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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 22 to 46 of 169. Go back in thread:
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2010, at 1:12:44
In reply to Re: The Question Remains: Why Is Babble Not Babbling?, posted by Willful on July 31, 2010, at 16:17:39
> I'm not very funny. I don't think there's much I can personally do attract more people here.
>
> pcIt's not just funny posts that attract people. I think being supportive is doing a lot, but if someone wants to do more, they could. As Dinah suggested, they could also be positive about the site and me. They could tell others about the site. They could allow their posts to be shared/tweeted as links to this site. They could share/tweet links themselves.
> Other boards have so many functions that people like, that this board doesn't have. You can look up posts from other posters, look up their profiles-- where people are actually likely to put a little information about themselves-- and you get to know them a little-- people have avatars (not necessarily sort of babyish ones like some places)-- and can modify posts after they're written (not necessarily something we would want to adopt-- I'm just saying that is common).
>
> WillfulI've thought about bringing back the old search engine. And profiles are on my to-do list. Which do you think would make more of a difference? Avatars and the ability to modify posts have both been opposed by posters.
Thanks for your ideas!
Bob
Posted by manic666 on August 1, 2010, at 3:13:51
In reply to Re: The Question Remains: Why Is Babble Not Babbling? » ron1953, posted by sigismund on July 31, 2010, at 15:52:44
I think the rant forum cool, as i have different mood swing,s,as a lot of babblers do. So it can vary day to day,sometimes i feel weird an dont give a sh*t,others happier an cool.This can effect post,s but at the time of posting you dont reolise. .So say have 1 moderator on the rant posts thread,s to deal with the //haveing a bad day let it rip post,s.Thus reduceing the ban block trouble.Where i live people interact with what babble would deem insults ,but to me an my surroudings are just banter an no offence is taken , you just come back with a witty comment. Can someone tell me whatRON 1953 has done wrong ,i dont get it .can someone explain
Posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 5:56:23
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2010, at 1:11:57
> > the kiddie pool
>
>Would anyone be willing to try to show ron how he might rephrase the above or to encourage him to apologize? You may have the power to help him avoid being blocked again. Thanks,
>
> Bob
Would someone be willing to show Bob that I'm not concerned about being blocked, and that I am a fully-grown 57-year-old who doesn't jump through hoops for his entertainment.
Posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 6:04:21
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2010, at 1:11:57
> > the kiddie pool
>
> Would anyone be willing to try to show ron how he might rephrase the above or to encourage him to apologize? You may have the power to help him avoid being blocked again. Thanks,
>
> BobOne more thing: Can someone please tell Bob why "kiddie pool" may be a very fair and accurate characterization of Babble as it now stands.
It also strikes me funny how Bob found exception to the term "kiddie pool" and chose a condescending, talk-to-a-child way of expressing it.
Posted by alexandra_k on August 1, 2010, at 6:52:17
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2010, at 1:11:57
> Would anyone be willing to try to show ron how he might rephrase the above or to encourage him to apologize? You may have the power to help him avoid being blocked again. Thanks,
Reading the above phrase results in my skin crawling. Then I get a shuddering sensation. Then I feel angry and a little like throwing up. Every time. Without fail. Lets see if I can articulate why...
You don't tell Ron what you find problematic about what he said. This would be direct. Instead you address the rest of the community. That is indirect.
Instead of directly asking Ron to apologize or rephrase and taking responsibility for your decision to block him if he doesn't meet your demands I think you attempt to shift the blame. That is indirect... And that makes my skin crawl.
It seems that you are saying that if posters care about Ron and want to help him avoid a blocking then they need to attempt to justify why it is that you think Ron owes you a rephrase or an apology and do what they can to coax him into meeting your demands.
I think that you need to take responsibility for your own actions Dr Bob. You decide whether you will block a poster and you decide how long you will block them for. You decide what they need to do to avoid a blocking (e.g., you decide that apology or grovelling is an acceptable out whereas explaining oneself is not and so on).
I don't think it is fair of you to insinuate that Ron doesn't care enough about the community or that the community doesn't care enough about Ron and that is why the blockings happen. I really do think that this is what you are insinuating. And I don't think it is fair of you at all.
Things like this... Is why many have left. But heck, many have said why they left and I don't suppose I need to speak for them. It is there is the archives. Maybe someone will actually listen / take it on board one day. But then I really do get the feeling that someone doesn't really care about the people who have left. I mean smaller boards / fewer posters have been on the agenda for a while now... Nicer to have those who don't complain (so much) I'm sure.
Posted by PartlyCloudy on August 1, 2010, at 7:37:38
In reply to Re: Why Is Babble Not Babbling?, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2010, at 1:12:44
> > I'm not very funny. I don't think there's much I can personally do attract more people here.
> >
> > pc
>
> It's not just funny posts that attract people. I think being supportive is doing a lot, but if someone wants to do more, they could. As Dinah suggested, they could also be positive about the site and me. They could tell others about the site. They could allow their posts to be shared/tweeted as links to this site. They could share/tweet links themselves.
>I don't feel I can be very positive about the site with the changes that you have instituted and especially with the ones you propose - I find them insupportable. (And so I do no comment on them.) The only thing left for me to do is laugh and and try to derive the support I can from the site from my history here, and protect my privacy, which is actively being eroded in the name of increased traffic.
Sorry I can't support you in this, Bob.
pc
Posted by Dinah on August 1, 2010, at 9:14:17
In reply to Re: Why Is Babble Not Babbling?, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2010, at 1:12:44
Avatars would be no worse than signatures, especially if you made seeing them optional. I'd assume they'd be subject to the civility rules? It's a bit distracting, particularly with the animated ones, but not offensive.
Actually, Babble signatures haven't turned out to annoy me enough for me to turn them off. Which says a lot of positive things about Babble posters to me, given my feelings about signatures on many sites I visit.
Posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 9:55:11
In reply to Re: being blocked again » Dr. Bob, posted by alexandra_k on August 1, 2010, at 6:52:17
That's often the effect of his interference, isn't it?
Posted by manic666 on August 1, 2010, at 10:44:18
In reply to Re: The Question Remains: Why Is Babble Not Babbling?, posted by manic666 on August 1, 2010, at 3:13:51
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 1, 2010, at 11:00:17
In reply to Re: The Question Remains: Why Is Babble Not Babbling? » ron1953, posted by sigismund on July 31, 2010, at 15:52:44
> >I think it may be best for me to end my visit to the kiddie pool and head back to deeper waters.
>
>
> Off to Admin then?I'm actually finding this thread quite amusing.
Posted by fayeroe on August 1, 2010, at 15:32:27
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 5:56:23
Posted by fayeroe on August 1, 2010, at 15:38:08
In reply to Re: being blocked again » Dr. Bob, posted by alexandra_k on August 1, 2010, at 6:52:17
Posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 17:05:29
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 5:56:23
>Would someone be willing to show Bob that I'm not concerned about being blocked, and that I am a fully-grown 57-year-old who doesn't jump through hoops for his entertainment.
This is perfectly obvious. To me, anyway.
Posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 17:07:04
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2010, at 1:11:57
What's wrong with 'the kiddie pool'?
I thought it was (almost) affectionate.
Posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 17:08:38
In reply to Re: being blocked again » Dr. Bob, posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 17:07:04
I think we should try not to take Bob too seriously. Everyone's just beavering away, doing their thing.
Posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 17:11:21
In reply to Re: being blocked again » Dr. Bob, posted by alexandra_k on August 1, 2010, at 6:52:17
Alex, 10/10.
Posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 18:31:17
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 6:04:21
>One more thing: Can someone please tell Bob why "kiddie pool" may be a very fair and accurate characterization of Babble as it now stands.
Fair and accurate is no excuse.
>It also strikes me funny how Bob found exception to the term "kiddie pool" and chose a condescending, talk-to-a-child way of expressing it.
I don't think we should try to deprive Bob of the pleasure of doing what he thinks is right.
Posted by Free on August 1, 2010, at 18:35:31
In reply to Re: The Question Remains: Why Is Babble Not Babbling?, posted by ron1953 on July 31, 2010, at 10:51:01
> I think it may be best for me to end my visit to the kiddie pool and head back to deeper waters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiTvgYRUKFg
Posted by fayeroe on August 1, 2010, at 18:43:57
In reply to Re: being blocked again » ron1953, posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 18:31:17
Posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 20:33:38
In reply to The Question Remains: Why Is Babble Not Babbling?, posted by ron1953 on July 30, 2010, at 10:52:05
C'mon, guys and gals, more suggestions! "Modernization" appears to be a recurring suggestion, and a good one. I think we should slightly modify PartlyCloudy's suggestion - how about "Get Out of Block Free" coupons?
My best suggestion is tolerance and unconditional love, which is not to suggest a Utopian ideal. But it's something worth striving for, and produces genuine, observable results along the way.
Posted by BayLeaf on August 1, 2010, at 21:22:35
In reply to Re: being blocked again » ron1953, posted by sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 18:31:17
I'll just jump in here to suggest that during times of change, and challenge, Bob appears to rachet up the blocks - like he wanted to get rid of fayeroe for something simple, but she apologized. Now Ron for this silly thing. If Bob can block the bright good debaters, changes will slide in more easily.
Posted by Sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 21:43:28
In reply to Back on Toipc: Why Is Babble Not Babbling?, posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 20:33:38
> "Modernization" appears to be a recurring suggestion, and a good one.
I don't know about modernisation.
It suggests there might be progress.
I suggest a return to traditional values of hypocrisy and leaving well alone.How about some wu wei?
Posted by Sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 21:47:45
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by BayLeaf on August 1, 2010, at 21:22:35
> Bob appears to rachet up the blocks
There have been scores of them whom this has happened to.
But the formula is scientific and value free.
Thank God for technology and social science, and the US penal system.
It's been a great success.
Posted by Sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 21:55:49
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 21:47:45
I've got to stop this.
It reminds me of when my father came back with a number of battery cages for the chooks. No more messy unhygeinic walking around the yard. Our chooks would be clean and their eggs would roll down and collect in a neat line.
And then you could feed the chook sh*t to some other animal.
It's like feeding ground up cows to cows.......sensible, rational, scientific, progressive.
I think Bob should be congratulated for keeping traditional values alive.
Posted by ron1953 on August 1, 2010, at 22:52:48
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Sigismund on August 1, 2010, at 21:55:49
As much as I'm tempted, I'm trying to avoid sarcasm, not because it's uncivil, but because it simply doesn't convey well in an online environment.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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