Posted by BBob on June 30, 2000, at 18:13:24
In reply to Re: Civility? , posted by paul on June 29, 2000, at 22:55:51
> i still want to know-WHY do you, whatever your name is, bbob, peter, whatever-post at all?
I will treat this as a legitimate question, though I admit I have doubts and regret somewhat bringing this singed thread onto a new page.
I first posted on this site in an effort to find information comparing the neurotropic profile of controlled substances to that of licensed psychopharmacueticals. My posting produced useful results. (though it would help if st james would repost those URLs such as ? map.com ? - I can’t seem to find them in the archives...)
Upon further reading, I found this site to comprise a rich and diverse dialogue about a subject about which I read quite a lot - neurophysiology, neuropsychology, mental functions, and mental health.
When it became apparent that my atypical perspective at times tended to inflame some people on the site, I quietly abstained from posting. After a short while, some people started asking me to post so I joined in again, and was met with warm regard upon my return.
I continue to post because I find the site informative. I also find it challenging to negotiate the range of personalities who participate in the site. In some cases, I have found that some people seem to grow when they realize I am not so threatening even though my point of view is not entirely consistent with theirs. I grow by understanding a perspective I would otherwise categorically reject.
Further, I find it useful to write in an interactive forum that offers immediate review of my musings on topics about which I will likely find myself writing professionally sometime. It is easier to recognize nuance in my own statements when others point it out to me, and it is best to test for errors in my perception among a limited, concerned readership before the error is repeated many times over in a printed publication. Beyond that, simply writing to a well-informed, personally concerned, interactive audience seems to improve my ability to write lively copy on a demanding deadline.
I posted the second time in this thread and again now because I don’t think it is very supportive of me to set an example of tolerating abuse toward myself that seems to stem from someones contempt for my distinct perspective. I may be different, but that does not mean you can hate me and get away with it. Tolerating hatred toward myself would set a bad example, as would returning hatred for hatred.
Perhaps some of my posts have been similar to yours in this thread, paul - perhaps inflammatory and off-topic, but I strive to avoid prolonged wholesale contempt for a person as you seem to exhibit here. I observe that inflamed nerves on this site often heal, and perceived offenses often are forgiven. If, in the heat of a moment, my analysis of someone’s behavior blurs into personal criticism, I try to get over it. So should you, paul.
Stop campaigning against me. Let go of this hatred before it poisons you.
poster:BBob
thread:37944
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000630/msgs/38887.html