![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by verne on August 31, 2004, at 14:16:05
In light of the recent conflagration in the ecstasy thread, some observations:
The danger with any community is that it tends to be exclusive and doesn't welcome newcomers. It starts out innocent enough but what goes as "support" for the community may be terribly unsupportive to a newcomer or an infrequent guest. A help-oriented community that embraces everyone wouldn't have a kind of hierarchy, or pecking order with a ruling old guard at the top. Once we start playing king of the hill, we lose sight of the community's purpose in the first place.
When the "in-crowd" pats each other on the back, rallies in support of each other at the slightest perceived offense to one of the gang, even asks for donations (computer for a girlfriend), or petitions for the favored few, they are excluding those not in the group. Those not in the group, many already distressed and insecure, will feel even more worthless and outcast.
The same thing happens in churches, in the workplace, or anywhere people gather. Kind of a "Lord of the Flies" syndrome where an "alpha" group will emerge and attempt to gain power. This form of domination can be very subtle. They may claim they are protecting the wider "community" but in reality it's more like a gang protecting its turf.
I have to credit Dr. Bob for keeping this alpha-pack, "king of the hill" mentality in check. Every post should be treated equally. Equally valid, no matter how hazy the basis or how lacking in documentation. Like in AA - everyone is equally sober - only as long as they've been out of bed that day. Everyone, no matter what the qualifications, no matter how bad the grammar, no matter how inarticulate, should be made welcome - in fact, newcomers who are especially hurting and in need of answers, even more welcome.
verne
Posted by AuntieMel on August 31, 2004, at 15:23:36
In reply to Message Board Community, posted by verne on August 31, 2004, at 14:16:05
I'm pretty new here myself, and quite opinionated, so I'd like to answer a few of your points from my vantage point.
I have never seen a newcomer here shunned just for being new. In fact, I've seen the opposite. If the gang here knows someone is new, they usually go out of their way to be welcoming. And to show them the ropes and make them feel safe here.
The only ruling 'old guard at the top' is Dr. Bob.
Most of us, having been treated unfairly in life, have a very strong sense of *fair* and the desire to fight for it at all costs. I've seen newbies defended just as protectively as regulars. My argument for chemist now is one of fairness, nothing else. It hasn't a whit to do with the topic of the thread or anyone else participating in it.
As for equuality, it has been my experience that the newbies are given a lot more slack than the regulars. Regulars are supposed to "know better" and put up with more than newbies - even if the newbies start things. This can be quite frustrating at times especially if the board isn't being monitored full time.
Civility matters aside, I don't see why a post with a hazy basis lacking in documentation is equal in validity as one coming from someone with a background in the field. Please explain.
Posted by rayww on August 31, 2004, at 20:42:51
In reply to Re: Message Board Community » verne, posted by AuntieMel on August 31, 2004, at 15:23:36
It seems some posters may have a history, a hidden agenda, post to certain subjects, and be quite predictable. I personally stick to the faith forum because I feel more comfortable writing to faith topics than trying to be sociable. I feel less comfortable discussing my mental health and medications on an open forum, and the few times I have done so, I have been rebuffed by a certain pharmacologist. I find it easier to stick to one forum. I dislike crowds, so faith with only a few participants, suits me just fine.
Community health is the sum-total of the contributions of its members. Dr. Bob knows that sparks can create fires that can soon run out of control. It is best to put out the sparks, and that's what I think he is trying to do. (One thing anyway)
Dr. Bob do you have a hidden agenda?
How about we all expose our hidden agendas.
I'll start.
I want to point faith toward God.
I want to increase hope and esteem in individuals.
I want to be a peacemaker
I want to encourage others to obey the 10 commandments so they can enjoy the blessings that come from obedience to the laws of God.
I want to show that there is a direct link between spirituality and healing.
I want to help people discover the difference between true and false spirituality, or between spirituality and spiritualism.
I want to help everyone, and by so doing help myself.
I want to create new thought as I express it on the forum. That gives me a rush.
I want to feel good.
sum total of what has come out here in my agenda:
I want to feel good.rayww
Posted by Sad Panda on August 31, 2004, at 21:09:30
In reply to Re: Message Board Community, posted by rayww on August 31, 2004, at 20:42:51
> It seems some posters may have a history, a hidden agenda, post to certain subjects, and be quite predictable. I personally stick to the faith forum because I feel more comfortable writing to faith topics than trying to be sociable. I feel less comfortable discussing my mental health and medications on an open forum, and the few times I have done so, I have been rebuffed by a certain pharmacologist. I find it easier to stick to one forum. I dislike crowds, so faith with only a few participants, suits me just fine.
>
> Community health is the sum-total of the contributions of its members. Dr. Bob knows that sparks can create fires that can soon run out of control. It is best to put out the sparks, and that's what I think he is trying to do. (One thing anyway)
>
> Dr. Bob do you have a hidden agenda?
> How about we all expose our hidden agendas.
> I'll start.
> I want to point faith toward God.
> I want to increase hope and esteem in individuals.
> I want to be a peacemaker
> I want to encourage others to obey the 10 commandments so they can enjoy the blessings that come from obedience to the laws of God.
> I want to show that there is a direct link between spirituality and healing.
> I want to help people discover the difference between true and false spirituality, or between spirituality and spiritualism.
> I want to help everyone, and by so doing help myself.
> I want to create new thought as I express it on the forum. That gives me a rush.
> I want to feel good.
> sum total of what has come out here in my agenda:
> I want to feel good.
>
> rayww
>
>Hi rayww,
I find messages about god & faith offend me greatly as I do not believe in such things. Could you restrict these these things to the faith board.
Thanks,
Panda.
Posted by AuntieMel on August 31, 2004, at 21:17:23
In reply to Re: Message Board Community » rayww, posted by Sad Panda on August 31, 2004, at 21:09:30
Posted by Sad Panda on August 31, 2004, at 21:24:02
In reply to Message Board Community, posted by verne on August 31, 2004, at 14:16:05
> In light of the recent conflagration in the ecstasy thread, some observations:
>
> The danger with any community is that it tends to be exclusive and doesn't welcome newcomers. It starts out innocent enough but what goes as "support" for the community may be terribly unsupportive to a newcomer or an infrequent guest. A help-oriented community that embraces everyone wouldn't have a kind of hierarchy, or pecking order with a ruling old guard at the top. Once we start playing king of the hill, we lose sight of the community's purpose in the first place.
>
> When the "in-crowd" pats each other on the back, rallies in support of each other at the slightest perceived offense to one of the gang, even asks for donations (computer for a girlfriend), or petitions for the favored few, they are excluding those not in the group. Those not in the group, many already distressed and insecure, will feel even more worthless and outcast.
>
> The same thing happens in churches, in the workplace, or anywhere people gather. Kind of a "Lord of the Flies" syndrome where an "alpha" group will emerge and attempt to gain power. This form of domination can be very subtle. They may claim they are protecting the wider "community" but in reality it's more like a gang protecting its turf.
>
> I have to credit Dr. Bob for keeping this alpha-pack, "king of the hill" mentality in check. Every post should be treated equally. Equally valid, no matter how hazy the basis or how lacking in documentation. Like in AA - everyone is equally sober - only as long as they've been out of bed that day. Everyone, no matter what the qualifications, no matter how bad the grammar, no matter how inarticulate, should be made welcome - in fact, newcomers who are especially hurting and in need of answers, even more welcome.
>
> verne
>
>Hi Verne,
I typically only hang around the medication board & I don't perceive any hierarchy or exclusivity there. Some people seem to perceive Chemist as arrogant but nothing could be further from the truth. I find him to be an excellent source of information & he is very good at finding & posting actual scientific studies on such things.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Sad Panda on August 31, 2004, at 21:31:50
In reply to Me either (nm) » Sad Panda, posted by AuntieMel on August 31, 2004, at 21:17:23
Hi AuntieMel,
I am Australian & we probably have the highest amounts of atheists in the Western World. I personally know very few people who attend church on a regular basis.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by AuntieMel on August 31, 2004, at 22:18:10
In reply to Re: Me either » AuntieMel, posted by Sad Panda on August 31, 2004, at 21:31:50
I'm from Texas and we have to be very, very, discreet.
I'm also NOT a Bush fan.
I've probably got a target on my back.
What part of Australia. I've only been there once (on business) and came back swearing I'd find my retirement home.
Posted by Sad Panda on August 31, 2004, at 22:37:21
In reply to Re: Me either » Sad Panda, posted by AuntieMel on August 31, 2004, at 22:18:10
> I'm from Texas and we have to be very, very, discreet.
>
> I'm also NOT a Bush fan.
>
> I've probably got a target on my back.
>
> What part of Australia. I've only been there once (on business) and came back swearing I'd find my retirement home.
>
>I am from the ideal part of Australia, which would be Brisbane in Queensland. :) If you look at a map we are about half way up the east coast.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by verne on August 31, 2004, at 22:52:01
In reply to Re: Message Board Community, posted by rayww on August 31, 2004, at 20:42:51
very valid post. you have a right to your perspective.
Posted by rayww on September 1, 2004, at 0:56:59
In reply to Re: Message Board Community » rayww, posted by verne on August 31, 2004, at 22:52:01
Thanks verne. I really enjoyed your post on PBF today.
Posted by fayeroe on September 2, 2004, at 0:47:14
In reply to Message Board Community, posted by verne on August 31, 2004, at 14:16:05
lifting my lifetime personal ban to tell you that for the most part, i agree with you about this website. if you will read the whole thread again, you'll see demonstrated, what you wrote about.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Administration | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.