Posted by JenStar on August 24, 2004, at 1:01:38
In reply to Re: possible publication, posted by Dr. Bob on August 2, 2004, at 7:34:52
Dr. Bob,
The slide outline looked interesting. I imagine that the inclusion of posts (for review) would strengthen your points & help draw in the audience to understand.One item I didn't see mentioned (although you might have talked about it): Did behavior change on the board AS A RESULT OF the suicide? For example, did people become more empathetic, more compassionate, more worried if suicidal posters took unannounced 'breaks', etc? If so, how long did that period of heightened general concern last before going back down to baseline? Did you find the surge (if any) different from what might be seen in a physical peer group?
I was interested in your comment that guilt was "diffused" -- is that compared to a peer group who know each other IRL? Would you say it is diffused because of the emotional (and obviously physical) distance conferred by the electronic media?
I was just reading an article about Zell Kravinsky, the man who donated a kidney in a non-directed donation. In the article regarding him in The New Yorker, the author Ian Parker mentioned an ethical puzzle called the Shallow Pond and the Envelope. If a child falls into a pool in front of you, do you save him/her? And if you are asked to donate money to save starving children abroad, do you do it? Are the 'crimes' of inaction in both cases equal? People appear to feel that not sending money is more acceptable, probably because the dying child is far away. Do you think this kind of principle is at play here on this (and other) boards?
In general, do you find that this group of people behave similarly to a therapeutic group (albeit larger and less organized) IRL? Do you think that it is possible or probable that a suicide could be prevented or encouraged by posts on this (or any) board? Did you see evidence that this suicide was delayed or hastened by the person's interactions here?
I know I just asked a ton of questions. I understand if you don't wish to or don't have time to respond.
To others reading my post here: I didn't know the person who committed suicide, and because of this, I *only* have an academic and non-personal interest in the article. I apologize to all who loved her and knew her. It must be hard to hear about a friend being discussed as a statistic or a case study. Please understand that I have a strong interest in what Dr. Bob is learning from this board & these posts and I'm not trying to disrespect your friend.
thanks!
JenStar
> > your site says you can/may use some of the posts for possible publication. How is the book (article?) coming along? Have you selected any threads/topics here of special interest to the book?
>
> My current project is an article:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031120/msgs/290698.html
>
> Sorry to take so long to reply, I was out of town, and then it got, um, busy...
>
> Bob
poster:JenStar
thread:368193
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040717/msgs/381589.html