kahn advised. “No matter how many places you call, it’s not there.”

Beating the prescription drug shortage

Health experts offer these tips:

  • Check the national drug shortage list for your medication and possible alternatives.
  • Don’t wait until your prescription is almost gone to refill it.
  • Check other pharmacies for availability and if you can’t find the generic version, look for coupons or programs that offer payment help. Some patients have reported that they receive additional help to reduce some prescription costs from $100 to $10, it’s not allowed if you are already on Medicare.
  • Websites and apps like GoodRX, RX Saver and WellRX can help you find the cheapest place that has your medication and coupons for it.

Contributors to this news report include: Lindsay Dailey, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.

Title:

Content: Ireland has been suffering a paracetamol shortage as cases of Covid-19 and the winter flu in the country soared over the festive and new year period.

The revelation was made by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly after his department received notification of a supply issue from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

It is understood the shortage impacted some prescription paracetamol products.

Read More:Irish people complain of ‘worst ever’ winter bug sweeping country that feels like Covid but isn’t

Two suppliers affected have stated that resupply will be sometime in January 2023.

However, there are other prescription paracetamol suppliers with some stock available on the shelves.

Paracetamol is one of the medicines used most often in Ireland and especially for the flu, aches and pain.

But Mr Donnelly pointed out that there are multiple forms of the drug with different strengths and brands available from various sources.

He said: "In the event that there are some supply issues for individual medicines, alternative options such as alternative strengths and brands, generic medicines will usually be available to ensure continuity of treatment.

"In some cases where the medicine initially prescribed for the patient is unavailable, patients may be switched to a suitable therapeutic alternative following appropriate consultation with a healthcare professional."

The Health Minister said medicine shortages have been increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade. The causes of such shortages are multifactorial including shortage of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties and industry consolidations.

He stated: "Medicine shortages can originate at any point in the supply chain. They can involve and impact many stakeholders in different ways as the supply models and clinical use of therapies can vary across national health systems.

"Management of medicines shortages necessitates a multi-faceted, multi stakeholder response to ensure patient safety , continuity of care and protection of public health.

"Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to temporary alternative products provided because of medical shortages are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare [professionals] involved in their care."

Mr Donnelly was responding to a number of written Dail questions on the shortage of medicines.

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Root causes cited were manufacturing and quality problems, supply‑chain gaps, factory closures, raw‑material shortages, industry consolidation, and surges in demand.

System and policy contributors included fragmented procurement, lack of supplier transparency, delayed payments, poor forecasting, and budget shortfalls.

Title:

Content: Lack of medicines in MOH hospitals and accumulation of indebtedness Repercussions / solutions
3 hours ago
Dr. Naeem Malkawi
The problem of shortage of medicines in Jordanian hospitals requires quick and effective attention and intervention, as providing medicines to patients is one of the foundations of quality health care and one of the most important strategies of the Ministry of Health, however, the shortage of medicines in many hospitals leads to health, economic and social challenges that threaten the quality of health care and patient safety.
The budget of the Ministry of Health of medicines, vaccines, vaccines and medical consumables for this year 2023 was estimated at 103.75 million dinars, where the actual for the past year 2022 was 93.8 million dinars.
The question is, how did the Ministry of Health accumulate such a large indebtedness in the item of medicines to reach 300 million dinars for pharmaceutical companies?
And why last week was the debt of 2019 cleared and deducted estimated at 50% of the debt for that year?
This means that there is still a delay in the payment of dues for companies for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 in addition to eight months of the current year 2023, and this brings us to a range of reasons and challenges:
1.
The aim of the Ministry of Health was to reduce the bureaucracy of procedures and overcome the complexity of procurement references in hospitals and health directorates in the governorates and not to obtain price and discount preferences, but the results indicate a defect in the management and mechanism of dealing with the strategy of unified and central procurement, despite the margin for hospital administrations to use the power of direct purchase in cases of necessity.
2.
Preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals: Evidence shows that there is a problem in the preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals and the main budget of the Ministry of Health with regard to the item of medicines, which is due to the lack of accurate and sufficient data on the number of patients and hospital needs of medicines, and the lack of accurate forecasting of future needs.
3.
Delays in the review of financial claims and invoices between the Ministry of Health and the hospitals on the one hand and the pharmaceutical companies on the other hand, is one of the most important reasons behind the accumulation of indebtedness, and this negatively affects the liquidity of the pharmaceutical companies and hinders them from providing a sustainable service in adhering to the procedures of supplying medicines according to schedule.
4.
Lack of coordination and communication: There may be a lack of coordination and communication between hospitals, the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies, which complicates the supply and distribution of medicines and increases the chances of delays and the depletion of medicines from hospitals in the absence of an effective policy for stock management and the time required for stock adequacy.
5.
Focusing on the trade names of certain drugs from specific production sources and not adopting the protocol of writing the scientific name for the prescriptions of patients.
6.
One of the reasons that may be major and important at the same time is the funding aspect and the lack of the necessary allocations or use them in other aspects other than medicines to fill a deficit or emergency during the use of budget items due to the scarcity of available liquidity. Medication.
Lack of medication can lead to:
1.
Threat to patient safety: Lack of medication puts sick people at risk, as this can lead to delays in receiving necessary treatment or the unavailability of vital drugs, putting their lives at risk.
2.
Economic Implications: The lack of medicines entails additional economic costs for the health system and patients.
Medical cases may be referred to other medical centers or private hospitals, increasing pressure on other MOH budget items.
3.
Pressure on health care workers: Health care workers are under pressure as a result of dealing with patients affected by drug shortages and repeatedly facing their inquiries and complaints.
4.
Social repercussions:
Increased anxiety and stress: A lack of medication can lead to an increase in anxiety and stress among patients and their families, as they live in uncertainty about the availability of the necessary treatment.
Lack of medication can affect the level of trust in the health system among citizens, who may feel that the system is unable to provide them with adequate health care.
Increased costs and social burdens: Some patients may have to incur additional costs to obtain drugs from other sources outside hospitals, affecting their financial and economic status.
After all this narrative there must be ways to overcome these dilemmas:
1.
Preparation of budgets scientifically and professionally: Hospitals should develop more accurate standards for the preparation of sub-budgets for medicines, through the analysis of previous data, estimation of future needs and other scientific and methodological foundations in the preparation of budgets and commitment to apply them accurately.
2.
Improve coordination and communication between parties: Coordination between the Ministry of Health, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies should be strengthened through the establishment of structured mechanisms for information exchange, review of invoices, and completion of claims, and not delay them.
3.
Implementation of fiscal reforms: The Government and the Ministry of Health should implement fiscal reforms that provide funding to cover this important item and pay dues in a timely manner, reduce bureaucracy in the financial audit process, and proceed with payment procedures within the timetable mechanism agreed in the tender terms.
4.
Achieving social responsibility: The government and pharmaceutical companies should adopt a social responsibility towards patients by providing these drugs and reducing their prices in the market to make them more accessible to patients while relieving part of the pressure and burden on hospitals.
Addressing the problem of drug shortages in government hospitals requires comprehensive cooperation between all concerned parties from government, Ministry of Health, hospitals, drug suppliers and patients.
To provide medicines on a permanent basis and to ensure the provision of high quality health care to the Jordanian patient.

Consequences included drug rationing or diversion of patients, higher prices for scarce alternatives, increased patient risk, and patients visiting multiple pharmacies.

Coping measures included switching to alternative strengths or brands, consulting pharmacists, checking national shortage lists, and using price‑finding apps or coupons.

Responses included manufacturers ramping up production for some drugs, proposals for federal funding, and calls for greater transparency and reporting.

Country reports linked shortages to procurement and budget management failures and recommended multi‑stakeholder solutions to ensure supply and patient safety.

Conclusion: Shortages between 2021 and early 2024 affected many essential medicines; monitor national shortage lists and work proactively with your pharmacist and GP for alternatives and early refills.