Psycho-Babble Social Thread 1053395

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Re: And off I go again » SLS

Posted by baseball55 on October 31, 2013, at 19:39:21

In reply to Re: And off I go again » Partlycloudy, posted by SLS on October 31, 2013, at 8:32:27

Scott - You did say something to the effect of -- maybe you're not safe here. Which could certainly be read as -- maybe you should just go away.

I like you alot and respect your posts, but think it was an ill-considered remark.

 

Re: And off I go again » Partlycloudy

Posted by baseball55 on October 31, 2013, at 19:47:48

In reply to Re: And off I go again » SLS, posted by Partlycloudy on October 31, 2013, at 8:44:15

PC - I hope you and Scott can bury the hatchet. As Sig said, and as we all know, internet forums can get weird. There's no body language or history together to fall back on. People dash things off without thinking so clearly about them. Scott seems to me basically a great guy who wants to be helpful. You seem to me to be a great woman who wants to be helpful.

I hope you will both stay and keep connected.

> SLS, bullying does not make you (who invited me to leave Babble)or me special.
> It makes you look like a bombastic word twisting pug.
> I don't care to enter into a conversation with you, because I've seen at length how you love the back and forth of counting the numbers of angels on the head of a pin. Frankly, that is not my interest.
> I am simply here trying to feel better. Not worse. Feel free to post to me, but I might overlook it.
> pc

 

Re: And off I go again » baseball55

Posted by SLS on October 31, 2013, at 21:14:00

In reply to Re: And off I go again » SLS, posted by baseball55 on October 31, 2013, at 19:39:21

> Scott - You did say something to the effect of -- maybe you're not safe here. Which could certainly be read as -- maybe you should just go away.
>
> I like you alot and respect your posts, but think it was an ill-considered remark.

Why did you not seek out my exact verbiage?

Scott: "I'm sorry that you feel Psycho-Babble is no longer a safe place to be. You are probably right."

Did it ever cross anyone's mind that I was in agreement with PC?

Nice.

At this point in the conversation, I had no reason to be belligerent.

PC: "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.
You know where you can put it, I think."

Nice.

It might be instructive to start here and read the posts in order and pay attention to exact verbiage:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20130930/msgs/1053331.html

I would be curious to know where you might find the first sign of provocation.

I hope that I may be allowed my anger as one would allow that of others. Despite my anger, I still try to remain civil. Incivility I left for another thread.


- Scott

 

Re: And off I go again

Posted by SLS on October 31, 2013, at 21:30:12

In reply to Re: And off I go again » baseball55, posted by SLS on October 31, 2013, at 21:14:00

> I hope that I may be allowed my anger as one would allow that of others. Despite my anger, I still try to remain civil. Incivility I left for another thread.

Pardon my confusion. It was this thread in which I was uncivil.

Scott: "Finally, what in the hell do I need to bully you for? You are not so special that I would dedicate such resources to in a vain attempt to assert my ego, right?"

This passage was meant to be sarcastic and rhetorical with respect to specialness and hungry egos. I see no way to rephrase it to make it more civil or otherwise palatable. This was ill-considered, and I apologize to PC for having posted it.


- Scott

 

Re: And off I go again » SLS

Posted by Partlycloudy on October 31, 2013, at 21:48:19

In reply to Re: And off I go again, posted by SLS on October 31, 2013, at 21:30:12

Thank you for granting me the ordinary. That is what I strive for. I am not really intellectually up to or mentally capable of the type of discourse that you might want from someone, say, closer to your degree. (Not speaking of education, but of ability).

I am dumb as a sack of rocks regarding most intellectual things.
On the other hand, I know how I feel, quite vividly.

See ya.

 

Re: And off I go again » Partlycloudy

Posted by SLS on October 31, 2013, at 23:26:32

In reply to Re: And off I go again » SLS, posted by Partlycloudy on October 31, 2013, at 21:48:19

> I am dumb as a sack of rocks regarding most intellectual things.

This might be true. I wouldn't know. However, I thought your thread, "Thinking we are special" was thought-provoking and definitely intellectual. It was also challenging to conventional thought. This was what I meant by "challenge". I do wish that there had been an opportunity for discussion about your topic before misunderstandings got in the way.


- Scott

 

Re: And off I go again

Posted by Angela2 on November 1, 2013, at 0:08:44

In reply to Re: And off I go again » SLS, posted by Partlycloudy on October 31, 2013, at 21:48:19

PC, I think you're awesome. Just do what is best for you. Though, as long as I'm here, I hope u stay :)

 

Snowflakes and a melting community

Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 7:39:22

In reply to And off I go again, posted by Partlycloudy on October 30, 2013, at 19:02:53

FWIW, which likely isn't much because I haven't read every post, it appears that language and the interpretation of language is getting in the way.

Overall how it struck me is that Alex has been struggling lately with feeling out of step with the mainstream of her offline life, and looking forward to getting what she needs as a result of being diagnosed as different - or special if you like. Yet there appears to be a real struggle involved and it's a very current struggle, and hence a very tender area. I am interpreting, Alex, and hope you tell me if I'm wrong.

PC then posted something, likely totally unrelated to Alex's post, about none of us being special. Something that came from her own experiences and is valuable to her in helping her deal with the world. It's an interesting argument, and my own personal take is like Scott's. I think we come from a similar theological viewpoint, which likely influences that. We're a world of special unique snowflakes. Each of us is special. Each of us is unique. But we're among millions of other special unique beings. There it all turns on what it means to be special and unique and what it means to be like everyone else. And that might be something that differs from person to person based on everything from experience to theology.

That's why groups and friendships often form among those who are "different" in similar ways.

As far as Scott's post, I haven't read a lot lately, so don't know if his general posting style has changed, but I read what he said as something cool and detached but not unsupportive. Sort of the sort of thing Dr. Bob tells me sometimes that does indeed make me feel like he said "Don't let the door hit you on the way out." Even though I know intellectually that he isn't issuing me an invitation to leave. I took Scott's statement more as something like "Only you can know whether Babble feels safe to you or not. You need to assess that. Does disagreement and pressing each other's buttons make you feel unsafe? Because that's often enough happened here that it's likely to continue to happen. Can you feel safe when that happens? Can you find a way of feeling safe when people are upset at what you've said?" I didn't see his original statement as angry or rejecting, just an intellectual provocation to thought. Just as PC didn't mean her post as an indictment on Alex's posts lately, Scott didn't mean his post as bullying or an invitation to leave. It's just that we all are interpreting things in accord with what we each "hear", not what each of us "said".

I'm stating what I'm "hearing", which isn't necessarily what you're "saying" of course. So if I have any of you wrong, I hope you'll correct me - with the basic idea that I don't think any of you meant to cause anyone else any pain.

It was an unfortunate misunderstanding I think. But I also think that in a much smaller and self contained Babble it might be a good idea for each of us to stop and try to reassess what we've just "heard". I know Alex, and PC, and Scott. I don't think any of you meant any harm. So I ask all of you to stop and talk - really talk - to one another with the idea that what you "heard" isn't necessarily what was "said". All of us are special and unique, but we all have to live with one another here. We're special and unique, we bring our own sensibilities. But we are all in this together with our and everyone else's sensibilities and life experiences and interpretations. We are special snowflakes in a very small and increasingly small community of snow. We don't want *anyone* to feel like they aren't part of this community or that their viewpoint isn't valued - even if it isn't agreed with - as long as it is respectful to others. I don't see any of what was originally said as disrespectful to others. It isn't until *reactions* got into the dialogue that it got less respectful.

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community

Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 7:45:34

In reply to Snowflakes and a melting community, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 7:39:22

By groups, I meant things like the women's group I think I heard PC mention. Or groups of students who actually like to study in total silence. Or my Sunday School, which is a subgroup in our church.

Not Babble. Which in some ways is based on our mutual differences from the rest of the world. But of course, once you get into that community of people who struggle with mental health issues, there are of course a million different ways to struggle with mental health issues, and a host of other differences in viewpoints. All of which are ok, as long as our commonalities are kept in mind and as as long as we're civil.

Which of course is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. Defining "civil".

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah

Posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 7:56:39

In reply to Snowflakes and a melting community, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 7:39:22

Thank you, Dinah.


- Scott

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » SLS

Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 8:08:46

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah, posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 7:56:39

Did I understand your original statement correctly?

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah

Posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 8:09:29

In reply to Snowflakes and a melting community, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 7:39:22

You'll notice who has been absent from these discussions.

I think reading any of the posts on its own takes the discussion out of context, which was one of my beefs when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was a deputy. If you want to know what our differences are, and who is really angry, it deserves a read.

I hear what Angela2 and you, Dinah, are saying about being special or unique. It's not really the same spirit in which I was referring to, where people take their upbringings and sufferings in life, and say, "these are the reasons I am special and deserve to be treated differently."

Baseball made a good point about that in a post.

But I will tell you what. I will let Scott and Alexandra have their stories about what makes them special and unique, since it brings them so much happiness. And I will stay out of it. Those are their stories and I only have my own. I can only take care of my business, the grand lesson of them all.

I know not many will even notice. That is fine and OK.
Thanks for the posts and discussions.
PC

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Partlycloudy

Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 8:19:11

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah, posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 8:09:29

PC, did you make your original post with Alex's posts in mind? I suspect she saw a linkage that I don't believe existed and responded with defensive anger.

Perhaps we don't have the same background to understand "making up stories" in the same way. But in your usage, so far as I understand it, and meaning no disrespect, what story do you think you're making up about Babble. What story do you think Scott is making up about Babble right now? What story do you think Alex is making up about Babble right now? How do those three stories differ from the story I'm making up about Babble right now?

All that means, to me, is that we're each interpreting the facts in light of our history and understanding. It's the stories that really are keeping us apart, not the facts. I think it might be valuable to try to reconcile the stories.

Alex may have reacted with defensive anger. Which is certainly *not* a unique reaction. Did you not say somewhere in the thread that you responded with anger to posts on this thread? Can you concentrate on that similarity with Alex and possibly try to understand why she reacted as she did, if she had a mistaken notion of your intent?

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah

Posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 9:10:33

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Partlycloudy, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 8:19:11

I can't feel comfortable at this time discussing Alex's feelings or intentions without her participation in the thread. I believe, though, that this started out with her frustration at shared accommodation and one by one dismissing our suggestions. (Those noise cancelling headphones really do work.)

And Scott was the person who brought up the issue of my anger. Some posters are more likely to bring that element up in me than others. He also did invite me to leave the community. I don't think I dreamt that, and I definitely took issue with that invitation.

So the story I have been making up about babble is that my suggestions are not welcome, and more so, my presence is not welcome. That would be where my anger rose up, because I felt a threat.

Now I realise that nothing I can say would have any effect, and I dropped these stories. Alex will do whatever she wants. Scott will think whatever he wants. And I will likely stay out of it given how I have reacted in the past. I don't know and can't predict mine or anyone's future response.

And I believe that Alex at this stage prefers to be of as a unique person in a unique situation. Or special. That is what works for her.

PC

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Partlycloudy

Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 9:37:24

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah, posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 9:10:33

You don't consider it possible that Scott was not inviting you to leave by saying "Maybe it's not"? That my interpretation may not be correct? Of course, Scott's here and can say whether it is or not.

Are you saying that your statement about specialness *did* apply to Alex? In that case, do you think it might not be natural if she responded with defensive anger? Just as it would be natural to respond with defensive anger if Scott *did* intend to request you to leave Babble. If it one intends to confront someone with with what one considers to be an unpalatable truth, even if done with positive intent, anger is not an unexpected outcome.

Personally, I don't think it's particularly unreasonable when in a controlled environment to ask for accommodations where one can be comfortable. When I was admitted to the hospital, I was given a private room by chance. But had I not been, I couldn't have tolerated a shared room and would have checked out against medical advice, if necessary. I couldn't have performed the function for which I was in the hospital if I was in terror that my roommate would vomit. No matter how unlikely that might be. Would I be asking for special treatment? Yes. Would I have felt like that was a problem? No.

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah

Posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 9:48:56

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Partlycloudy, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 9:37:24

No, I read it as Scott making a definitive statement.

I am not going to discuss Alex any further, since she has opted out. This has become conjecture. (I am biting my tongue firmly.)

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah

Posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 10:56:43

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » SLS, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 8:08:46

> Did I understand your original statement correctly?

Yes.


- Scott

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » SLS

Posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 11:41:16

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah, posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 10:56:43

> > Did I understand your original statement correctly?
>
> Yes.
>
>
> - Scott

This is what you posted, Scott:

"You sound very angry. I'm sorry that you feel Psycho-Babble is longer a safe place to be. You are probably right.


- Scott"

That very much reads like an invitation to not let the door hit me on the way out.
Words are words are words and they have meaning.
Not angry, just accurate.

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community

Posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 11:52:30

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah, posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 9:48:56

> No, I read it as Scott making a definitive statement.

PartlyCloudy, you have the freedom of mind to read anything you choose in any way you choose - even when the author states that your interpretation of his words contradicts his intended meaning.

PC wants to make a case of some sort.

Hey, PC... just exactly what is the case are you trying to make? Perhaps I will agree with it.

Me? I am trying to make the case that you are wrong in your interpretation of my words. They were meant to be affirming of your feelings that you sensed a lack of safety on Psycho-Babble. Ironic, isn't it?

* This is how it happened. There really wasn't much to it.


http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20130930/msgs/1053331.html


The following is a condensed version, but required excisions:

Condensed version:

--------------------------------------------

PC:

but, go ahead. Believe you are different, and special. It's a grand illusion.

--------------------------------------

SLS:

How do you define the word "special". I really don't understand your usage of this word.

----------------------------------------

PC:

Special means we don't need to be treated differently. We are genetically the same just about, to all the other people on this earth. It means that I gain nothing to be thought of as special, or to think of myself as special. I am a human.

---------------------------------------

SLS:

You are in an interesting place.

--------------------------------------

PC:

I think I need to feel part of something. The human race is a start. A support circle of like minded women (IRL) is another. This place used to be a place I felt safe. Now I am ready to bolt. But I think, unless provoked, I will just go quiet.

------------------------------------

SLS:

You sound very angry. I'm sorry that you feel Psycho-Babble is no longer a safe place to be. You are probably right.

---------------------------------------------

PC:

Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.
You know where you can put it, I think.
Good bye!

-------------------------------------------

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Partlycloudy

Posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 12:18:01

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » SLS, posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 11:41:16

By the way, do you have some theory of mind as to why I would want you removed from the Psycho-Babble community? What did you ever do to me that I should single you out for special treatment? What motivations could I possibly have to be mean to you?


- Scott

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » SLS

Posted by Partlycloudy on November 1, 2013, at 12:51:56

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Partlycloudy, posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 12:18:01

> By the way, do you have some theory of mind as to why I would want you removed from the Psycho-Babble community? What did you ever do to me that I should single you out for special treatment? What motivations could I possibly have to be mean to you?
>
>
> - Scott

Because you are tired of picking on someone else?
Really, I do not devote the amount of time to this that you do. Parsing every single line. I took your original statement and quoted it. You ran with it, with glee it would seem. Who would want to go through an entire thread to take sentences apart like you have?

You seem to be the interpreter here, Scott. Imagine what you will, because my interest in discussing this with you ended. Your determination in beating a dead horse is not of interest to me.

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » SLS

Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 17:13:10

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Dinah, posted by SLS on November 1, 2013, at 10:56:43

I thought I did. :)

I wonder why it is that I *never* understand , at least not viscerally, when Dr. Bob says something similar?

Must be something to do with my own issues... Teacher figures or something.

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community

Posted by baseball55 on November 1, 2013, at 19:42:49

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » SLS, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2013, at 17:13:10

I belong to a board of like-minded colleagues in my field, which is very heavily moderated. The moderator will sometimes just close down a thread, announcing that it has become unproductive and too personal.

I'm kind of feeling this way about this thread. Things were said. Maybe ill-considered, maybe misunderstood. All the posters have enough history together to sit back and recognize that there is not a lack of good-will generally. None of the participants in this discussion have a history of being cruel or harsh or mean, at least not intentionally.

I want to contrast this with an interchange I had many months ago on the med board.

I take parnate and it causes insomnia. My p-doc prescribes 1mg xanax which I take at bedtime and it helps and I have not built up tolerance or ever mis-used it. Once I ran out four days before my appointment and figured I'd just wait until I saw my p-doc to get more rather than ask him to call in a refill. I didn't sleep for four nights. When I saw him, he said, you should have called me immediately. You are going through xanax withdrawal. I posted this and someone, don't recall who, posted this horrible response that I was a drug addict. When I ignored the post and didn't respond, the poster sent another post crowing that s/he had driven me off the board and that was a good thing.

This poster seems to have disappeared, for which I am grateful. But this is the kind of stuff which can and should really ruffle feathers and drive people away.

And it is very different I think from a misunderstanding between two long-time posters who have consistently shown interest and good-will towards others in the past.

So can we all virtually shake hands and make up? And let it go?

I used to be the most defensive person on earth. I would argue and argue and argue rather than admit that I was wrong, or may have been wrong, or may have over-reacted, or may have been less than diplomatic. All that led to was my nursing endless resentments that cut me off from people.

I find that, today, I am quick to say I'm sorry, even when things aren't really my fault. I want a feeling of peace in my life. I used to be a rageaholic (frighteningly like my abusive father). Now I can't stand losing my temper. When I do, I realize that it eats at me more than it eats at the objects of my anger.

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community

Posted by Phil on November 1, 2013, at 21:51:54

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community, posted by baseball55 on November 1, 2013, at 19:42:49

just do the simplest most obvious thing to do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6T5C-jzSH0

 

Re: Snowflakes and a melting community » Phil

Posted by Phillipa on November 1, 2013, at 23:04:46

In reply to Re: Snowflakes and a melting community, posted by Phil on November 1, 2013, at 21:51:54

Paul my favorite & perfect title Phillipa


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