The Internet ethos of diversity and competition runs exactly counter to uniform, gatekeeper-oriented medical culture - the technocratic philosophy of the 'one best way' embodied in our pharmaceutical regulations. On the Net, medical information is abundant, and pharmacies, domestic and foreign, operate on many different models.

Virginia Postrel’s quote contrasts the Internet ethos of diversity and competition with the more uniform and gatekeeper-oriented nature of traditional medical culture. She points out that the Internet promotes a decentralized environment where information is freely available and diverse, allowing for many different approaches to issues, including medical information. In contrast, medical culture, particularly in the context of pharmaceutical regulations, tends to follow a technocratic philosophy that emphasizes a standardized, controlled system where there is often a belief in the existence of "the one best way" to approach medical treatment.

Postrel’s reference to the gatekeeper-oriented nature of medicine underscores how traditional medical institutions, including pharmaceutical companies and regulatory bodies, serve as barriers to the flow of information and innovations in medical practice. These entities are often focused on regulations and approval processes that prioritize safety and uniformity but can limit diversity in treatment options. In contrast, the Internet allows for a more open exchange of ideas and a variety of models for pharmacies, whether domestic or foreign, to operate outside the rigid structures set by traditional systems.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Postrel’s broader examination of the impact of the Internet on different sectors, including medicine. As an author and commentator, she frequently critiques the tension between traditional industries, which are structured and regulated, and the Internet’s more fluid, user-driven model. Her work often explores how technology and globalization challenge established systems of authority and control, particularly in sectors like healthcare, where regulations and monopolies can stifle innovation.

Ultimately, Postrel’s quote highlights the growing disparity between the open, competitive nature of the Internet, where access to medical information is abundant and diverse, and the more controlled, traditional systems that dominate pharmaceutical and medical industries. She implies that the Internet fosters a culture of competition and alternatives, whereas the medical field tends to uphold standardization and regulation, creating a tension between the two systems.