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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
like conspiracies...
So what if some of the posters here are NOT real, in the sense of being real people, but are made-up personalities used to test us and our responses?
What if an on-line moderator decided to create a few really interesting/flawed/trouble-making characters from time to time, just to stir things up and see what happens?
I don't necessarily think that goes on. But it sure would be interesting if it DID happen. Although since there's really no way to verify it, of course, it's kind of a moot point. (Would it be unethical? Amoral?)
I'm not trying to stir up trouble, and I'm not feeling paranoid. I'm just thinking about psychology and psychological experiments...and wondering. This being the internet, sometimes it's hard to know, you know what I mean?
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:54:52
In reply to OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
and what if I really started to like some of the made-up people? Would that be a tribute to my weakness, or a tribute to the creative imagination of the author? hmmmm.
JenStar
Posted by Deneb on March 3, 2006, at 18:21:40
In reply to OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
I would have a big problem with such an experiment....to have someone toy with my emotions like that.
I think such an experiment would be totally unethical. I think it's akin to someone pretending to be suicidal and laughing about it when people get worried. That is totally unacceptable IMO.
Deneb
Posted by sleepygirl on March 3, 2006, at 18:55:03
In reply to OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
this has occurred to me, and I do think it's possible...I'm actually a man named Roy in his 60's (ha, ha just kidding), but seriously I do think it is possible.
I sometimes think that what may be of interest on this board is the way we behave in groups online, group mentality, and maybe sometimes how we deal with conflict, disagreement (blocks maybe ;-)
Sometimes people are obviously here just to stir up trouble or certain responses etc. - Why?....of their own accord, or not, that's not for me to say I guess
I just know that a psych student would likely learn a lot here, from a distance or otherwise
Posted by madeline on March 3, 2006, at 19:00:38
In reply to OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
well, I've wondered the same thing lately. Seriously, almost verbatim to what you posted. It would be sooo easy to do to. If someone really had a mind to do it, and was borderline smart, they could.
I don't think it would be for purposes of kicking people off babble, but just to stir things up, like a psychotroll.
Posted by sleepygirl on March 3, 2006, at 19:00:53
In reply to OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
Is it unethical?
well that depends on how the subject studied is affected maybe? or is it enough that they are just deceived?
just because no one is hurt does that make it OK?
that's the thing about the internet....you don't really always "know" who you're talking to
Posted by Dinah on March 3, 2006, at 19:46:49
In reply to OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
I doubt that a monitor would do that, but it's occasionally occurred to me that psych students were on here with assumed personas. And of course there are no real ways of knowing. I think the best way for me to protect myself is to know that such things can happen.
But then I tend to be a bit cynical.
Posted by Racer on March 3, 2006, at 20:55:24
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who » JenStar, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:54:52
> and what if I really started to like some of the made-up people? Would that be a tribute to my weakness, or a tribute to the creative imagination of the author? hmmmm.
>
> JenStarI don't think it would be that different than any other fictional character. Don't you cry every time Lily Bart dies? And don't you want to sit Elizabeth Bennett down for a good talking to when Wickham begins to confide in her? I love knowing that Lizzie is my friend, whenever I need her, just as I love knowing that I can have an interaction here when I need it.
And it's funny -- that thought has come up before, although I've always heard it through email rather than seeing it on the board. "Do you think Dr Bob could be [x], testing us?"
It would be unethical, which wouldn't stop everyone, but I don't think Dr Bob would do such a thing. Especially since the ethical lapse would interfere with publication of any research based on this site. There's really nothing in it for Dr Bob.
Other people, though, have done that sort of thing. We've had a number of people post under multiple names -- as if you hadn't noticed ;-} -- which is a part of why this site has such bars against that.
OK, who's gonna collaborate on the novel about that? lol Just struck me that would be interesting to read... Someone better get on to writing it...
Posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 21:58:56
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those w » JenStar, posted by Racer on March 3, 2006, at 20:55:24
Racer, yes, I *do* want to shake Elizabeth! That's one of my favorite books. :) And Dinah, I think you're right - a bit of cynicism can always help protect.
I mean, *I'm* real (for the most part...not that I lie, or anything, but naturally I leave huge chunks out of what I say to protect myself.)
I think it WOULD be easy to assume an identity, and kind of fun too. Not that I would do it -- but I wouldn't be surprised if I somehow found out that others were.
I guess I just wanted to SAY that I thought it was possible, so that just in CASE someone is pretending...now they know that I know it's possible, and I'm not a total infaturated dork, and that I *am* cynical to some degree, but I'm CHOOSING to act like everyone here is real because it's more fun that way. But - I'm not so dumb that I completely believe 100% that everyone MUST be real, just because it is the internet.
Whew. Had to get that off my chest. Why it's important to me to say that, I'm not sure...but I feel better having said it.
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 22:01:30
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who » JenStar, posted by sleepygirl on March 3, 2006, at 18:55:03
Well, Roy, ya old dog, how's the truckin' lately?
Haha. You're just about the furthest thing from a 60-Roy that I can imagine! :)I agree, I think a psych student could get a lot out of this board. At least the clever ones, who like to read and think. Not that most DON'T (no offense, please!) -- but I think it takes a certain kind of person.
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 22:02:16
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by madeline on March 3, 2006, at 19:00:38
yes! I've wondered it before, but it comes back to haunt me. I suppose because I can never really know, so from time to time I get curious.
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 22:07:08
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by Deneb on March 3, 2006, at 18:21:40
Well, it's weird to think that someone might be doing it, but not to KNOW. I guess we all need to have a bit of thick skin, just in case, right?
And if someone WAS doing it, I'd feel better thinking that they were not doing it to be mean or twisted, but only to learn. It wouldn't make me feel GREAT - but better.
But I'm fairly certain that most people here ARE real, at least to the extent that anyone can be real on the internet. Posting habits over time lead to trust, I guess. It would have to be one seriously dedicated "cheater" to maintain a uniquely fake identity for so long! (possible, but rare, right?)
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 22:13:47
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those w » Racer, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 21:58:56
OK, I think I wanted to say all that because:
In case there ARE any "fakes," I want them to know that I'm OK with it, in a way; I know it could happen and I wouldn't be devastated or broken up or down on myself if I happened to get fooled.
If I get fooled, oh well - it happens. The joke wouldn't really be on me, even though I was taken in, because I wouldn't be all that upset. I'd probably say, "Oh gosh, I thought that person was real," muse about it for a while, and then forget it. SO - if someone IS in fact faking it to get a reaction later on, or to have a private chuckle...the joke might actually be on you in the end. Because it's only really worthwhile if you get a huge reaction, right?
(Of course, I could hear people saying: "She's protesting too much! She really does care!")
It's late...but I guess I felt like sharing that emotion of mine.
good nite, ya'all.
JenStar
Posted by Toph on March 4, 2006, at 16:37:29
In reply to OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who, posted by JenStar on March 3, 2006, at 17:53:34
It's been pondered before Jen.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040927/msgs/400351.html
Posted by JenStar on March 4, 2006, at 16:39:42
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who » JenStar, posted by Toph on March 4, 2006, at 16:37:29
cool! Thanks for posting that. It's most interesting. :)
JenStar
Posted by Toph on March 4, 2006, at 17:11:14
In reply to Re: OK, here's a really weird thought, for those who » Toph, posted by JenStar on March 4, 2006, at 16:39:42
Oops, I hope I didn't do something uncivil by posting this because Bob didn't like it before and I forgot about his reaction.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040927/msgs/400811.html
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