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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by partlycloudy on April 1, 2005, at 14:09:40
In reply to Re: April fools? Yes.... » Dinah, posted by TofuEmmy on April 1, 2005, at 14:07:41
(In my family it was another exuse to be mean.) Emmy, I am so sorry. Another flub for the cloud.
Posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 14:10:57
In reply to Re: April fools? Yes.... » TofuEmmy, posted by partlycloudy on April 1, 2005, at 14:09:40
My family never noticed it. I always got a nasty surprise when I went to school. :)
Posted by Tabitha on April 1, 2005, at 14:27:39
In reply to Re: humor, posted by justyourlaugh on April 1, 2005, at 13:40:02
> i told the kids this morning because of the pending teachers stike..they wouls have to go to school on saturdays...
> my son cried...i felt so bad:(
> i put an old potatoes in his lunch too...
> jNow that's funny. Jyl, you rock!
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on April 1, 2005, at 16:22:31
In reply to Re: humor, posted by TofuEmmy on April 1, 2005, at 13:22:05
That was funny! Especially the part about him now being able to buy the wide-screen t.v he wants. Thanks Em
Posted by Jai Narayan on April 2, 2005, at 7:57:26
In reply to Re: humor » TofuEmmy, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on April 1, 2005, at 16:22:31
it's the day my boyfriend was killed in a motorcycle accident.
I was 17 years old.
so the day holds no humor for me.
sorry to be such a bummer....
on such a funny day.
Ja*
Posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 9:47:45
In reply to April Fools day is a bummer for me....sigh, posted by Jai Narayan on April 2, 2005, at 7:57:26
I'm sorry, Jai. Loss is hard at any time. But to have it associated with a day that is brought forcefully to your consciousness each year must be especially difficult.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 12:59:27
In reply to Pfizer is now sponsoring PsychCentral !!! :-(, posted by TofuEmmy on April 1, 2005, at 10:45:38
> I can NOT believe John Grohol would stoop this low!!!
>
>
> Read the announcement at the top of the page:
>
> http://forums.psychcentral.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=generalmhI was *mildly* amused, the first time I saw the displayed "advertising", but became more and more offended each and every time I saw it.
Am I the only one that takes offense to "Happy Pills" as a pharmaceutical sponsored banner for discussion boards which are full of spiritual pain and anguish?
I am being chastised for chastising Dr. Grohol. Seeking third party perceptions. Here's exactly what I said: "April fool's or not, I did not enjoy looking at the "Happy Pills" logo all day. Antidepressants are not "Happy Pills". There are no "Happy Pills". I felt condescended and trivialized by the very words themselves.
I think the logo showed poor judgment."
Comments?
Lar
Posted by TofuEmmy on April 2, 2005, at 13:02:35
In reply to Re: Pfizer link offensive » TofuEmmy, posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 12:59:27
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on April 2, 2005, at 13:06:28
In reply to Good gravy, let it rest. (nm) » Larry Hoover, posted by TofuEmmy on April 2, 2005, at 13:02:35
oh my yes. shame on me it gave me a smile..
I actually took at as sarcasm on the happy pills..everyone knows they don't exist, but it won't stop companies from trying to say they do..
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 13:22:47
In reply to Good gravy, let it rest. (nm) » Larry Hoover, posted by TofuEmmy on April 2, 2005, at 13:02:35
The help I will. I started a new thread, as Doc John terminated the last one by disabling the reply button.
http://forums.psychcentral.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=135684&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
Posted by TofuEmmy on April 2, 2005, at 13:33:38
In reply to Re: Good gravy, let it rest. » TofuEmmy, posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 13:22:47
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on April 2, 2005, at 13:39:11
In reply to Re: Good gravy, let it rest. » TofuEmmy, posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 13:22:47
> The help I will. I started a new thread, as Doc John terminated the last one by disabling the reply button.
>
> http://forums.psychcentral.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=135684&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1Of all the things to get on a soapbox about.. geez
Posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 13:45:16
In reply to Re: Pfizer link offensive » TofuEmmy, posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 12:59:27
Hello Larry :-)
>I think the logo showed poor judgment.......
I must admit that I didn't see it... but it does sound rather tasteless to me.
>Antidepressants are not "Happy Pills".
Well, I must say, I've taken plenty of antidepressants and none of them have made me happy. I do think I've gained some slight benefit but I've also suffered numerous side effects as well.
I am sorry that you were offended. It seems strange that Dr. Grohol blocked replies, how frustrating.
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on April 2, 2005, at 13:51:29
In reply to Re: Good gravy, let it rest. » Larry Hoover, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on April 2, 2005, at 13:39:11
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 15:48:58
In reply to Re: Pfizer link offensive » Larry Hoover, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2005, at 13:45:16
> I am sorry that you were offended. It seems strange that Dr. Grohol blocked replies, how frustrating.
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.Thanks, Ed. I've had much different sorts of reactions from other people.
I started a new thread to make clear just what it was that offended me, and Poof! it's gone. That is how things are managed, yonder. Not a word from the administrator. Just Poof!
Just for the record (as the record itself went Poof!), I compared an hypothetical banner, which might read "Forums Sponsored by Pfizer" to the actual one "Pfizer Happy Pills Forums". They are non-equivalent, and it is precisely the nature of the non-equivalence which is offensive. The only place you see the phrase "happy pills" is in the lay press, or coming from the mouth of one of the "ignorant masses" (sorry, but stereotypes can be useful). I've never ever heard that phrase used in an empathetic or considerate way. It perpetuates a stigma, one directed specifically at an identifiable disabled group, the depressed. One must always be on guard against agents which perpetuate these stigmae, lest their messages become internalized. A mental health professional ought never be seen to invigorate such misperceptions.
I PM'd Doc John, and he was dismissive, and refused to discuss my concerns.
I didn't much care for the environment before (too many annoying little smiley thingies), and I find I like it less today. We'll see how I feel when a little time has passed.
Lar
Posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 16:40:04
In reply to Re: Pfizer link offensive » ed_uk, posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 15:48:58
((((Lar))))
FWIW, I think everyone's experience should be respected. What's humor to one person is frequently hurtful to another, and while that shouldn't stop humor in its tracks, I think the hurt should at least be acknowledged.
We all bring our own experiences into any given situation, and I for one have been told to lighten up one or two times too many. So feel free to express your displeasure to me.
When I saw it, I remembered it was April Fools Day, and while I didn't find it particularly amusing, I also didn't find it particularly offensive. But tons of people Love Lucy, while I usually have to change the channel because I'm writhing in embarassment.
One of my least favorite attitudes toward jokes is that they need to have a target to be funny. I've even quit laughing at lawyer jokes. And I'll stop laughing at pdoc jokes really soon, I promise. :)
I find Dr. Bob one of the funniest guys alive (other than my husband and Rowan Atkinson and Weird Al and Lemony Snicket and a few other professionals), but I've had a few people tell me they find his humor hurtful. And I *think* it's been my experience that he apologizes if he discovers that his humor has offended.
Which is my long winded way of saying humor is not just humor. And that the receiver of humor can interpret it in as many ways as it can be meant, and not necessarily the way that it was intended.
So Lar, I'll put a comradely arm around your shoulders and tell you "No need to lighten up! You're entitled to your reaction.", just as I'd tell Emmy she doesn't need to stop laughing. I understand why you're upset, even if I'm not upset myself. And I understand why Emmy finds it funny, even if I didn't.
(But poofing tho. If Dr. Bob is disappointed that the gated communities didn't drive me from Babble, he could try again with poofing. My therapist is trying to teach me that the best way to deal with discord in a relationship is to respectfully address it, anger and all. But I think I prefer my family of origin where anger was expressed disrespectfully and clung to forever to a family where discord got poofed. That's just me. I wonder if there have been any studies on the matter. But for those who like an anger/discord poofed environment, that's cool too. We all have our ways of dealing with things.)
Posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 16:40:27
In reply to Re: Pfizer link offensive » ed_uk, posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 15:48:58
> > I am sorry that you were offended. It seems strange that Dr. Grohol blocked replies, how frustrating.
Thats how things tend to be dealt with... Instead of blocking people I suppose.
> I started a new thread to make clear just what it was that offended me, and Poof! it's gone. That is how things are managed, yonder. Not a word from the administrator. Just Poof!
Yup.
Not even an explanation.
> I PM'd Doc John, and he was dismissive, and refused to discuss my concerns.Yup. Thats how you are supposed to deal with admin issues - for all the good it actually does you...
I understand your upset Larry.
I find it a little tasteless myself.
But that is probably coloured by my seeing the whole idea of April Fools as tasteless. We don't really do it over here (thank God). It is the first of April and I managed to make a fool of you. Charming. Charming indeed.
Posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 16:54:56
In reply to Re: Pfizer link offensive, posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 16:40:27
> It is the first of April and I managed to make a fool of you. Charming. Charming indeed.
>
>
Chuckle. You've captured my sentiments on the subject. I wonder where the custom came from?And don't get me started on practical jokes. Those seem like thinly veiled hostility to me. But then I've often been accused of being humorless.
Posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 16:58:11
In reply to April first » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 16:54:56
IMO there is a difference between laughing WITH someone and laughing AT someone...
But IMO Americans have a funny sense of humour at times...
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on April 2, 2005, at 17:02:31
In reply to Re: Pfizer link offensive, posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 16:40:27
Did anyone really think Dr. John was insinuating that Happy Pills really exist? It looked to me like he was mocking Pfizers (and other drug companies advertising campaigns not people with depression--quite the opposite, empathising with the b.s they have to listen to.
Posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 17:02:51
In reply to Re: April first » Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 16:58:11
We aren't monolithic you know. :)
Posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 17:04:06
In reply to April first » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 16:54:56
I wasn't quite sure what you meant by 'poofing'. Do you mean that posts just vanish out of thin air??
If so then I have also expressed that that might be the one thing that would drive me from Babble. People vanishing my posts (that aren't grossly uncivil).
I am reminded of something on the FAQ's here. About how when you join up it takes you a bit to learn what the rules are and learn that you have to play by them. Once you get that then you tend to be accepted by the community.
I never felt that I was properly accepted at PC - but then I was still getting a grip on what the rules were and I made the decision that I would rather leave than play by them.
Posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 17:05:47
In reply to Re: April first » Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 17:04:06
Yeah, I was just echoing Lar's phraseology.
Maybe it's nothing more than I HATE not knowing what's going on. :)
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 17:18:58
In reply to Re: April first » Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on April 2, 2005, at 17:04:06
> I wasn't quite sure what you meant by 'poofing'. Do you mean that posts just vanish out of thin air??
The whole thread just disappeared, and there is not the slightest evidence that it even existed. Not a PM to explain the disappearance. Nothing. Just a vanishing act. Seems very much like what the Soviets did with their history books. Disappear the evidence. Ignore the living.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 2, 2005, at 17:19:31
In reply to Humor » Larry Hoover, posted by Dinah on April 2, 2005, at 16:40:04
> ((((Lar))))
>
> FWIW, I think everyone's experience should be respected. What's humor to one person is frequently hurtful to another, and while that shouldn't stop humor in its tracks, I think the hurt should at least be acknowledged.Thank you. Thank you, very much.
Lar
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