Posted by Dinah on September 5, 2004, at 12:51:27 [reposted on September 6, 2004, at 23:07:03 | original URL]
In reply to It's for reasons just like this...Bob, posted by Greg on September 5, 2004, at 1:45:21
I don't understand the continual preoccupation with Babble as research. It is not currently considered research, and I'm not sure it ever should have been. It has always seemed more like case studies than research, not that I'm an expert. But the experts *have* ruled that it is not currently research, so I think people can relax about the lab rat thing.
The fact that Dr. Bob is held in low regard by at least one peer hasn't been news for a long time. I remember reading something negative about Dr. Bob in that someone's weblog what seems like years ago. I have no idea if he makes other similar comments during his weekly chats or in other semi-private places. But I do remember the entry in the weblog. When I read it, it didn't cause me to respect *Dr. Bob* any less. And when Dr. Bob didn't reply in kind - at least in public (I have no earthly idea what he says in private), it made my respect for Dr. Bob skyrocket. And made me realize that Dr. Bob's Babble is my cyber home. If he ever finds he can't take the hassle of runnng Babble any longer, or if I'm ever forced to leave here for whatever reason, I'll make do with my real life and my therapist. Perhaps it is my internalization of my own profession's expectations of conduct that caused me to react that way. Perhaps not.
Greg, you've always been a favorite Babbler of mine. And I'm glad you found a cyberhome where you feel comfortable.
But Dr. Bob having a general rule against soliciting funds doesn't seem that awful to me. I have the most immense fondness for the poster in question here. I would happily send her an early Birthday/Holiday gift, especially if it helps her join us again soon.
But Babble is full of posters in need. Posters that can't afford their daily meds. Posters who are losing their homes. I've often been frustrated at my inability to help more tangibly. But if Dr. Bob allowed appeals for help here, I'd be more frustrated by the overwhelming need and my lack of ability to meet it. I'd be frustrated trying to decide where I should allocate my limited funds. I'd be worried that there would be implicit expectations. If you helped XXX why not YYY. Do you like XXX better? It's a good general rule for the board, and the posters who posted knew the likely result.
And if Dr. Bob were conducting research, which he is not by the definitions of his governing authority, I would think the complex interactions that would result by allowing appeals for money on the board would produce much better fodder than disallowing all such appeals.
poster:Dinah
thread:387417
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040902/msgs/387419.html