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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 38 to 62 of 75. Go back in thread:
Posted by gardenergirl on December 4, 2004, at 23:31:15
In reply to Re: politics board, posted by gardenergirl on December 4, 2004, at 23:30:46
Posted by gardenergirl on December 4, 2004, at 23:35:52
In reply to Re: politics board, posted by Dr. Bob on December 4, 2004, at 1:56:53
>
> > [to] limit a discussion of politics to the constructively positive... would take any political discussions here far out of the realm of typical civil political discourse. My guess is that permissible discussions would be too stilted and the topics too limiting to be of any use to anyone.
>
> Well, so maybe it would be far out... But too limiting? Good policies? That's not wide open?
>
> BobDr. Bob,
A proper analysis of any policy requires assessing the good and the bad. The world is not all sweetness and light. I think it's damaging to encourage that we ignore the negative here on Babble. Because that's not the reality.Now there is value in reinforcing what's positive. But how about allowing a whole picture context as long as it's policies and procedures we are talking about and not people?
For example, we often point out what we don't like about your policies. You seem to have good boundaries in not assuming that our dislike of a decision of yours does not generalize to dislike of you. Now, I'm a sensitive person, and I struggle to avoid taking criticism as a rejection. But instead of making this a place where I might never have to face that, wouldn't it be better to create a more realistic Babble world that also gives me the opportunity to process my reactions and gain support?
gg
Posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:07:29
In reply to Re: politics board » Dr. Bob, posted by gardenergirl on December 4, 2004, at 23:35:52
the positivist sees the glass half full
the negativist sees it half empty.
if we put a child in seclusion as a consequence of an unacceptable behaviour
is it a removal of a positive reinforcer (company)
or the deliverance of something negative (isolation)?They are just two different ways of looking at the same thing.
Most things you can say one way
You can say the other.Instead of saying you are unhappy with the way things are being done currently (e.g., with Bush)
How about saying what you think could be a good thing to do to make an even better USA or world or whatever?I am struggling to come to grips with the problem here...
Posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:14:08
In reply to Re: politics board, posted by Dr. Bob on December 4, 2004, at 1:56:53
> We're not asked to limit our remarks about insurance companies or pharmaceutical companies to a discussion of all the wonderful things they do
> But politics get more emotional?How about because a 'company' isn't likely to feel offended or accused as a result. Whereas if you are talking about politics some people identify so strongly with their political ideology that they see criticisms of the ideology as personal attacks.
Instead of putting down and criticising certain ideologies (which can lead to hurting particular people) perhaps one could just focus on promoting ones own view. Focus on the positive. I like it.
Maybe if there was somebody here who was high up in an insurance / pharmacutical company and they complained of feeling hurt and / or accused then Dr. B would knuckle down on those kinds of claims...
I am starting to think that what is considered uncivil may (in some cases) have more to do with being a function of whether somebody actually does take offence.
Posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:14:51
In reply to Re: politics board » Dr. Bob, posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:14:08
Posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:16:24
In reply to sorry, above for TofuEmmy (nm), posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:14:51
Posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:18:56
In reply to nope - for alesta (sorry) (nm), posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:16:24
Anyone who cares, I guess :-)
Posted by alesta on December 5, 2004, at 3:40:27
In reply to Re: politics board » Dr. Bob, posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:14:08
> > We're not asked to limit our remarks about insurance companies or pharmaceutical companies to a discussion of all the wonderful things they do
>
> > But politics get more emotional?hi again alex :)
i didn't write that comment. might've been tophu or mair..
:-)
(i'd comment anyway, but need a rest from this.)
take care sweetie,
amy
Posted by mair on December 5, 2004, at 10:32:56
In reply to Re: politics board » Dr. Bob, posted by alesta on December 4, 2004, at 22:07:43
I don't think Bob can let only one side be heard on this board. My very sensitive son used to take the favorable things I said about his friends, as criticism of him. Frankly, I could see me reacting the same way. Gushing can be a way putting down those who don't feel the same way, particularly when you know those people are out there and are reading what you're posting.
The more I review this thread, the more I think the politics board is not a good idea - at least for the way Dr. Bob polices things. Most people (certainly me) prefer discussing politics with people who agree with them alot more than they disagree and thus can empathize with their opinions, or at least they only want to talk with people who are not at some other far end of their political spectrum. People who were fervently against Bush are not going to feel supported by people who were ardent supporters.
If I reflect back to the discussions we had here after the election, I honestly thought Dinah was pretty much the only person participating in those discussions who was able to remain totally civil in exchanges with people who obviously disagreed with her. I thought she was making a sincere attempt to unemotionally explain a different point of view to people who clearly didn't share her opinions. Frankly, I think she's the exception and not the rule.
How about 2 different politics boards?
Mair
Posted by alesta on December 5, 2004, at 11:31:39
In reply to Re: politics board - more than one?, posted by mair on December 5, 2004, at 10:32:56
that's an interesting idea, mair. i wonder what ppl think.
i guess the only problem might be how we would separate the boards. one for republicans and one for democrats? but then, there are some republicans that are very anti-bush, and might be very unhappy on the "republican" board. maybe a better division would be pro-bush and anti-bush? but that would just look weird, lol..and we have to take other countries' political denominations and leaders into account maybe.
perhaps there's a simpler way to divide the boards than this? i don't know. maybe someone else can come up with something, or give some more input to this topic.
amie :-)
Posted by mair on December 5, 2004, at 12:03:17
In reply to Re: politics board - more than one? » mair, posted by alesta on December 5, 2004, at 11:31:39
I think it's ok to divide them up by party with the note that these designations are not absolute. In my state, we're not required to state a party when we register to vote so party affiliations aren't as strong anyway. I'm assuming threads would be subject specific, so there's nothing to prevent an anti-Bush republican from participating in threads on the other board about positions with which he or she identifies.
Mair
Posted by alesta on December 5, 2004, at 12:28:14
In reply to Re: politics board - more than one? » alesta, posted by mair on December 5, 2004, at 12:03:17
> I think it's ok to divide them up by party with the note that these designations are not absolute. In my state, we're not required to state a party when we register to vote so party affiliations aren't as strong anyway. I'm assuming threads would be subject specific, so there's nothing to prevent an anti-Bush republican from participating in threads on the other board about positions with which he or she identifies.
>
> Mairwell that sounds like it'll work! :-)
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 5, 2004, at 22:20:50
In reply to Re: politics board, posted by Dr. Bob on December 3, 2004, at 4:27:05
I personally refrain from posting and reading ANY boards or posts that I feel I cannot handle. But for those who want the Political boards I think that is fine it is Dr. Bob's site and anyone posting on the site unless they are VERY new knows there are civility rules...I would raise Dr Bob's blood pressure and get a permanete block if I were to post there <g> so I don't...As an adult I avoid it. It to me is a matter of self restraint as well as respect of someone else's site. That is just my opinion on it.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 5, 2004, at 23:56:58
In reply to oh frig, I can't work out who its for..., posted by alexandra_k on December 5, 2004, at 1:18:56
> oh fr[*]g
Please don't use language that could offend others.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 5, 2004, at 23:58:13
In reply to Re: politics board » Dr. Bob, posted by gardenergirl on December 4, 2004, at 23:35:52
> > Well, how about policies you think would be positive, at least?
>
> someone who's happy w/ the job president bush is doing can talk about how wonderful he is or what a great job he did with such and such.
>
> but then the ppl who aren't satisfied with bush ... basically have to just sit there and say nothing.
>
> amyNo, they could talk about how wonderful another policy would be...
--
> A proper analysis of any policy requires assessing the good and the bad. The world is not all sweetness and light.
>
> ggThat's a good point... What I'd like to avoid is just the bad, without any good. Balance is important.
Bob
Posted by Dinah on December 6, 2004, at 2:17:51
In reply to Re: please be civil » alexandra_k, posted by Dr. Bob on December 5, 2004, at 23:56:58
And I was surprised again, so my recall is not what it should be.
Sorry Alexandra.
Posted by Dinah on December 6, 2004, at 3:35:23
In reply to Re: politics board - more than one?, posted by mair on December 5, 2004, at 10:32:56
Thanks Mair. I guess my interest in politics is more intellectual than passionate. I can generally see the point of all sides.
I had tons of practice. My father and I used to have hours and hours and hours of political and current issues and history (and religion and philosophy) discussions that would fit perfectly into Dr. Bob's civility guidelines. Daddy enjoyed arguing (in the nonpassionate sense) different sides of the same discussion. And while I think he did it just for the fun of it, it makes perfect sense too. Because there are generally coherent arguments on most sides of any issue. So we'd talk politics in terms of how shrewd a politician's strategy was. And current events in terms of likely outcomes of various possible decisions, and the political likelihood of each coming to pass. Religious and philosophical discussions went the same way.
My mother is an extreme and very passionate conservative, but from my conversations with my father and his friends, it never occurred to me that so many people approached topics like my mother rather than my father.
When the Faith board first came up, I was excited thinking that I could finally have somewhere to have the discussions that Daddy and I used to have, and that my husband detests. But it didn't take me long to discover that Faith wasn't quite like that. And I see no evidence that a board on current affairs (and I agree with Mel that if Dr. Bob is foolhardy enough to go ahead with this, he ought to change the name) would be any more like it.
I'm not sure that two boards would solve the issues that I see. If, for example, a Gorgatrope came to the site and there was on the site a board in which members of Babble were saying how angry they were that Gorgatropes were so shortsighted and uninformed and that they felt the need to apologize for the actions of Gorgatropes (which implies that the actions of Gorgatropes are shameworthy), I'm guessing that even if the Gorgatrope doesn't post on that board, it will affect how he will relate with the people who are saying those things on every board. Because no one likes to think that people think that badly of them. And I doubt many people are unaffected by it.
Separate boards, same boards, Social, Politics, Current Affairs, Republican Board, Democrat Board. Passionate denunciation of viewpoints, especially passionate denunciation of viewpoints that verge into passionate denunciation of a group, is bound to cause feelings of alienation and lessen supportive and loving feelings.
I understand that people think that's a fair trade. And if that's what people, and more importantly Dr. Bob want, then that's fine.
I'm just sad. Because it seems like there must be lots of places on the internet to denounce Bush or people who voted for Bush or people who believe in this or that policy. But there aren't that many places with a loving supportive environment for those with mental health issues.
But that's just me, and I'm clearly in the minority. In more ways than one. :)
Posted by alesta on December 6, 2004, at 3:55:39
In reply to Re: politics board, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 5, 2004, at 22:20:50
> I personally refrain from posting and reading ANY boards or posts that I feel I cannot handle. But for those who want the Political boards I think that is fine it is Dr. Bob's site and anyone posting on the site unless they are VERY new knows there are civility rules...I would raise Dr Bob's blood pressure and get a permanete block if I were to post there <g> so I don't...As an adult I avoid it. It to me is a matter of self restraint as well as respect of someone else's site. That is just my opinion on it.
hi fallen,:)
i hear you. i myself have no plans of posting on any political boards either. :) it wouldn't bother me if there were no political boards at all, and it might be prudent to eliminate them. (i said might, guys. nobody write me debating this please.:))amy
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 6, 2004, at 12:40:12
In reply to Re: politics board » Fallen4MyT, posted by alesta on December 6, 2004, at 3:55:39
Exactly Alesta I myself can just not open that board as well as the faith board and be fine. I come here more for the psych and social...So for me, it is just as if they had a board on Jessica Simpson on here...I would just avoid it it she is of zero intrest to me and of othere wanted to talk on her that's cool for those Dr Bob set the Jessica board up for ..Hahaha can you imagine? If I come on here someday and see a Jessica Simpson boaed I will die loling
> > I personally refrain from posting and reading ANY boards or posts that I feel I cannot handle. But for those who want the Political boards I think that is fine it is Dr. Bob's site and anyone posting on the site unless they are VERY new knows there are civility rules...I would raise Dr Bob's blood pressure and get a permanete block if I were to post there <g> so I don't...As an adult I avoid it. It to me is a matter of self restraint as well as respect of someone else's site. That is just my opinion on it.
>
> hi fallen,:)
> i hear you. i myself have no plans of posting on any political boards either. :) it wouldn't bother me if there were no political boards at all, and it might be prudent to eliminate them. (i said might, guys. nobody write me debating this please.:))
>
> amy
>
Posted by TofuEmmy on December 6, 2004, at 13:07:38
In reply to Re: politics board » alesta, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 6, 2004, at 12:40:12
I'd read a Homer Simpson board!
Posted by alesta on December 6, 2004, at 13:48:56
In reply to Re: politics board » alesta, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 6, 2004, at 12:40:12
oh my god you are so funny! thanks for the laugh, fallen. :-) something about that post really tickled me.
but how do you know you aren't talking to jessica simpson right now? :)kidding, heh
amy
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 6, 2004, at 14:18:29
In reply to Re: politics board - yeah but, » Fallen4MyT, posted by TofuEmmy on December 6, 2004, at 13:07:38
> I'd read a Homer Simpson board!
LMAO I too might have more to say on that board :P
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 6, 2004, at 14:25:44
In reply to Re: politics board » Fallen4MyT, posted by alesta on December 6, 2004, at 13:48:56
HAHAHA "Jessica" it was tuna not chicken :-P I am glad to make you lol...I love to add a tad of lightness to heavy topics, I tend to be a light person kind of easy..not THAT way but you know......I really would bust out loling if Dr Bob did set the J Simpson board up.....or H Simpson who may be a tad brighter :)
Maybe we should request a board for Simpsons ? Think he would? :)
>
> oh my god you are so funny! thanks for the laugh, fallen. :-) something about that post really tickled me.
>
> but how do you know you aren't talking to jessica simpson right now? :)kidding, heh
>
> amy
>
Posted by alesta on December 6, 2004, at 15:48:38
In reply to Re: politics board » alesta, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 6, 2004, at 14:25:44
> HAHAHA "Jessica" it was tuna not chicken :-P I am glad to make you lol...I love to add a tad of lightness to heavy topics, I tend to be a light person kind of easy..not THAT way but you know......I really would bust out loling if Dr Bob did set the J Simpson board up.....or H Simpson who may be a tad brighter :) LOL!
homer simpson brighter than *me*? i..i..i mean jessica? are you crazy??? she's freakin genius!! only she would have the insight to notice the chicken inference on the tuna container! come on! i ain't bullshitt549ing you here! :-)
> Maybe we should request a board for Simpsons ? Think he would? :)
i wouldn't want to do that to homer...he might get blocked..indefinitely, i'm guessing..:)
ami :)
Posted by alesta on December 6, 2004, at 15:56:28
In reply to Re: politics board » Fallen4MyT, posted by alesta on December 6, 2004, at 15:48:38
um, i sort of forgot to delete some of the letters of the word bu**shi##ing in my message, even though i added some extra number symbols..it wasn't intentional, it was a mistake..nobody got hurt..me sorry. :-)
amy
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