Posted by Dinah on June 17, 2010, at 9:52:23
In reply to Being condescending is also an attack, posted by chujoe on June 17, 2010, at 6:11:57
I don't disagree with what you say. I post mainly on the Psychology board, and there are times when a poster starts talking about long term therapy, or the therapy relationship, in a way that upsets and offends me. I get some of the same feelings you do. I'm reasonably sure that those who post about short term goals oriented therapy there may get exactly the same feeling.
Maybe it's like talking politics and religion. Different people can see the same facts and come to completely different conclusions. And be so sure of those conclusions, and see them as so self-evident, that they might appear to those who come to different conclusions as condescending or even hostile. It may stem from the very best of intentions, and the intentions at least can be respected?
I sometimes think the Psychology board would be best split into a short term "results" based therapy board and a longer term "relationship" based therapy board. Just like maybe many would be happier if there was a medication board and an anti-medication board. Dr. Bob's preference is that all views be tolerated and open to discussion on one board.
I suppose Dr. Bob has to draw the line somewhere if the level of discourse is to stay at a supportive and educational level. The place he's drawn it is ideas vs. the thinker perhaps? If someone expresses their ideas in a way that seems so certain that it can feel insulting to those who feel differently, he accepts that as long as the poster doesn't actually negatively characterize those who feel differently than he does. And the response to those points of view can express just as much confidence in the rightness of their understanding, so long as they don't negatively characterize the original poster or his ideas.
It's not ideal, perhaps. I'm not sure if there is an ideal, since stifling the free exchange of ideas might also not be ideal. Although I suppose the free exchange of ideas may already be stifled, since Dr. Bob *does* discourage sociological comments that may negatively characterize others. Perhaps it's possible to express the same ideas while staying within the civility guidelines? That you see a movement lately towards a Puritan attitude towards drugs. That people seem to be believing that willpower and right living will cure mental illness. And that you find such an attitude worrying, since you believe that medication has proven efficacious for many conditions? (I don't actually see Puritan as a negative thing, I'm not sure about Dr. Bob. And I'm not sure if I've adequately captured the essence of your sociological statement.)
Although I post mainly on the Psychology Board and Social, I do read and occasionally post on the Medication Board. I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your sensible and well thought out contributions there.
poster:Dinah
thread:951306
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20100321/msgs/951313.html