![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jay2112 on March 1, 2023, at 12:13:31
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture (By Gabor and Daniel Mate)
The BEST book I have read, in years!! 'Normal' is b*llsh*t. That's why we all take pills, to feel 'normal'. But, it doesn't exist. NOT saying we should overlook suffering, but much of it is because of this toxic culture: toxic masculinity,toxic capitalism, and the campaign to escape it all.
Definitely make this your next read. You WON'T regret it!!
Posted by SLS on March 1, 2023, at 22:49:58
In reply to The myth of 'normal'...., posted by Jay2112 on March 1, 2023, at 12:13:31
Hi, Jay.
I am sad that you are not doing well at the moment.
Please don't take this personally. It is a commentary on the authors of the book you suggested and how they must certainly treat the word "NORMAL". I have not read the book - only your description and the book's title. I doubt I need to know anything more in order to render an opinion on their depiction of the word. It serves their purposes, but does not serve society. It only obfuscates accuracy and objectivity. Let the authors open up a dictionary.
I think the definition of "NORMAL" that you refer to is b*llsh*t. It might be a means by which to market an idea and publish a book. Perhaps that is a cynical point of view, but I abhor watching people attempt to quell their fears of being rejected by society by using a word for which they never offer a definition for. Pop-culture has adopted a pejorative sense of the word to rebel against conformity and labels. It is often used by people in order to avoid feeling "ABNORMAL" - sick, damaged, or shunned.
* Dictionary Definition:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/normal
Does the whole of this definition agree with the authors of the book you referred to (By Gabor and Daniel Mate)? What is the authors' definition of "NORMAL"?
The word "NORMAL" is used in statistics, and is most often referred to as a "normal distribution". "NORMAL" is a range defined within a bell-shaped curve.
* Statistical definition of normal:
https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/pmc/section5/pmc51.htm
https://statisticsbyjim.com/basics/normal-distribution/
Do you see any pejorative definitions or references in these citations? I don't. Pick one for us to examine if you are so inclined. Is the presentation of your mental illness NORMAL, or is it idiosyncratic for your diagnosis? My depressive disorder is NORMAL (for the diagnosis of bipolar depression).
While we are on the subject, it appears to me that the symptomatology of bipolar depression approximates a hybrid of melancholic (endogenous) depression and atypical depression. That might offer a clue when diagnosing bipolar disorder.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 3, 2023, at 18:23:10
In reply to The myth of 'normal'...., posted by Jay2112 on March 1, 2023, at 12:13:31
> The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture (By Gabor and Daniel Mate)
>
> The BEST book I have read, in years!! 'Normal' is b*llsh*t. That's why we all take pills, to feel 'normal'. But, it doesn't exist. NOT saying we should overlook suffering, but much of it is because of this toxic culture: toxic masculinity,toxic capitalism, and the campaign to escape it all.
>
> Definitely make this your next read. You WON'T regret it!!
This is important stuff.Would you care to carry this conversation further? If so, I would need to know:
1. What is your definition of the word, "NORMAL"?
2. What is the definition of the word "NORMAL" as used by the authors?
By the way, my pills don't make me "NORMAL". They just make me feel good - mentally healthy.Do your pills make you feel better? If so, then how do they exert this effect? If not, then why do you still take them? Is it a placebo effect? If so, then why do you take them?
Is "NORMAL" really a myth? No. It is not. It clearly is not a myth according to dictionaries and statisticians. It is not normal to define "NORMAL" as being a myth - statistically speaking, of course. Perhaps someone has taken a poll in the general population.
I think the use of the word "NORMAL" by the authors is b*llsh*t. I'm sure it serves to sell books. No one wants to feel that society thinks of them as being "ABNORMAL". The opposite of "NORMAL" is not "ABNORMAL". This is where I think the title becomes a ploy.
By the way, I managed to heal quite well in this "toxic culture" the authors refer to. So have many others. Everyone has their own recipes, I guess.
Vindication?
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on March 4, 2023, at 14:22:17
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'...., posted by SLS on March 3, 2023, at 18:23:10
My therapist's definition is 'what most people deem benificial'.
Not 'the average'.
Posted by SLS on March 4, 2023, at 19:11:03
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'...., posted by Lamdage22 on March 4, 2023, at 14:22:17
> My therapist's definition is 'what most people deem benificial'.
>
> Not 'the average'.
Here's the most salient question:What is the myth that the authors refer to?
Everyone has an opinion. I like mine. Doesn't deeming anything as being beneficial require a subjective judgment? I'm glad you used quotes, Lamdage.I know this is stating the obvious, but what's normal for me is not normal for you. Simple. Unfortunately, this appropriate use of the word "NORMAL" goes unacknowledged by the authors of the book. The authors must first demonize the word "NORMAL" in order to make their thesis work.
Example #1: Am I normal if I criticize these authors? Am I abnormal if I don't? What are the enumerated criteria used to judge someone as being "NORMAL"?Example #2: Is it normal for me to criticize these authors? I'll keep a personal log in order to produce statistics in order to determine if this behavior is normal for me.
#1 requires observing billions of people in order to answer the question.#2 requires observing the behavior of only one person.
American society isn't universally caustic. Individuals are. One should try to surround themselves ourself with them. That's on you. Hopefully, you will be attracted to honest people who maintain their integrity, and who leave you with positive energy.
It appears to me that it is normal for people to worry about being abnormal at some point in their lives.
This looked interesting:Am I okay? Is what Im doing, thinking, or feeling acceptable?
This is quite normal. A lot of people have the same sort of experience.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-future-self/201812/am-i-normal
- Scott
Posted by Jay2112 on March 4, 2023, at 22:09:28
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'...., posted by SLS on March 3, 2023, at 18:23:10
Scott:
I understand your points, but it would be best if you read the book. I was under a mild hypomania when I posted, and have no energy to write or debate extensively what is explained in Dr. Mate's book. Believe me, though, it goes way beyond my silly little post. I think I did allure, though, that this is no Szasz-like indulgence. Dr. Mate also describes his excellent experience with psychedelics.
Jay
Posted by SLS on March 4, 2023, at 23:34:08
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by Jay2112 on March 4, 2023, at 22:09:28
> Scott:
>
> I understand your points, but it would be best if you read the book. I was under a mild hypomania when I posted, and have no energy to write or debate extensively what is explained in Dr. Mate's book. Believe me, though, it goes way beyond my silly little post. I think I did allure, though, that this is no Szasz-like indulgence. Dr. Mate also describes his excellent experience with psychedelics.
>
> JayWhat is the myth?
How do the authors depict or conceptualize the word "normal"? Maybe they grew up worrying that they might be "abnormal". Lots of people experience this fear at some point in their lives. There were times when I did. The easiest way to avoid feeling "abnormal" is to convince yourself that there is no such thing as "normal". But there is. De facto, it is normal to be unique. Teach that.
I doubt I will make the time to read a book with such a caustic title, despite any valuable lessons that it might offer people. Besides, what I'm not doing is working very well for me.
-----------------
Is there any regularity in your mood changes? Do you have a "hard" cycle which doesn't deviate throughout the year? I was an ultra-rapid cycler for about two years beginning at age 21. I had an eleven-day cycle beginning at age 21. I spent 8 days in a state of severe depression followed by a switch into a state of near-remission. This cycle skipped only once during during those two years. Once I read the book "Mood Swing" by R. R. Fieve, I recognized the regularity of my changes in mood. In fact, I began to keep a social calendar around my cycle. My first exposure to lithium abolished the cycle entirely, and it never returned.
- Scott
Posted by undopaminergic on March 5, 2023, at 10:02:50
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » Jay2112, posted by SLS on March 4, 2023, at 23:34:08
>
> I doubt I will make the time to read a book with such a caustic title, despite any valuable lessons that it might offer people.
>Dr. Gabor Mate also wrote the book "Scattered Minds", which contains the best depiction of AD(H)D that I've come across. So maybe he's pretty good?
-undopaminergic
Posted by SLS on March 5, 2023, at 18:50:53
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'...., posted by undopaminergic on March 5, 2023, at 10:02:50
> >
> > I doubt I will make the time to read a book with such a caustic title, despite any valuable lessons that it might offer people.
> >
>
> Dr. Gabor Mate also wrote the book "Scattered Minds", which contains the best depiction of AD(H)D that I've come across. So maybe he's pretty good?
>
> -undopaminergic
>Good versus bad is a subjective judgment, and depends upon who the observer is.
It is rare that a person should be all good or all bad, regardless of how one defines what "good" is. The same dynamic exists when people determine for themselves what "normal" is for all mankind. I trust that you interpreted the words of the author in a way that you find valuable.
I'm glad these folks were able to enhance the quality of your life with their books. I don't know if that's normal, though.
;-)
- Scott
Posted by undopaminergic on March 6, 2023, at 0:12:09
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » undopaminergic, posted by SLS on March 5, 2023, at 18:50:53
> > >
> > > I doubt I will make the time to read a book with such a caustic title, despite any valuable lessons that it might offer people.
> > >
> >
> > Dr. Gabor Mate also wrote the book "Scattered Minds", which contains the best depiction of AD(H)D that I've come across. So maybe he's pretty good?
> >
> > -undopaminergic
> >
>
> Good versus bad is a subjective judgment, and depends upon who the observer is.
>
> It is rare that a person should be all good or all bad, regardless of how one defines what "good" is. The same dynamic exists when people determine for themselves what "normal" is for all mankind. I trust that you interpreted the words of the author in a way that you find valuable.
>
> I'm glad these folks were able to enhance the quality of your life with their books. I don't know if that's normal, though.
>
> ;-)
>
>
>
> - Scott
>I haven't read this book Jay is referring to, but my take on "normal" in this context is that it's a "myth" because no-one is "normal" in every way, because everyone has a health condition of some kind.
-undopaminergic
Posted by SLS on March 6, 2023, at 3:51:48
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on March 6, 2023, at 0:12:09
> I haven't read this book Jay is referring to,
So, how did you come to your conclusion that the book and its authors are "good"?
> but my take on "normal" in this context...
What exactly is this context?
You said the following when referring to the word, "NORMAL":
"[Normal] is a "myth" because no-one is "normal" in every way, because everyone has a health condition of some kind."
You managed to steer us in a circle. What are you using as the definition of the word "NORMAL"? Is its use limited to health status?
Your definition of the word "NORMAL" requires that we evaluate the health status of every single one of the 7.888 billion humans walking the surface of the planet.
You might be an example of the problem I see. People reject the concept of "normal" as a defense mechanism used in order to avoid coming to the conclusion that they are indeed abnormal.
"It is normal to be unique."
Wouldn't internalizing this concept be therapeutically potent?
- Scott
Posted by Jay2112 on March 6, 2023, at 19:11:17
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'...., posted by SLS on March 3, 2023, at 18:23:10
Ok Scott...
I will answer this on my terms..
First, 'normal' is the 'mean'..'average'. The capitalist system that we have here in N. America live in is broken, inhumane, and outdated. It has, since the 1980's, produced a world that most of us want to escape from, and the few get to indulge in. It is a quasi-fascist, neo-conservative world, a Wall-street gambling casino, ponzi-scheme on steroids.
We are spinning out of control, slaves to those who own the means of production...the privileged.People are turning to opioids to escape the madness at record levels. Yet, the corporate media wants us to believe that greed, "hard work", selfishness, and all, will make you "normal". This is glamourized in pretty much everything the corporate controlled world put out...from movies to magazines. Anyone who questions this, or does a double-take, is considered "not normal"... abnormal.
The great sociological theorist Emile Durkheim coined the term 'anomie', which fits well here.. People are experiencing anomie when they feel a sense of uselessness, and helplessness in society.
This is what a large chunk of our Western society is feeling today. In fact, this is one of the leading theories of suicide.This the social-political angle, and it doesn't neglect the psychological angle. But, it is part of the equation we must accept. Science on all sides backs them.
Jay
Posted by SLS on March 6, 2023, at 19:32:47
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by Jay2112 on March 6, 2023, at 19:11:17
> Ok Scott...
>
> I will answer this on my terms..
>
> First, 'normal' is the 'mean'..'average'.
You are exactly right.The End.
- Scott
Posted by undopaminergic on March 7, 2023, at 7:53:09
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » undopaminergic, posted by SLS on March 6, 2023, at 3:51:48
> > I haven't read this book Jay is referring to,
>
> So, how did you come to your conclusion that the book and its authors are "good"?
>I read another book by one of the authors, and that is the book I thought was good, not the one Jay brought up.
And I'm not going to quibble.
-undopaminergic
Posted by SLS on March 7, 2023, at 9:44:48
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by Jay2112 on March 6, 2023, at 19:11:17
> Ok Scott...
Jay, I must confess that I did not read your entire post.
I am sad for you that the world you live in - the world that you chose for yourself - is so demoralizing and depressing. You will never find me there. I never bothered visiting. It is more toxic than anything my imagination could ever conceive of. I didn't get past "we are spinning out of control". In my estimation, it is your mind that spun of control a long time ago. It is no wonder that you display such dire needs from the community.
[lead post] adderallXR: NEED help please..everyone Jay2112 2/18/23
Were you dying?
> I will answer this on my terms..
Your terms are unfortunate.
Read:
> First, 'normal' is the 'mean'..'average'. The capitalist system that we have here in N. America live in is broken, inhumane, and outdated. It has, since the 1980's, produced a world that most of us want to escape from, and the few get to indulge in. It is a quasi-fascist, neo-conservative world, a Wall-street gambling casino, ponzi-scheme on steroids.
>
> We are spinning out of control, slaves to those who own the means of production...the privileged.People are turning to opioids to escape the madness at record levels. Yet, the corporate media wants us to believe that greed, "hard work", selfishness, and all, will make you "normal". This is glamourized in pretty much everything the corporate controlled world put out...from movies to magazines. Anyone who questions this, or does a double-take, is considered "not normal"... abnormal.
>
> The great sociological theorist Emile Durkheim coined the term 'anomie', which fits well here.. People are experiencing anomie when they feel a sense of uselessness, and helplessness in society.
> This is what a large chunk of our Western society is feeling today. In fact, this is one of the leading theories of suicide.
>
> This the social-political angle, and it doesn't neglect the psychological angle. But, it is part of the equation we must accept. Science on all sides backs them.
>
> JayI don't know whether or not you need a change in medication, but I am absolutely sure you need a new prescription for how you see the world. You can start my choosing what you read with greater care.
Good luck - sincerely.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 7, 2023, at 20:52:52
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on March 7, 2023, at 7:53:09
Hi, UD.
I often forget the situation that you are currently in. You are truly amazing in what you achieve while you are in it. Your logic is impeccable, your judgment is probably more objective than mine, and the knowledge-base regarding psychoneurobiology that resides in your head is much bigger than mine. My guess is that there has been more than one occasion when you found yourself to be the smartest person in the room. For what it's worth, I admire you. I try to respect everyone, simply because they are a fellow human being. Admiration is earned. I thought I might sprinkle some positive energy your way this evening.
The world we live in (the United States and other western countries) really isn't such a bad place. The government isn't exterminating whole races of people, has not stopped guaranteeing personal liberties, remains free of murderous dictators, and our economies allow most people to live in a state of luxury compared to those being exploited as slave labor and still starving in third-world countries. That is the true cruelty to be found in the world - not the apocalyptic drivel to be found in books that serve only to foster a psyche of cynicism, nihilism, and depression.
That's about it.
- Scott
Posted by undopaminergic on March 8, 2023, at 12:51:56
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » undopaminergic, posted by SLS on March 7, 2023, at 20:52:52
> Hi, UD.
Hi SLS.
>
> I often forget the situation that you are currently in. You are truly amazing in what you achieve while you are in it. Your logic is impeccable, your judgment is probably more objective than mine, and the knowledge-base regarding psychoneurobiology that resides in your head is much bigger than mine. My guess is that there has been more than one occasion when you found yourself to be the smartest person in the room. For what it's worth, I admire you. I try to respect everyone, simply because they are a fellow human being. Admiration is earned. I thought I might sprinkle some positive energy your way this evening.
>Thank you for your kind words.
> The world we live in (the United States and other western countries) really isn't such a bad place. The government isn't exterminating whole races of people, has not stopped guaranteeing personal liberties, remains free of murderous dictators, and our economies allow most people to live in a state of luxury compared to those being exploited as slave labor and still starving in third-world countries. That is the true cruelty to be found in the world - not the apocalyptic drivel to be found in books that serve only to foster a psyche of cynicism, nihilism, and depression.
>
> That's about it.If by "books that serve to ..." you are referring to the book Jay brought up, I don't know for sure, but the book I read, by one of the same authors, is definitely not one to "foster a psyche of cynicism, nihilism, and depression", but largely the opposite.
You are right in that contemporary Western civilisation isn't such a bad place -- in many ways. In comparison with the world our ancestors lived in, then materially, we are better off than ever. We have access to better medicine(s) too and various modern technologies. I'm sure that you can think of other similar examples. But psychologically, we seem to be worse off than ever, with depression and other mental disorders seemingly much more common than they used to be.
-undopaminergic
Posted by SLS on March 10, 2023, at 15:29:10
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on March 8, 2023, at 12:51:56
> > Hi, UD.
>
> Hi SLS.
>
> >
> > I often forget the situation that you are currently in. You are truly amazing in what you achieve while you are in it. Your logic is impeccable, your judgment is probably more objective than mine, and the knowledge-base regarding psychoneurobiology that resides in your head is much bigger than mine. My guess is that there has been more than one occasion when you found yourself to be the smartest person in the room. For what it's worth, I admire you. I try to respect everyone, simply because they are a fellow human being. Admiration is earned. I thought I might sprinkle some positive energy your way this evening.
> >
>
> Thank you for your kind words.
>
> > The world we live in (the United States and other western countries) really isn't such a bad place. The government isn't exterminating whole races of people, has not stopped guaranteeing personal liberties, remains free of murderous dictators, and our economies allow most people to live in a state of luxury compared to those being exploited as slave labor and still starving in third-world countries. That is the true cruelty to be found in the world - not the apocalyptic drivel to be found in books that serve only to foster a psyche of cynicism, nihilism, and depression.
> >
> > That's about it.
>
> If by "books that serve to ..." you are referring to the book Jay brought up, I don't know for sure, but the book I read, by one of the same authors, is definitely not one to "foster a psyche of cynicism, nihilism, and depression", but largely the opposite.
>
> You are right in that contemporary Western civilisation isn't such a bad place -- in many ways. In comparison with the world our ancestors lived in, then materially, we are better off than ever. We have access to better medicine(s) too and various modern technologies. I'm sure that you can think of other similar examples. But psychologically, we seem to be worse off than ever, with depression and other mental disorders seemingly much more common than they used to be.
>
> -undopaminergic
I absolutely agree with you regarding the present incidence of depression. I don't think it is necessarily due to a toxic society. Toxic individuals - yes. Toxicity isn't the problem. I think the increasingly rapid pace of life and the greater school and financial demands placed upon the individual is simply too much stress for vulnerable individuals / brains. I think "burnout" from work and the demands of normal family life are more likely to be responsible for the majority of cases of depression rather than any complicated model of a toxic societal pathology. It would be interesting to know what the rate of depression was in archaic species of homo.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 11, 2023, at 0:47:03
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on March 8, 2023, at 12:51:56
I checked out YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Gabor+Mat%C3%A9
Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Keep it simple, stupid"?
This guy is a mess. According to him, we are ALL damaged goods. No parent knows how to parent. They inevitably inflict trauma on their children unwittingly, and so we are all in need of healing. We must allow him to teach us how unhealthy we all are, and then be told that we must read his books in order to undo the damage that we had inflicted upon us as we were growing up. He even goes on pea-brain talk-show circuits and speaking engagements in order to promote the proprietary wisdom he learned after years of suffering. Can you believe he verbalizes this? He felt f*ck*d-up, so certainly the rest of us do, too? Is that how things work?
This guy is even worse than I thought. I think he is more of a charlatan than a healer. Anybody can write what he writes. It is pop-psychology garbage. I see nothing but his need to project his troubled mind on to society. I think it is his only recourse to take away his feelings of being abnormal earlier in life - if not presently.
His conception of humanity is depressing. It makes me feel helpless. People get very depressed when they lose their spouse to cancer or someone is dumped by the love of their life and finds themselves feeling all alone in the world. Where is society's toxic culture here?
Normal lives include normal depressions. It's just normal for this to occur in any society or culture. Death is not toxic. It just is.
I tend to get angry whenever I see people project their cynical, complicated, and depressing views of the world onto others. That's exactly what Of course, Gabor Maté doesn't acknowledge that there might be a few of us who are normal (a bit of satire). Far fewer people are as hung-up as he says they are - or as he was or currently is.
He makes me want to vomit.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 13, 2023, at 11:05:10
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » undopaminergic, posted by SLS on March 10, 2023, at 15:29:10
Childhood Adversity (abuse).
The type of childhood adversity that causes the most damage and is the most accurate predictor of future depression is *neglect*. It is not physical or emotional abuse.
Here again, the toxicity that results in depression is not caused by a universal societal toxicity or defect. The toxicity is that of individuals. Brain resiliency determines whether or not this childhood adversity is expressed as depression later in life.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 13, 2023, at 11:12:57
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » undopaminergic, posted by SLS on March 11, 2023, at 0:47:03
> I checked out YouTube.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Gabor+Mat%C3%A9
>
> Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Keep it simple, stupid"?
This was not meant to be directed at you as a criticism. I could see how you might have misunderstood my intent. It was just my way of pointing out the principle contained in "Occam's razor".If you have any comments you would like to make about my posting behavior, I would welcome your input.
Thanks, UD.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 13, 2023, at 12:34:22
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on March 7, 2023, at 7:53:09
Hi, UD.
> "Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Keep it simple, stupid?"
This was not meant to be directed at you as a criticism. I could see how you might have misunderstood my intent. It was just my way of pointing out the principle contained in "Occam's razor".
> If you have any comments you would like to make about my posting behavior, I would welcome your input.
Thanks, UD.
- Scott
Posted by undopaminergic on March 15, 2023, at 8:30:22
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... Sorry for the mix-up » undopaminergic, posted by SLS on March 13, 2023, at 12:34:22
> Hi, UD.
>
> > "Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Keep it simple, stupid?"
>
> This was not meant to be directed at you as a criticism. I could see how you might have misunderstood my intent. It was just my way of pointing out the principle contained in "Occam's razor".
>I don't remember your saying that in a reply to me. Anyway, I'm familiar with the phrase -- the KISS principle I think it's called.
> > If you have any comments you would like to make about my posting behavior, I would welcome your input.
>
> Thanks, UD.
>You get argumentative at times. That can be a little abrasive. However, I'm not saying you should shut up, but rather I think we all need not to let it "get to us".
-undopaminergic
Posted by SLS on March 15, 2023, at 18:18:51
In reply to Re: The myth of 'normal'.... Sorry for the mix-up » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on March 15, 2023, at 8:30:22
> > Hi, UD.
> >
> > > "Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Keep it simple, stupid?"
> >
> > This was not meant to be directed at you as a criticism. I could see how you might have misunderstood my intent. It was just my way of pointing out the principle contained in "Occam's razor".
> >
>
> I don't remember your saying that in a reply to me. Anyway, I'm familiar with the phrase -- the KISS principle I think it's called.
>
> > > If you have any comments you would like to make about my posting behavior, I would welcome your input.
> >
> > Thanks, UD.
> >
>
> You get argumentative at times. That can be a little abrasive. However, I'm not saying you should shut up, but rather I think we all need not to let it "get to us".
>
> -undopaminergic
>Hi, UD.
This might sound strange, but I'm sure you understand it. I lived for 40 years socially inhibited, mute, and without personality. There were no anger impulses that required discipline to control. I'm still moving towards finding a balance that works for me, but it's an ongoing project.
Suffice it to say that I have very little tolerance for negative energy, especially cynicism and nihilism. For some people who are stuck in a state of severe depression and hanging on by just a thread, reinforcing a negative portrayal of the world can be deadly. I know this is usually done inadvertently, which is why I started off telling another poster not to take what I was about to say personally, and that I was criticizing the author of the book he was promoting.
I can smell cynicism and feel negative energy from a mile away. What I triggered to be brought to the surface gave me chills.
We are all different. It's normal to be different.
--------------------------------------------------------
Bad treatment habits:
After so many years, some of the most brilliant minds appearing on Psycho-Babble had become the community's worst role models. Nobody ever gets well following their examples.Passion doesn't die. Hopefully, my expression of it will be better deliberated in the future.
You are very gentle in the way you critique my behavior. I really appreciate that.
Thanks.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
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