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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 10 to 34 of 45. Go back in thread:
Posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 9:27:58
In reply to Re: Why I'm not a troll » Deneb, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 4:11:53
>I think the trouble with discussing death is that other people may respond negatively.
This might be worse if they feel like you are joking around about it.I think its in the context with which its discussed. For example if someone was to discuss cancer related death very light heartedly and it come across in a joking sense, then I cannot see how most people would respond postively.
Suicide is a form of death and it will more than often upset people here because that form of death is what is related to the biggest cause of death of mental illness. There is a time for jokes and light heartedness, its a very delicate subject to make of light here I think. Its confusing to know how serious the comments are...
Deneb speaks about not understanding or knowing why people would get upset. I can only think that if perhaps she was to read up on the effects suicide has on families or was to sit in on some kind of grief counsellering session where a familiy/friends was to discuss how they felt when someone close to them died of suicide, then she may gain the understanding to then realise and know how people would indeed get upset.
There was a post a while ago about how she would be very upset when a her pet dies, if I remember correctly. So I would imagine shes well aware of the seriousness of death, but chooses to take suicide less serious with her posts, whilst also knowing from previous experience(s) that it will upset people.
My memory usually serves me well, I do believe this isn't the first time deneb has spoke about suicide in a light hearted fashion only to then appologise and say it won't happen again.
Sometimes history does repeat itself, hopefully some lessons have been learnt and so that it will not keep recurring as prevention is better than cure so to speak.
Kind regardsNick
Posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 10:05:21
In reply to Re: Please don't post to me » Deneb, posted by JenStar on August 28, 2005, at 9:16:54
I've noticed at times that when things flare up with posts that people find upsetting/offensive or disruptive to others, is that Dr Bob or Dinah are no where to be found to intervene to act as moderators/admistrators and issue blocks or warnings.
Of course I understand and accept that both Dinah and Dr Bob do have lives out side of babble and can't be here 24 hours a day to over see things and stop them occuring to an uncomfortable level. At the same time aswell sometimes a person may post and 5 minutes later they are blocked or warned so this stops the situation escalating.
With the amount of posters here though and at the times when they're both not around is when things are most likely and do as history has shown get out of hand...and its good when the situations can be kept under control in their absence.
What could help is if there was more of a presence of admistrators/moderators for those times when they cannot both be here.
Just thought i'd post that administrative thought on my mind.
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 10:08:05
In reply to One thing that could help on a separate issue...., posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 10:05:21
That said I now just saw a post by Dinah ~ hows that for timing!
Dr Bob will be here any minute I guess.. LOL
Whoops i'm talking to myself again :- /
Posted by Dinah on August 28, 2005, at 10:17:24
In reply to Re: One thing that could help on a separate issue...., posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 10:08:05
There was an apology by the time I got here last night, and other people seemed to be handling things appropriately in my opinion at least. People seem to be caring as well as upset. I figure it's a situation best handled by Dr. Bob as he sees fit.
Posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 10:33:35
In reply to Re: One thing that could help on a separate issue.... » Nickengland, posted by Dinah on August 28, 2005, at 10:17:24
I totally agree Dinah. I was kinda speaking on a separate note, not specifically about the threads last night but in general i've noticed it has happened once or twice before...However it does always get cleared up in the end though :-)
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by justyourlaugh on August 28, 2005, at 17:17:07
In reply to Re: One thing that could help on a separate issue.... » Dinah, posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 10:33:35
not a chance i want to post to deneb...
i do not want to play her games...
but she is all over a "social board"..
am i being uncivil?
she has hurt me more than a few times with her ignorance.."yes , ignorance"..not a feeling but a fact..
block me if you must ...i want her to "shut up"
shut up, shut up, shut up,!
she is pushing me over....
i am a poster with thoughts and feelings too...
i thought this was a safe place...
i am so...
how could you allow her to have that power?
dr..where is your common sense?
...
Posted by ClearSkies on August 28, 2005, at 18:06:42
In reply to Re: One thing that could help on a separate issue.... » Nickengland, posted by Dinah on August 28, 2005, at 10:17:24
> There was an apology by the time I got here last night, and other people seemed to be handling things appropriately in my opinion at least. People seem to be caring as well as upset. I figure it's a situation best handled by Dr. Bob as he sees fit.
Unacceptable behaviours followed repeatedly by apologies do not undo the upset that they cause, and I hope that Dr. Bob decides to take appropriate action.
It's one thing to act inappropriately and learn from it; it's another to think that if you apologize it's OK to do it over and over again.
CS
Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:15:10
In reply to does it really? » Nickengland, posted by justyourlaugh on August 28, 2005, at 17:17:07
> how could you allow her to have that power?maybe thats something you want to ask yourself
Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:19:51
In reply to Re: does it really? » justyourlaugh, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:15:10
it concerns me how quick babblers can be to turn on someone...
this is my perception and i hope i'm not being uncivil in saying so...
but...
lou
soostracised.
not by everyone.
but by a fair few.is that going to happen with deneb?
there has been an improvement.
trigger warnings.
they were hard enough to get - remember?
but she did.
she did.and thats good.
real good.as for joking about death...
that one can be hard to understand.
from both sides.there are sites out there that delete things that people might find upsetting.
some people prefer that i suppose.
i prefer not to feel babied.
i bet deneb feels pretty bad about now.
i understand that a lot of people are upset...
but my guess would be she is beating herself up far more than anybody here could.:-(
Posted by gardenergirl on August 28, 2005, at 18:20:04
In reply to does it really? » Nickengland, posted by justyourlaugh on August 28, 2005, at 17:17:07
Posted by justyourlaugh on August 28, 2005, at 18:33:51
In reply to Re: does it really? » justyourlaugh, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:15:10
please be civil while f*cking yourself...
Posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 18:56:43
In reply to does it really? » Nickengland, posted by justyourlaugh on August 28, 2005, at 17:17:07
Did you mean, does it really get cleared up in the end? (from the header in the Subject?)
When you're willing to let go of what has happened, then I personally find that is when you are willing to let it go. Its an individual thing.... or when the Doctor is back and has given the PBC's or blocks then I notice that posters (myself included) tend to move on to other subjects.
I know your upset, i'm just responding to the subject line in you're post, I felt the actual message wasn't directed at me although the message was with my name.
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by 10derHeart on August 28, 2005, at 19:40:02
In reply to Re: does it really? » justyourlaugh, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:15:10
Posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 20:04:20
In reply to Re: does it really?, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:19:51
> it concerns me how quick babblers can be to turn on someone...
>
> this is my perception and i hope i'm not being uncivil in saying so...
>
It may not be civil, but it disturbed me too.
Enough to change my feelings about babble permanently.
Posted by Nickengland on August 28, 2005, at 20:07:05
In reply to Re: does it really?, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:19:51
Hi Alexandra
>this is my perception and i hope i'm not being >uncivil in saying so...
>but...
I see what you're saying and I think its good to try and look at things from all angles. I do think though that in real life and this has some bearing on here too - People mirror people, in that when you meet someone or converse with someone who shows you lots of respect and happiness, you tend to mirror that right back to them. At least thats what i've found.
>lou
>so>ostracised.
>not by everyone.
>but by a fair few.In ways they were merely given the respect back that they gave to others, that might not seem right in an ideal world, but it happens on a regular basis and it can be hard to rise above that. I personally like to try and gain a deeper understanding of the particular posters you mention there, but at the same time realise that when they were posting messages in the nature that they were, it was obvious to me that they would not be spoken so highly of, for want of a better word.
People didn't go out of their way to ostracise, or criticise those posters, every action has a consequence and people were reacting to those particular actions, being the format of the nature of their posts which is why partly due to the fact they are not posting here today.
>Is that going to happen with deneb?
Only deneb and can answer that as she is in control of her actions which others will respond to. Good reputations are as easy to make as bad ones, and people can choose which direction they want to take.
>there has been an improvement.
>trigger warnings.
>they were hard enough to get - remember?
>but she did.
>she did.I don't think placing the word *trigger* counts though, as it doesn't give you the power to bend the rules so to speak and post things that you know will upset other posters. Improvement would be that suicide or death wasn't being taken so light heartly, but 4 months ago the same posts were happening and if their still happening today, I don't see improvement just because the word trigger is used, as the content is exactly the same.
I know where your coming from in your post Alexandra, and I think its admirable what you say in favour of deneb.
To keeps thing in context for myself, suicide ~ taking lightheartly, teehee'ing about suicide ~ which is death ~ which is a high pecentage of people with my particular illness and everyone elses here do die of and maybe feeling those thoughts when they read that message or knowing someone who has died of suicide.
>i bet deneb feels pretty bad about now.
That would mean that hopefully she now understands not to make light of suicide, lets hope it doesnt haopen again like it did 4 months ago.
>understand that a lot of people are upset...
For more than one particular reason too, with the nature of the posts.
>but my guess would be she is beating herself up far more than anybody here could.
She said she doesn't know why people would feel hurt that she is joking around discussing suicide, or words to that effect. The people here reminded of people they have lost in there life is alot more painful than what someone is feeling right now when they can't even understand the whole seriousness of suicide, or is she beating herself up because really she does understand it, but didnt quite get the reaction she was hoping for?
Whatever it was, I've read the posts and been reminded of a family member that died of suicide, I don't mind reading about suicide and i'm willing to discuss it and read posts about the subject.
I'm not too happy of the subject being laughed about though, no more than I would be of deaths from cancer, I don't find them amusing, deneb does, I be interested to know what she find amusing and how she doesnt understand why it is not serious.
Sorry to end with a negative note.
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 20:10:42
In reply to Re: does it really? » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 20:04:20
(((Gabbi)))
It is a tricky one... I know the issue of scapegoating has come up before... Though it might be considered uncivil to say that that is what is happening when particular people are implied...
Yeah. I think my feelings about Babble have changed significantly too. (That happened a while back) Seeing how quick people are to turn sometimes. Just like RL. Just like RL :-(
I guess on the upside...
People do stick up for the 'underdog' too.
And that is good to see.And some people...
Are just having a bad day.But the potential...
The potential that people have...
It scaires the f*ck out of me
Posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 20:12:21
In reply to Re: does it really? » justyourlaugh, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 18:15:10
>
> > how could you allow her to have that power?
>
> maybe thats something you want to ask yourselfI think certain subjects have the power, and it's good that they do. People should be not feel weak for being outraged, or hurt about certain things, otherwise we could brush off, injustice, racism, violence..
It's not a weakness to have those things affect you. When someone writes about certain topics, in a place where it is innappropriate to do so, without sanction, it is in fact giving them power to upset people.
If this were a support group for people who'd lost children to violence, and someone wrote a post making light of that, I don't think anyone would ask that they question why they are upset.
Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 20:29:36
In reply to Re: does it really? » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 20:12:21
> If this were a support group for people who'd lost children to violence, and someone wrote a post making light of that, I don't think anyone would ask that they question why they are upset.
I don't think anyone is asking anyone else to question why they are upset.
I'm just questioning the utility of turning against Deneb... Getting her blocked or whatever...
If this were a support group for people who'd lost children to violence... I'd agree 100%.
But it isn't. Its a site for people struggling with mental health issues.
And ones attitude towards death can be part of the very problem that has sent one here...
I'm not saying that all expressions of that are acceptable.
I'm just trying to render it understandable.
Nicer to help reduce bad feeling and work towards positive changes than to contemplate punishments / retaliations.
Nicer to feel that one has a certain degree of control (though not complete control) over how much one allows oneself to be affected by others.
It is too easy to rail at others for 'making us feel'.
Too easy to rail at others for not protecting us from our own emotional responses.
So very much harder to try and be sympathetic to all concerned.Its hard...
I don't want to fight
With anybodyHuman nature...
:-(
Posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 20:39:17
In reply to Re: does it really? » Gabbix2, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 20:29:36
> > If this were a support group for people who'd lost children to violence, and someone wrote a post making light of that, I don't think anyone would ask that they question why they are upset.
>
> I don't think anyone is asking anyone else to question why they are upset.
>
> I'm just questioning the utility of turning against Deneb... Getting her blocked or whatever...
>
Oh of course, but I was referring to what you'd said to JYL.. "maybe you want to ask yourself that question"
To me that was asking her to question why these posts had the power to upset her.
And I think some things are upsetting, there was absolutely nothing personal about Deneb in my response, except that I do agree that in certan cases a reprimand seems to help push the process of extinguishing certain behaviour along a bit, and I'm not against it.
Villifying a person is different.
Posted by JenStar on August 28, 2005, at 20:39:49
In reply to Re: does it really? » Gabbix2, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 20:29:36
hi Alex,
I'm not personally turning against Deneb, and I don't think the site is a whole either. At least I hope not. :)I agree with what Nick said -- Deneb's future on the site depends on HER and her own choices about posting. (Just like MY future here depends on what I post.) Although we must have compassion as a group and as individuals, it's also everyone's responsibility to look at the needs of the group, the general triggers, and tailor their posts to match the mood. If one person continually posts things that just don't "go" here, they probably WILL end up engendering negative feelings towards them...
Some people are extremely sensitive to suicide, clearly, and it's important to recognize that and respect it here. Especially if the same pattern of posting is happening over and over again -- it's critical to break that cycle to maintain the respect and trust of the other people here.
I know you don't want to argue, and I don't want to either! I just wanted to say that I'm not "against" Deneb, but I'm still "for" personal responsibility. I think the two are not mutually exclusive.
thanks for reading!
JenStarPS - On a personal note, though, I don't think there is ANY comparison between Deneb and some of the blocked posters (Lou, So.) Although Deneb sometimes posts things that trouble others, she also posts lots of generous, kind, funny and informative posts. She genuinely interacts here. I never saw that from some previous posters. I don't think it's fair to even include her name in a sentence with their names!
Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 21:06:04
In reply to Re: does it really? » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 20:39:17
> I was referring to what you'd said to JYL.. "maybe you want to ask yourself that question"
> To me that was asking her to question why these posts had the power to upset her.
I understand that some people are upset. I'm not trying to imply that people 'choose' to feel upset and so it is their problem.
It is just that when people are very upset... upset enough to not care whether the way in which they express that results in a block or not...
Well then it might be time to have a look at what else is going on.Maybe I misunderstood... I thought the implication was that either it is Deneb's fault for purposely hurting people, or it was Dr Bob's fault for not blocking her.
I just thought that sometimes we need to take a little more responsibility ourselves.
Some people find a fair few of Deneb's posts upsetting. Fine. Stop reading them. Its that simple. Take the power back.
> I do agree that in certan cases a reprimand seems to help push the process of extinguishing certain behaviour along a bit, and I'm not against it.
Yeah. Its just that typically people attempt to do this to themselves. Beat themselves up for their stupidity or whatever. People typically use punishment. What is much much harder to get up off the ground is reward / satisfaction for good / appropriate behaviour.
It is hard....
How much should we be allowed to 'make' someone change because of our preferences?
I am not fond of punishment.
Well... That is to say I'm a little too fond of it in my own case. But when I am thinking relatively more objectively I realise that it actually isn't so helpful.
BAD BAD BAD just makes one want to hang ones head.Giving someone an appropriate alternative
Then praising thatWorks better...
But it is also true...
That it takes a hell of a lot more effort.It is true that this issue has come up before.
And the outcome of that...
Was the importance of trigger warnings.
I'm serious.
I don't think Deneb understood WHY suicide / attitude towards death is not acceptable
I don't think Deneb understood HOW MUCH it upsets some people.
The outcome was...
The importance of trigger warnings...
Though I'm not sure that she completely got precisely which topics (I dunno either)
She put them in this time.And that is improvement.
Slow, sure
But improvement.
I dunno whether she'll get a PBC or not...
Dunno.
Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 21:10:11
In reply to Re: does it really? » alexandra_k, posted by JenStar on August 28, 2005, at 20:39:49
> Deneb's future on the site depends on HER and her own choices about posting. (Just like MY future here depends on what I post.)
Yes. How nice it is to see ones choices... To appreciate what is and is not appropriate and why it is / is not appropriate...
>Although we must have compassion as a group and as individuals, it's also everyone's responsibility to look at the needs of the group, the general triggers, and tailor their posts to match the mood. If one person continually posts things that just don't "go" here, they probably WILL end up engendering negative feelings towards them...
Yes. The consequences. Whether one intends them or not. Whether one forsees them or not. There are consequences. What is hard is not having an understanding of the likely consequences BEFORE the fact.
>I just wanted to say that I'm not "against" Deneb, but I'm still "for" personal responsibility. I think the two are not mutually exclusive.Sure.
> I don't think there is ANY comparison between Deneb and some of the blocked posters (Lou, So.) Although Deneb sometimes posts things that trouble others, she also posts lots of generous, kind, funny and informative posts. She genuinely interacts here. I never saw that from some previous posters.
Then I would like to suggest that you missed out on some of their better posts. All of them by the sounds of it. Thats a shame :-(
Posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 21:47:07
In reply to Re: does it really? » Gabbix2, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 21:06:04
> > I was referring to what you'd said to JYL.. "maybe you want to ask yourself that question"
>
> > To me that was asking her to question why these posts had the power to upset her.
>
> I understand that some people are upset. I'm not trying to imply that people 'choose' to feel upset and so it is their problem.
>
I think I misunderstood what you meant by "..ask yourself that question" and that makes the rest of what I said irrelevant, because I completely agree with your take on the situation.
Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 22:03:25
In reply to Re: does it really? » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 21:47:07
:-)
I'll leave this bit in because I imagine you probably like it:
> > I understand that some people are upset. I'm not trying to imply that people 'choose' to feel upset and so it is their problem.
We are getting good at this getting-on business aren't we ;-)
Posted by Gabbix2 on August 28, 2005, at 22:20:55
In reply to Re: does it really? » Gabbix2, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2005, at 22:03:25
> :-)
>
> I'll leave this bit in because I imagine you probably like it:
>
> > > I understand that some people are upset. I'm not trying to imply that people 'choose' to feel upset and so it is their problem.
>
> We are getting good at this getting-on business aren't we ;-)
>
Why I think we are : )
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