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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Twinleaf on September 10, 2013, at 9:38:32
I was just thinking about what makes me return to Babble, despite (in my case), a period of extended blocks, followed by a long period of seemingly very poor general communication with Dr. Bob about the blocking policy and the use of social media, as well as a marked decline in the number of enthusiastic posters - and I think there is basically one reason. Despite everything, Babble has been a source of hope for those of us trying to improve the quality of our lives. Over time, one can find excellent suggestions for medications and other forms of treatment, including unusual ones, which can be further explored. Even more, the presence of a fairly large number of fellow-posters sharing the joys, disappointments and accomplishments of therapy has been extremely meaningful and supportive to me. Unfortunately, this source of support and hope has diminished markedly in recent years. I know the causes are complex, and at least some of them may have more to do with changes in the Internet culture as it matures than with any problems inherent to Babble.
Still, I would love to see Babble solve it's problems. I find it hard to see the years of discussion about the civility rules, the blocking policies and the social media contacts essentially resulting in no changes. We could have used this time to arrive at policies which were far more acceptable to both Dr. Bob and to a majority of the community. If we could do this, even now, I think we would have a much healthier and more active community. In any event, what do we have to lose by resolving our differences?
Posted by Twinleaf on September 10, 2013, at 10:05:12
In reply to What makes Babble worthwhile..., posted by Twinleaf on September 10, 2013, at 9:38:32
To be more specific, why not have a discussion and vote on the blocking policy, covering whether the blocks should remain short or be extended according to current policy, whether they should be occasional (which might suit Dr. Bob better),and the kinds of things which should be blocked (I believe the general impression is that very small, obscure infractions were punished very severely previously, and that that same policy is essentially still in effect). I think it is very reasonable for Dr. Bob and the members of the community to work towards commonly agreed-upon principles as to how Babble is run as soon as possible, as, for example, was done very successfully for the medication reference sources.
Otherwise, we basically remain a dictatorship - not a healthy or constructive way to do things.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 12, 2013, at 22:37:46
In reply to Re: What makes Babble worthwhile..., posted by Twinleaf on September 10, 2013, at 10:05:12
> To be more specific, why not have a discussion and vote on the blocking policy
I'd like to redirect posts about the blocking policy to Psycho-Babble Administration. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20130903/msgs/1050564.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 12, 2013, at 22:44:39
In reply to What makes Babble worthwhile..., posted by Twinleaf on September 10, 2013, at 9:38:32
> I was just thinking about what makes me return to Babble ... and I think there is basically one reason. Despite everything, Babble has been a source of hope for those of us trying to improve the quality of our lives.
That's nice to hear. Would anybody else like to share why they return to Babble?
Bob
Posted by alexandra_k on September 13, 2013, at 2:02:02
In reply to Re: What makes Babble worthwhile..., posted by Dr. Bob on September 12, 2013, at 22:44:39
I came back because I feel like Babble successfully babysat me through 2 deadlines that were Very Important to me, and I'm hoping it might be able to babysit me through this third...
It helps me to vent, sometimes. If I keep it to myself it festers. If I vent it out it helps because I can read it later and look at it more objectively. See a way forwards... Or sometimes other people post things which again, help me to look at it more objectively.
Venting in person is a Very High Maintenance thing for me to be doing. It doesn't win me friends. I can't afford to pay a professional. So I vent here. It helps me feel heard. It doesn't seem to negatively affect others quite the way it does in person...
Babblers here have been very good friends to me. Helped me through some hard times. And... People who I like. And I don't like very many people. So that is important to me.
This is the end of the thread.
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