Posted by OddipusRex on January 17, 2003, at 11:39:41
Does anyone feel like these forums may be causing more harm than good for themselves? What kind of harm did it cause? I think I recall in passing that a couple of posters mentioned their therapists weren't in favour of their participating or that they were trying to stay away from the board for their own good. I'm beginning to wonder if this is destructive for me. At the very least I am spending a lot of time here that could be spent doing something else. Of course I can only make that decision for myself. And even if I decide it was harmful it's not always easy to take action. For example I decided to stop watching TV but then I find myself spending more time here. It's really frustrating to me. I was just wondering about other's experience. And if you decided it was bad for you was it difficult to cut back? (I guess the ones that quit entirely wouldn't be here to answer.)
Also I wondered if anyone has found interacting with people online improved their communication skills with people in real life? I thought it would, but in my experience it's not the same at all. I feel really frustrated when I seem to be misunderstood online. And trying to clarify things just seems to make things worse. People in real life seem more likely to give people the benefit of the doubt without constant discussions of the meaning of civility. But now I wonder if they may be thinking something entirely different in their own minds. In a way the boards make real life seem more threatening than it was before. I guess my expectations were too high. Most of my interactions here have been on the admin board but I've read the others.
Without putting PB down in any way could anyone tell me of other forums that have a gentle tolerant atmosphere? Or is the problem me and the answer just to toughen myself up?Also I've been trying to find internet sites that could provide creative outlets for isolated people. Does anyone have any ideas? I think it might be best to channel my creative energies into playing the recorder rather than helping Bob define civility :-). I like these two:
http://www.visualthesaurus.com/index.jsp
http://www.dolmetsch.com/method.htm
Thanks
poster:OddipusRex
thread:35377
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030111/msgs/35377.html