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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 13 to 37 of 37. Go back in thread:
Posted by okydoky on December 5, 2009, at 15:30:26
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2009, at 20:16:14
I get on psyo babble every now and again almost always for med support. I have several times checked out other boards and a time or two gotten drawn in about disputes on the Admin board. There always seems to be something. Sometimes seemingly more meaningful or serious than others. I don't want to get caught up in any of it anymore for my own reasons, but I read some of the recent posts and was curious what is the twitter and face book issue?
oky
Posted by ron1953 on December 10, 2009, at 11:05:14
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by okydoky on December 5, 2009, at 15:30:26
I visit only occasionally, just to see if the downward spiral continues, and it's a shame to see how bad it's become. Babble is a good idea that went wrong trying to achieve an impossible ideal regarding "civility". Ideals are fine, so long as reality and pragmatism aren't sacrificed in the name of an unreachable goal. Bob and some core members have beaten the civility dead horse to the point where Babble is no longer a good place to exchange information because of the civility overhead. A poster cannot freely and comfortably speak his/her mind without either convoluted forethought to avoid the civility police, or plain fear of them. Either situation does not lend itself to a helpful, friendly, therapeutic environment. Bob has insisted on an illusion of "safety" only to perpetuate a forum that is, for all intents and purposes, safe for nobody. Like I said, it's a shame.
Posted by okydoky on December 10, 2009, at 11:55:52
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by ron1953 on December 10, 2009, at 11:05:14
Well I posted my thoughts on the neurotransmitter site:http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20091104/msgs/928281.html
I just did not know what the stuff about "twitter" and "facebook" were about. what I did understand was that this site is loosing posters and it was a way ( I don't understand the way) to increase posters. I say if it is not working for those that need it let someone else invent a better wheel, or fix your own wheel. I don't see this happening because of who the wheel benefits the most. I have not been on many other sites and not real active but I never came across anything even remotely like the self serving ***** (fill in whateer suits you). I agree with you that in order to post anything on this site especially not related to a specific question on meds for example, I have to go through a lot of convoluted forethought which in a way goes to all the feelings I have that I posted (at least some of them.)
I guess the question becomes who is the site intended for most? Or who gets the most benefit from it? Those that created it and/or administrator(s) or those that go to it because of a need? Who's needs are being met and at what cost? Well I could go on and on but I choose not to. Some things just fade away because their reason for being no longer exists or something better comes along. Looks like "Bob" does not want what "he" "invented" gone hence the facebook and twitter thing. Kind of answers the question of who is getting the most benefit!!
I suppose I will be banned from posting for a time or what ever they call it if this comes to "anyone's" attention. I guess I might have put someone down or something?At least your post was "eloquent" and probably not written in the middle of the night in anger and depression.
I did not read too much on the admin site and I do not remember the exact quote but when a member questioned something about changes or how it works "Bob" answered that the site belonged to HIM and not the university. I think that says everything and answers everything that I needed to know. They play a game of linguistic gymnastics as "gardengirl" once bragged quite openly how good she was at it.oky
Posted by Sigismund on December 10, 2009, at 18:44:34
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by okydoky on December 10, 2009, at 11:55:52
Has it got anything to do with the advertising?
If not, it must just be to get some people in.
Which sounds ridiculous, I know, as if the building of a community is as easy as that.
This could be a learning experience, but I'm not confident.
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2009, at 18:55:52
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by okydoky on December 10, 2009, at 11:55:52
Don't worry about administrators or deputies. Haven't seen a deputy in months and the only one left hasn't been here in over a year. I like facebook as we have fun and guess what we can delete ourself a post if we chose to. I've learned the civility guidelines according to this site so well that I accuse my husband of a generalization if he even uses the word all and many fight insue because of it. Guess I'm very civil now? So civil that docs and people walk all over me in real life now. Phillipa guess the name is getting ready to retire.
Posted by okydoky on December 10, 2009, at 20:04:27
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by Sigismund on December 10, 2009, at 18:44:34
You seem to be guessing at the reasoning for linking Babble to other sites.
I see your name more on the admin site so I am guessing that my archive search was more inclusive than i had thought and that there is no stated reason?
With that in mind could someone that knows why Babble would be linked to these two other sites provide us with an answer.
Thanks.
oky
Posted by okydoky on December 10, 2009, at 20:18:03
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » okydoky, posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2009, at 18:55:52
Unfortunately we have to live in the real world. Which is what I was kind of getting to in my "rant" on neuro.
Being in places specific to people with mental illness in my opinion and experience does nothing to enhance and prepare ones coping skills and expectations and ability to form new friendships )who are not "trained" in civility rules"), in the real world which is what I believe most of us strive to be engaged in and accepted in as a functioning part of.
Not segregated out as its own populous, like the mentally retarded or at times in our history the African American as examples only.Always a little less than although it would never be openly expressed. Professionals I have known well that confided their mental health issues to me only after learning of mine would never allow for those in their offices to have that knowledge even though they are often unaware that they are not alone there!
oky
Posted by Justherself54 on December 10, 2009, at 20:59:46
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by okydoky on December 10, 2009, at 20:04:27
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20090813/msgs/922824.html
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2009, at 21:20:54
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » okydoky, posted by Justherself54 on December 10, 2009, at 20:59:46
Wow way back in October. Long time ago. Deleting posts from facebook means if someone a relative perhaps posts something that would hurt another. Phillipa or whatever
Posted by okydoky on December 11, 2009, at 1:54:28
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » okydoky, posted by Justherself54 on December 10, 2009, at 20:59:46
Just curious in plain English what did you understand that all that meant?
I think it can be simplified quite easily. He want to get more posters on this site and this is a quick and easy way to do it. If people on Facebook and Twitter were looking for mental health help they most likely would already be here. Of course not in every case. Don't tweek your own wheel just keep on trying in different ways to entice others over to your van and take them for a ride.Maybe they can be seduced into staying if the initial ride is a good one.But For how long? It should be interesting to see what and how long they stay.
oky
Posted by 2nd xylophone on December 11, 2009, at 6:33:42
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » okydoky, posted by Justherself54 on December 10, 2009, at 20:59:46
Posted by twinleaf on December 11, 2009, at 11:00:39
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by 2nd xylophone on December 11, 2009, at 6:33:42
I think he forgot something. He has driven all of his current posters- the ones who gave this site it's meaning and value - either away completely, or into psychological hiding. This is no longer a site worth coming "to", because there's no longer anyone sharing anything meaningful to them. Babble used to be fascinating, but now it's extremely boring.
I'm one of the people who have kept on believing that Babble could be restored to its former wonderful self, but I'm losing that hope pretty rapidly now. This whole thing is very, very sad. It really didn't have to happen.
Posted by Lou Pilder on December 11, 2009, at 14:37:54
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by twinleaf on December 11, 2009, at 11:00:39
> I think he forgot something. He has driven all of his current posters- the ones who gave this site it's meaning and value - either away completely, or into psychological hiding. This is no longer a site worth coming "to", because there's no longer anyone sharing anything meaningful to them. Babble used to be fascinating, but now it's extremely boring.
>
> I'm one of the people who have kept on believing that Babble could be restored to its former wonderful self, but I'm losing that hope pretty rapidly now. This whole thing is very, very sad. It really didn't have to happen.tl,
You wrote,[...either xxx or yyy...there's zz wwwww vvvvvv sharing uuuuuuuu ttttttttt..now it is ppppppp oooooo.... ]
I ask:
A. Could there be a possibility other than those two given?
B. What is involved in psychological hiding?
C. what is a meaningful sharing?
D. other questions not stated
Lou
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2009, at 20:07:43
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by 2nd xylophone on December 11, 2009, at 6:33:42
I'm there we banter back and forth no personal info given out with my family and friends other than photos and names. No unsolicited mail. Phillipa ps we do not discuss intimate things or medications at all.
Posted by 2nd xylophone on December 11, 2009, at 20:35:00
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » 2nd xylophone, posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2009, at 20:07:43
I posted the link for information only since Twitter and Facebook are new option additions and appear to be contenious points on this forum. Privacy also appears to be important to some users of psychobabble and any other number of social network sites. This information was not directed to any particular user, poster or you specifically.
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2009, at 21:46:53
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » Phillipa, posted by 2nd xylophone on December 11, 2009, at 20:35:00
This site's posts and threads have always shown up on google so it's the same only Could be possibly worse probably as some bare their souls here. Me I just don't care personally. I share openly. Phillipa
Posted by 2nd xylophone on December 11, 2009, at 22:08:56
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » 2nd xylophone, posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2009, at 21:46:53
> This site's posts and threads have always shown up on google so it's the same only Could be possibly worse probably as some bare their souls here. Me I just don't care personally. I share openly. Phillipa
That's the case for you but it isn't for all. Unfortunately these types of forums can have regretable consequences. The link was just information not a judgement of which personal attitude is better, worse, or neither.
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2009, at 23:48:59
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone » Phillipa, posted by 2nd xylophone on December 11, 2009, at 22:08:56
I'm aware of that and my observation was that babble posts are not secure either. Just my own opinion of course Phillipa
Posted by Sigismund on December 12, 2009, at 0:36:59
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by twinleaf on December 11, 2009, at 11:00:39
You're right. But meaning and value are sometimes messy and uncivil and you can't deal with that by blocks without consequences.
Ah, we're back to my favourite....actions have consequences.
> I think he forgot something. He has driven all of his current posters- the ones who gave this site it's meaning and value - either away completely, or into psychological hiding. This is no longer a site worth coming "to", because there's no longer anyone sharing anything meaningful to them. Babble used to be fascinating, but now it's extremely boring.
>
> I'm one of the people who have kept on believing that Babble could be restored to its former wonderful self, but I'm losing that hope pretty rapidly now. This whole thing is very, very sad. It really didn't have to happen.
Posted by twinleaf on December 12, 2009, at 9:40:34
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by Sigismund on December 12, 2009, at 0:36:59
You're right. For things to be real and meaningful, they do have to be messy, sometimes. One might go a little far in one direction while under the influence of one feeling, but then there's almost always a return to the middle. There can be a lot of growth in this process. Trusting posters to make these natural corrections, without having to keep such extreme "civility" guidelines in mind at every moment, probably would have keep Babble much more alive and meaningful. The guidelines we run into here are nothing like anything we encounter in daily life! You made such a good point.
This whole disaster makes me think of the Greek tragedies, where really extreme terrible things occurred, slowly but surely, as a result of human weakness. The weaknesses themselves were just normal human ones - nothing extreme or unusual-but the fact that they weren't understood, or taken responsibility for, but were instead acted upon, led, slowly but invariably, to tragic, devastating endings.
Posted by Nadezda on December 12, 2009, at 11:53:53
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by twinleaf on December 12, 2009, at 9:40:34
It's just amazing that so many put the onus for everything that's happened--including the depopulation of Babble--onto Bob, while no one looks at what he or she--or others-- did, said, or wrote, and the atmosphere that was created, which resulted in blocks and in quitting. And why attribute all shifts in involvement of other posters to the blocks, etc, rather then to shifts in interests or desire to be here, as opposed to other places?-- As if there aren't multiple motives for posting or not posting at a particular place?
Blocking uncivil posters is not a phenomenon unique to babble. Every message board I've ever gone to, including Psych Central, has a policy of blocking uncivil posters. In fact, if you read the policy at Psych Central, it's a good deal more draconian than the one here.Are we all victims here? Where did we get this victim ideology?
Nadezda
Posted by Phillipa on December 12, 2009, at 12:02:55
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by Nadezda on December 12, 2009, at 11:53:53
I feel interest in the internet is not on the rise but decline. Except for google. Just my opinion. I personally still like seeing the pics of who I'm talking to and facebook provides that in a lot of instances. Only come here to read about meds no arguments on facebook and as I said I can block a post on my thread myself. No one can block me there. Phillipa
Posted by twinleaf on December 12, 2009, at 17:05:34
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by Nadezda on December 12, 2009, at 11:53:53
I have been blocked for, I think, 37 weeks in 2009. The first time, I felt that it was justified, as I agreed that I had been uncivil. The next three times, I was either protesting extremely long blocks of other posters or protesting the automatic forwarding of our posts to Twitter and Facebook. I was very careful to be civil and courteous, but I was expressing views which were different from those held by administration. I feel certain that what was threatening about me was that my views and principles were different; it is apparently easy enough to silence people like me by claiming that my statements "might make some *third party* feel put down". I didn't receive warnings about these blocks, and, most of the time, had no idea who it was that I might have been making feel put down- or why.
So, to answer your very valid question, for me, although not necessarily for others, to remain silent means that I remain a victim of hurtful actions taken by the administration towards me on this forum. To speak up in protest means, for me, to liberate myself.
Posted by Sigismund on December 12, 2009, at 18:22:03
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by twinleaf on December 12, 2009, at 9:40:34
>For things to be real and meaningful, they do have to be messy,
I could have put that a little better.....for me there has to be an element of risk about the communication, which means anxiety and possible bad feeling, but the best things can come out of it.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 7, 2010, at 23:38:46
In reply to Re: Babble Almost Gone, posted by twinleaf on December 12, 2009, at 17:05:34
> It's just amazing that so many put the onus for everything that's happened--including the depopulation of Babble--onto Bob, while no one looks at what he or she--or others-- did, said, or wrote, and the atmosphere that was created, which resulted in blocks and in quitting.
>
> Are we all victims here? Where did we get this victim ideology?
>
> Nadezda> I was very careful to be civil and courteous
>
> to remain silent means that I remain a victim of hurtful actions taken by the administration towards me on this forum. To speak up in protest means, for me, to liberate myself.
>
> twinleafCivility is in the eye of the beholder.
A victim ideology may be an effect of victimization. And fight or flight may be more attractive than accepting constraints. But accepting constraints is a necessary part of working together.
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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