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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 0:57:25
For starters, I never did find anything, anywhere on the boards about the whole mess concerning a certain destructive poster. In fact a lot of posts are very disjointed and confusing to me as if people are speaking in a foreign lanauage. It's like no one writes in complete sentences any more so the reader has no idea where or what folks are talking about half the time. I don't get this at all! Also I really thought these boards were for a clear idea of support and answers, instead I find myself feeling as if I just walked in on private conversations that don't seem to relate to mental health at all sometimes. Am I way off here, or are there others out there who see what I am saying? I promise this is not an attack on any one poster or to be disrespectful in any way, I just feel very lost on what some others are trying to get across on these boards sometimes!
Posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 1:13:38
In reply to Why is this board so confusing at times?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 0:57:25
Sorry to rant and rave so much, but some posts do confuse me, and I get very frustrated about it.
I want to absorb a lot of things about what people are saying on these boards, and I get annoyed when I can't figure out where some comments/advice/venting people write about are coming from (i.e the answers below a heading don't tie into the header thread or a thread has no message attached and isn't clear from the get-go). It must be that I'm just very tired tonight I think. Does anyone understand where I am coming from? I feel a little lost at times.
Posted by Sabina on October 9, 2003, at 2:40:42
In reply to Why is this board so confusing at times?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 0:57:25
I'm having a strange sense of deja vu tonight, dating back to the aftermath of some other not too ancient blow-up...though ancient enough for me to have forgotten which one. There was a newcomer, overly eager to hear all the details of the fracas, and commenting about how this place should be geared more for help and support, why did we (or Dr. Bob, more like) let this sort of thing happen, and so on in that vein. Anyone else remember that, or is it just me imagination or a dream I had? Maybe it's just the Topamax talking. Anyhoo...
Just in case, let me respond to you as candidly and kindly as possible.
I don't understand what I perceive as an odd fascination for soliciting information from gal, hannah, and then an open call, then searching the archives about a topic that has been extremely volitile and painful for many posters, and finally making a comment that seemingly critiques the tone and/or quality of board content altogether; e.g. ..."feeling as if I just walked in on private conversations that don't seem to relate to mental health at all."
For my part, I agree with the answer that Hannah already gave you on this topic and applaude Kristen for refraining from any comment. I do not at all believe that it would benefit anyone here to reopen wounds so recently (re)inflicted. I certainly do not care to know anymore about the situation than I do already. It is indeed a mess. Shall we not dig it up again? As for walking in on "private conversations?" I do it all the time, sweetie! Jump right in. This is a Public, Social, forum. Get in where you fit in.
I'm sorry you feel lost or if the threads are difficult to understand; perhaps due, in part, to how some people post in a sort of idiosyncratic shorthand. It is one way that people express their individuality in this environment. Perhaps your experience will improve over time and as you get to know people it will not be perceived as a hindrance, but more as lovable character traits that keep things interesting.
As for this being a place for "...a clear idea of support and answers..." I can only speak for myself. I am not a professional. I am not a Psych major, real or otherwise. I am only a woman with Bipolar II who is trying to get her meds adjusted, live her life, and be supportive and social with the people on this board. I do the best I can. My goal is support and suggestions. I don't claim to be sorted on the clarity and solutions at this point in my quest for enlightenment. ;)
I hope you begin to feel more comfortable with the flow of things here soon, and that Dr. Bob's site will be able to provide you with the answers you are seeking.
-Sabina
> For starters, I never did find anything, anywhere on the boards about the whole mess concerning a certain destructive poster. In fact a lot of posts are very disjointed and confusing to me as if people are speaking in a foreign lanauage. It's like no one writes in complete sentences any more so the reader has no idea where or what folks are talking about half the time. I don't get this at all! Also I really thought these boards were for a clear idea of support and answers, instead I find myself feeling as if I just walked in on private conversations that don't seem to relate to mental health at all sometimes. Am I way off here, or are there others out there who see what I am saying? I promise this is not an attack on any one poster or to be disrespectful in any way, I just feel very lost on what some others are trying to get across on these boards sometimes!
>
Posted by fallsfall on October 9, 2003, at 7:18:50
In reply to Why is this board so confusing at times?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 0:57:25
The volatile issue is only one piece of Babble. People are trying to work it through for themselves. They need to do that. They need to be able to do that. I send them hugs and ice cream for comfort.
We need to remember that that is the past, and this is the present. Those of us who started after the "incident" could help stabilize the board during this turmoil by using this board for the support and compassion it is known for.
Difficult things can play out here - this is the real world. Can we remember that the world is a big place, and not let one issue consume us? Particularly if you weren't involved. The best way that we can keep Babble a safe and supportive environment is to be safe and supportive. The good posts far outweigh the bad posts, the compassionate posters far outweigh the hurtful posters. The world is, on the whole, a good place - and so is Babble.
My heart goes out to those who are hurting, but my eye is on the future.
Posted by Susan J on October 9, 2003, at 8:55:46
In reply to Why is this board so confusing at times?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 0:57:25
Hi.
> For starters, I never did find anything, anywhere on the boards about the whole mess concerning a certain destructive poster.
<<I'm fairly new, so not sure, but I think if the posts were really bad, they and their subsequent postings get deleted. So no, you'll not find them.>>Also I really thought these boards were for a clear idea of support and answers, instead I find myself feeling as if I just walked in on private conversations that don't seem to relate to mental health at all sometimes.
<<Well, they are *personal* conversations, dealing with people and the struggles they go through in life. They're not private in that they are here. But they *do* relate to mental health in the broader context because it is *life* that impacts on our mental health, and our mental health that impacts on our lives. People have isolated incidents in their lives that bring them confusion, or anger, or pain, and they use the boards as a support network, seeking information and support.That help?
It's friends, or friendly people, talking over coffee without ever seeing their faces.
Susan
Posted by madwand on October 9, 2003, at 13:50:52
In reply to Why is this board so confusing at times?, posted by Searchlight on October 9, 2003, at 0:57:25
Searchlight,
Welcome to PB. I have not been here much longer than you (perhaps a couple months). I had the opportunity to experience the person in question completely in her "new" persona for a while before the "history" suddenly emerged (which led to somewhat different perception of the whole thing). Like you I did some research (and while I respect Sabina's sentiment I would suggest that this is a good thing, and one of the unique advantages of an online environment vs. an "analog" one).
As you can see, the whole thing re-opened some wounds and thus people are somewhat reluctant to bring it back to the board now that things are dying down. If you want people to fill you in you
might consider posting an email address (preferably an "alternate" one for safety until you get to know people. and spelled out to avoid the spambots). I know I received some interesting backgrounding that way. However, I cannot make promises for other posters nor do I consider myself at liberty to share what they shared with me. Also, since the person in question has decided the leave the board, posting an email might be the only way to reach her and here "her" side of story (should you so desire).
Anyway, again welcome (and hopefully I have not further ticked off the old-timers :) ). Should you wish to reach me off the board I can be reached at:madwand-babble at earthlink.net
with "@" instead of " at " (that is to dodge the spambots). BTW, note that first special character is a dash, not an underscore. If you have trouble with it just remember "that dashing fellow".
Uh, no? Well hey, I bet you remember it now! Peace be unto you.Michael
Posted by gabbix2 on October 9, 2003, at 15:13:20
In reply to Re: Why is this board so confusing at times? » Searchlight, posted by fallsfall on October 9, 2003, at 7:18:50
For such an eloquent and wise post that was truly supportive;
positive without minimizing anyone's pain, or shoving things under the rug.Thank you for acknowledging that what can so easily be seen from the outside as cruelty or pointless bickering stems from a subject that was painful for so many people.
None of us are taking pleasure in it.
And its a very small part of who we are.I don't know what else to say, I wish I had the words,
Thank You just doesn't do you justice.
This is the end of the thread.
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