LymeNet Flash: The Medium is the Message Board

This is topic The Medium is the Message Board in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/3/20528

Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :

Media analyst Marshall McLuhan wrote that "the medium is the message," meaning that the method used for conveying information sends its own message.

Lymenet Flash is a message board, or ultimate bulletin board (UBB):

-- Online message boards are designed as a way to post an idea to the Internet and be responded to by others. The responses might agree, disagree, or add additional information.

-- Message boards are organized by conversation threads, with the most recently added-to thread at the top. The starter of the thread names the topic, and the responses read consecutively like a live conversation with various speakers.

Here are a bunch of my observations, based on several years of posting on several different boards:

1.) One of the biggest drawbacks to a message board is that you cannot hear the tone or see the body language of the speaker. Graemlins (sometimes called emoticons, those little cartoon guys [Big Grin]

) can sometimes help convey attitude.

2.) A few posters will often tend to dominate a board by the frequency of their posts, perhaps from wanting to help and/or because they have the time. These people may stay forever on a board, or may come and go, but just like a person who dominates a live conversation, the talk must work with or around the frequent talker.

3.) Some posters may want to try and control the conversation by limiting or minimizing responses. They may create their own rules, insult those who disagree, complain to the moderator, or form alliances behind the scenes.

But the only one who can limit free speech on a message board is the moderator, who usually sets up guidelines for posting and a system for monitoring, warning, and banning errant posters. My favorite boards are those who allow for healthy discussion and disagreement, without allowing insults.

4.) The poster who asks a question and gets no replies looks like a party-goer with body odor, who everyone is avoiding! [Big Grin]

5.) The thread with no disagreements gives the impression that everyone on the board pretty much agrees with them.

6.) For every question asked or logical comment made, there are probably several lurkers who had the same thought.

-- Shaz

Posted by not so sublime lyme (Member # 15185) on :

Shaz,

This is fantastic! And sounds exactly like us! [Roll Eyes]

Jeanne

Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :

I also agree with your observations. They are good and valid, in my opinion. Good thing for everyone to think about.

I've also posted on many message boards over the past 7 years. Some allow free speech, as long as it doesn't hurt others by statements in it. That is the middle ground from my perspective.

Some allow just about anything to be said, and it causes a lot of hurt feelings. This is one extreme, and I've been to this type of board, but didn't stay.

Then there is the other extreme where the moderators don't allow anything they don't agree with. I've been on this type of board also and left when they started banning people for no good reason.

I consider Lymenet to be the middle ground. Like most such boards sometimes things slip through the cracks, but overall the board is a friendly place to be.

However recently there seem to be more attacks on people who are actually named in posts. That brings the tone of the board down and hurts the feelings of many. Some stop posting for a while, and others leave for good.

Thanks for posting this. I hope it will be well read and make some stop and think about what type of poster they are.

Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :

My eyes are fading fast so was not able to read what others wrote.

I just wanted to add that I feel some people just have a conflict/strife personality.

I recently was watching Dr. Amen on PBS and he talked about this kind of person but he called it something else.

Someone in his family is this way. I do recall he needed to give them two choices.

And also reverse pyschology works in these cases.

Me...I just try to avoid them if at all possible.

He also mentioned diet. I think carbs are good for this type of person and chocolate.

For example: he had a patient whose wife would never got out to eat with him.

He would always has her to come along and she went into a tantrum type of answer.

he had him change the question to I am going to go out and get a bite to eat, I know you don't want to go with me so I will see you later or something to that affect.

Guess what. She wanted to go.

ADD is part of this but didn't make the connection.

They also talk about others a lot and they aren't doing things right when they are not even trying to do what the the person they are talking is acomplishing.

Ok getting too foggy.

Dr. Amen use to have a web site on line and most likely still does if you are interested in knowing more.

I saw him speak in person over a 3 day seminar in the 90's.

He also does the brain scans that show which part of the brain is struggling, etc.

Posted by not so sublime lyme (Member # 15185) on :

I like the idea of chocolate as medicine!

Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :

Kam -- What you wrote made me think of the phrase -- You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Shaz --Good insights.

From reading the board over the last few years I have gotten to know what type of info to expect from certain posters because lots of people have "pet subjects".

It is the same with docs -- certain docs have preferred styles of treatment and favorite meds -- not saying anyone is right or wrong. But people tend to post what they know the most about or what they are the most interested in.

I am not going to name any names, but if you are interested in magnesium then read posts by xxx, or if you want to know about herbs or detoxification or mercury then read posts by xxx or xxx, or the expert on babs is xxx, or if you want to know what the newest treatment from Dr X is then read posts by xxx or xxx ...

If you are new to the board you probably don't know the names, but I am sure many of the oldies can fill in the blanks.

I do read some of the other boards from time to time, but LymeNet is where I hang out most as I like the format and style of posting here best.

Although hubby has been ill for over 7 years and in treatment for almost 5 years I still have lots to learn.

I still remember the psychiatrist who asked hubby what he did with all his time??? Anyone who has to ask an acutely ill undiagnosed and untreated patient (at the time) a question like that obviously has no understanding of what it is like to deal with a chronic illness.

I think most of you here can relate to my frustration in dealing with docs like this.

Healing thoughts to everyone.

Bea Seibert

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

bea, excellent summary; when you stated you have so much MORE to learn ... you are one of lyme guru experts here and we appreciate you more than you know!! [group hug]

shaz good post! [Wink]