![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 10 to 34 of 68. Go back in thread:
Posted by Toph on July 22, 2013, at 14:48:19
In reply to Re: Why Babble is in trouble..., posted by Moishe Pipik on July 22, 2013, at 10:44:42
> A lot has changed on the interwebs since the inception of Babble, especially Facebook, where users can pick and choose their contacts, content, sharing, etc., etc.. It appears that many Babblers or potential Babblers aren't comfortable with a totally open forum, having to see stuff they don't want to see, having their posts readable by everybody, and so on. Basically, Facebook allows a user to create his/her own customized community, and I think that's what many want and are used to, as opposed to Babble. Other online forums, as well, have features to hide content that's unwanted. Folks have more choices now, and more websites to compare Babble to. Perhaps, Babble is just plain obsolete in the current paradigm, especially considering how privacy-conscious many people have gotten since 2001. The stagnation of Babble in the past few years is perhaps proof that its attractiveness has simply given way to other more-customizable forums.
>
> On Facebook, if you don't like stuff posted by another, you can omit them from your news feed, or unfriend them altogether. In other online forums, you can selectively hide posts of others that you don't want to see. In Babble, you don't have such choices, and if you don't like something someone posts, your only recourse is to bitch to Bob.
Bob has commented on this. It seems he doesn't mind the differences...http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20130702/msgs/1046839.html
Posted by Moishe Pipik on July 22, 2013, at 15:26:27
In reply to Re: Why Babble is in trouble... » Moishe Pipik, posted by Toph on July 22, 2013, at 14:48:19
"Bob has commented on this. It seems he doesn't mind the differences..."
A cryptic comment, quite typical of Bob, who I think was a politician in another life.
"evolving"? Stagnating would be more accurate.
Posted by alexandra_k on July 22, 2013, at 18:30:30
In reply to Re: Why Babble is in trouble..., posted by Moishe Pipik on July 22, 2013, at 15:26:27
i think part of the peak was in the newness.
do we really want things to go back to then / there, though?
i think one of the major reasons for the reduction in posting numbers was that so many people were given lengthy blocks. like... me. don't know how many times i was blocked for one year. then other people seeing that and wondering whether they wanted to be part of a community where they could be blocked for one year for posting 'sh*t' without an asterisk (it would have seemed to them since they may not have had the context).
i remember spending a great number of hours here during my posting peak. i mean, really, at least 3 2 hour sessions per day. i remember checking the boards first thing in the morning then last thing in the evening. i remember some of those long admin threads would consume me for days. i remember my first anti-psychiatry exposure was with some blocked poster who posted under a different name... we had a back and forth on admin over the weekend... till bob came back on monday and reblocked him and removed the threads...
it was unsustainable. it was special, for sure, but... i don't think it was ultimately in my best interests for babble to mean that much to me. for me to give bob that much power over me. at least one of my blocks nearly killed me. well... i probably exaggerate... but it hurt. a whole f*ck*ng lot. really. and i am no wuss when it comes to tolerating physical pain.
do i really want things to go back to there?
i remember being so very happy indeed that we didn't get emoticons here. i'm glad babble didn't try and go all high tec. the verbal walls of texts encourage / are only likely to appeal to verbal posters, you see. i think people always thought that babble attracted a different kind of poster than psychcentral, and some of the other sites out there. i mean, a few people would post to both - but they posted differently at the different sites (myself included). i'm glad we aren't more like psychcentral.
i'd rather babble be as it is now than have the posting numbers of psychcentral.
Posted by Moishe Pipik on July 23, 2013, at 11:14:19
In reply to Why Babble is in trouble..., posted by Twinleaf on July 21, 2013, at 10:05:14
Persistence, something lauded by many, can also be a detriment to real progress. Seems Bob and Lou have this in common, with neither knowing when to give up and change course. Like global-warming deniers, they refuse to see the evidence as it really is. Babble has been running on fumes for YEARS, yet a persistent few, including Bob of course, continue to fan the dying flames, hoping against hope that it'll somehow do a "Phoenix" and rise from the ashes. It's been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. Seems there's an epidemic of that mentality, and it's quite apparent in this case. Put the damn thing out of its misery already.
Posted by alexandra_k on July 23, 2013, at 17:59:05
In reply to Re: Why Babble is in trouble..., posted by Moishe Pipik on July 23, 2013, at 11:14:19
> Babble has been running on fumes for YEARS, yet a persistent few, including Bob of course, continue to fan the dying flames, hoping against hope that it'll somehow do a "Phoenix" and rise from the ashes.
People seem to have this idea that the way things were... Around 2006... When there was the greatest number of posters / posts... That that is the ideal, somehow. The glory days.
People seem to have this idea that Bob's vision was to provide the biggest site, or something.
Was that the idea?
Was that the best time for Babble?
Around that time... I remember a lot of people reminiscing for 'the way things used to be'. Back when there was just one board, even. All the way back there...
Why think that things are worse now than they have ever been?
Things are different now, for sure, but why worse?
> Put the damn thing out of its misery already.
I find the way things are now to be helpful to me. If it wasn't... I wouldn't be here. Would you rather Bob shut it down so that form of help wasn't available to me anymore?
Really?
You can't do much (if anything) about others. You can only mind yourself, really. If you want Babble to be something different...
Well... What can you DO to contribute to that?
Up to you, really.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 23, 2013, at 21:15:24
In reply to Re: Why Babble is in trouble..., posted by Moishe Pipik on July 22, 2013, at 12:04:45
> whatever the f[*]ck those might be
Please don't use language that could offend others.
More information about posting policies is in the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 23, 2013, at 23:47:06
In reply to Re: Why Babble is in trouble..., posted by alexandra_k on July 23, 2013, at 17:59:05
> It used to be fun. Besides focusing on meds, depression, and all the other problems. There seemed to most of the time be a lot of humor mixed in. Which helped to lift moods and was just as I said fun. Now it is doom and gloom. I check daily hoping to find the babble of around 2006 back but it's not.
>
> Phillipa> It was once a wonderful forum
>
> TwinleafSo part of Babble feels it's doom and gloom.
> Why think that things are worse now than they have ever been?
>
> Things are different now, for sure, but why worse?
>
> I find the way things are now to be helpful to me. If it wasn't... I wouldn't be here.
>
> alexandra_kWhile another part of Babble feels it's OK.
Like a person who's depressed?
Bob
Posted by Twinleaf on July 24, 2013, at 14:14:46
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 23, 2013, at 23:47:06
Comparing views of Babble to emotional states in really not relevant or appropriate. There have been real changes, not just ones derived from our states of mind. It's simply a fact that there are far fewer posters, and even fewer posters posting in an intimate manner. Whether one is pleased or saddened by this fact is due to individual preference, but probably not to the amount of depression an individual may be feeling ( or not feeling).
Posted by rjlockhart37 on July 26, 2013, at 14:24:41
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble? » Dr. Bob, posted by Twinleaf on July 24, 2013, at 14:14:46
i've read some of the responses, yes babble is declined in some of the support, lost some of its life, but you know we can't look back to the past and say "oh it was better back then" what im saying is to focus on improving babble, but there is alot of obstacles in the way....not the posters, just the content that happened since 2006, it declined, but don't focus on how much it was better then, we can make it better than 2006....its just a part of things, like the stock market, it goes up to lively levels of properity and it also goes down to loss vary much to effecting the economy, similar to what happened in 2008 to the econemy....
another solution is needed, the past is the past, don't use it to current times, my view is the view the current time and plan more things from the present to progress into the future....just forget everything that was in the past, its the past....and of course there is alot of things that are causing decay to babble, but just like reforms in congress, there can be reforms to babble....the only thing that has cause decay is corruption...not to any posters here on babble, but just the format of how it changed into what it is now.
so....dr-bob created babble in 1997-98 it slowly began to grow....but the only thing to make it get out of the slump it is right now is reforms, and its hard to complete
maybe we can just suggest things, there is poster that causes anger, and sometimes makes people new to babble...to not post....so trying to get this poster who is a bit scary to new posters...he keeps doing the same format, even to rebuke and comlaints to his posting, its the same thing over again....im trying to think of something to change this format that keep repeating itself...rebuke and complaints are not effective, and can not terminate through the facebook delete or block...option, so the only way i see right now is to find out how this poster thinks, and to reason with him....
if things options cannot rule over, there is the option of redoing the format of the whole babble concept...starting a new forum website is difficut especially since it caues money, and ratings of viewers....
Posted by SLS on July 26, 2013, at 14:38:34
In reply to Re: redo everything, posted by rjlockhart37 on July 26, 2013, at 14:24:41
Tomorrow People
Tomorrow people, where is your past?
Tomorrow people, how long will you last?If you don't know your past, you don't know your future
- Ziggy Marley
Posted by rjlockhart37 on July 26, 2013, at 19:35:53
In reply to Re: redo everything, posted by SLS on July 26, 2013, at 14:38:34
yes, that it true, maybe I used too much of my personal views, but how I see it....for me, I've had good memories and experiences and not good...it's kind like having a file, you read the file, and yes like the quote you have to know the past, but keeping the past, and the knowedge and stuff....but to make new use both the past and ideas...thts what I kida wanted dr-bob to read mybe to redo some of the things to make babble more lively like I was 7 years ago....
but im not the one to rally make the descion, its the babble members.....im only suggesting maybe some options....don't want to have high in the sky ideas
thaks..
Posted by SLS on July 26, 2013, at 20:14:09
In reply to Re: redo everything, posted by rjlockhart37 on July 26, 2013, at 19:35:53
"Tomorrow People"
Tomorrow people, where is your past?
Tomorrow people, how long will you last?If you don't know your past, you don't know your future
- Ziggy Marley
> yes, that it true, maybe I used too much of my personal views, but how I see it....for me, I've had good memories and experiences and not good...it's kind like having a file, you read the file, and yes like the quote you have to know the past, but keeping the past, and the knowedge and stuff....but to make new use both the past and ideas...thts what I kida wanted dr-bob to read mybe to redo some of the things to make babble more lively like I was 7 years ago....
>
> but im not the one to rally make the descion, its the babble members.....im only suggesting maybe some options....don't want to have high in the sky ideas
> thaks..I guess there is a balance of sorts that allows one to live in the present and actualize the moment.
I like the way you think, by the way.
- Scott
Posted by alexandra_k on July 26, 2013, at 23:08:31
In reply to Re: blocked for week » Moishe Pipik, posted by Dr. Bob on July 23, 2013, at 21:15:24
> > whatever the f[*]ck those might be
>
> Please don't use language that could offend others.
>
> More information about posting policies is in the FAQ:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforce
>
> Follow-ups regarding these issues, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
>
> Thanks,
>
> BobI'm sorry you got blocked. I hope you come back when your block is up.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 26, 2013, at 23:17:48
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble? » Dr. Bob, posted by Twinleaf on July 24, 2013, at 14:14:46
> > So part of Babble feels it's doom and gloom.
> >
> > While another part of Babble feels it's OK.
> >
> > Like a person who's depressed?
>
> It's simply a fact that there are far fewer posters, and even fewer posters posting in an intimate manner. Whether one is pleased or saddened by this fact is due to individual preference, but probably not to the amount of depression an individual may be feeling ( or not feeling).1. That's a good point, feeling it's doom and gloom may just be a way of expressing a preference for a different state of affairs.
2. I didn't mean to imply that those who feel it's doom and gloom are depressed.
3. What I meant was, sometimes a person who's depressed feels it's doom and gloom on one level and on another level that it's OK, that "there's no reason" to feel it's doom and gloom. So in that way Babble could be like a person who's depressed.
Bob
Posted by sleepygirl2 on July 27, 2013, at 23:12:04
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 26, 2013, at 23:17:48
Dr bob, there's always a reason to see doom and gloom. ;-)
And maybe, there's always a reason to see things in a lighter/brighter way.
I don't know about all that.
But...I'm impressed that you've kept this site going.
I guess it must be worth it to you? Somehow?
I guess I've found reason enough for the past.... Uh, omg, like 10 years, to keep wandering around here.
And in that time, Facebook and twitter have become forces to be reckoned with! The Internet is craaaaazzzzy!
Posted by sigismund on July 28, 2013, at 1:59:28
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 26, 2013, at 23:17:48
> It's simply a fact that there are far fewer posters, and even fewer posters posting in an intimate manner.
How could anybody be pleased with that (except the person posting)?
Maybe some are?
Relishing disappointment as I do......
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 28, 2013, at 23:08:44
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by sigismund on July 28, 2013, at 1:59:28
> Dr bob, there's always a reason to see doom and gloom. ;-)
> And maybe, there's always a reason to see things in a lighter/brighter way.And maybe there's something to be said for being reminded of both.
> I'm impressed that you've kept this site going.
> I guess it must be worth it to you? Somehow?
> I guess I've found reason enough for the past.... Uh, omg, like 10 years, to keep wandering around here.
> And in that time, Facebook and twitter have become forces to be reckoned with! The Internet is craaaaazzzzy!
>
> sleepygirl2I guess it's worth it to all of us who are here. Do you get something out of Babble that you don't get out of FB and Twitter?
--
> > It's simply a fact that there are far fewer posters, and even fewer posters posting in an intimate manner.
>
> How could anybody be pleased with that (except the person posting)?
>
> sigismundI'm starting to appreciate some possible reasons:
1. They could feel less exposed.
2. They could feel it's more like a refuge.Bob
Posted by sleepygirl2 on July 28, 2013, at 23:31:47
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 28, 2013, at 23:08:44
Tweeting has never caught on with me.
Facebook.... I'm addicted to it, and I tend to fight with people there about politics, silly, silly, guaranteed to make me unhappy.
On PB, I'm anonymous, I'm talking about myself, maybe.
People tend to be more respectful. There's a few people here I like very much, because who they are comes through.
And, really, where else can I talk about meds and therapy.
On Facebook, the best thing I can do is post cute pictures of cats and stuff, and feel inferior for seeing the updates in my acquaintances lives.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 2013, at 2:35:24
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble? » Dr. Bob, posted by sleepygirl2 on July 28, 2013, at 23:31:47
> Facebook.... I'm addicted to it, and I tend to fight with people there about politics, silly, silly, guaranteed to make me unhappy.
> On Facebook, the best thing I can do is post cute pictures of cats and stuff, and feel inferior for seeing the updates in my acquaintances lives.> On PB, I'm anonymous, I'm talking about myself, maybe.
> People tend to be more respectful. There's a few people here I like very much, because who they are comes through.
> And, really, where else can I talk about meds and therapy.Hmm, maybe it makes sense for PB and FB to evolve in different directions, since they occupy different niches in the online ecosystem.
Bob
Posted by Poet on August 3, 2013, at 14:54:59
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 2013, at 2:35:24
Wow, I leave babble and the whole place seems to be in chaos. ;)
The reason my last post was sometime in late 2009 was that I am extremely private and was horrified that something I said would be linked to facebook.
If PB and FB went in different directions, it might bring back some old timers, like me.
Poet
Posted by alexandra_k on August 3, 2013, at 23:13:27
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Poet on August 3, 2013, at 14:54:59
welcome back :-)
Posted by Dinah on August 4, 2013, at 17:59:54
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Poet on August 3, 2013, at 14:54:59
I'm so happy to see you!
I've been wondering how you were. (Would you be interested in our Psychology Babble virtual reunion? I'd love to catch up and see how you were doing.)
Posted by Poet on August 5, 2013, at 12:50:02
In reply to Poet!!!!!!, posted by Dinah on August 4, 2013, at 17:59:54
Hi Alex and Dinah,
I've been lurking for the last few months and thought I'd post my thoughts on PB and FB. I think the virtual reunion seems safe enough, ie, confidential so sure I'll join in.
I'm doing okay, unemployed (AGAIN)so life seems to be going around and around once again.
Poet
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 5, 2013, at 18:35:30
In reply to Re: Poet!!!!!!, posted by Poet on August 5, 2013, at 12:50:02
> Hi Alex and Dinah,
>
> I've been lurking for the last few months and thought I'd post my thoughts on PB and FB. I think the virtual reunion seems safe enough, ie, confidential so sure I'll join in.
>
> I'm doing okay, unemployed (AGAIN)so life seems to be going around and around once again.
>
> PoetHi there, I was drawn back too.
Ain't life a hoot.PC
Posted by rjlockhart37 on August 6, 2013, at 0:32:09
In reply to Re: Is Babble in trouble?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 2013, at 2:35:24
yea dr-bob, i've posted similar things here on babble to facebook , i got deletion extreme, its more of a social thing...babble is just lol babble...
and one thing i've got to lay off doing is talking so much here....i do want to help build this site more like a info database....for medical stuff....
but really i talk too much here, silence really could be golden and have simple reponses...write too much.....
but yea babble is just babble in itself lol
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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