We have all been on other forums where anyone can post anything about anyone. This often leads to angry and self-ritious grandstanding. In other words, confrontation for the sake of protecting ones turf, as opposed to simply sharing ideas for the simple sake of helping others. All the authors of this forum have the obligation and responsibility to maintain an environment where anyone feels comfortable asking a question or sharing a view without being ridiculed or interrogated. There are too many forums where this mentailty exist. The end result is that only a few meaningful post are presented which are then attacked and no one else post anything. That will not happen here. If you have any question or want to share an idea in a thoughtful way, please do so. That is what this forum is about. We have the best and brightest here and they truly want to help others achieve the same success that they have. They willingly share their ideas and experiances without any form of compensation other than the warm feeling of knowing they made a difference. So I personally invite all of you to ask or share whatever you wish because I bet you will have more to teach me as I have to teach you.
Tony
5 responses so far ↓
1 Ray Becker // Nov 9, 2005 at 1:13 pm
Hi Tony,
I know we are not supposed to say ‘atta boy’ etc. but I must admit thats the first thought that comes to mind with this very intuitive post.
The biggest ‘problem’ I have witnessed with the ridiculing, grandstanding, and derogatory remarks is that the ‘atmosphere’ of the forum is seriously tainted and often damaged beyond repair. People who -may- have additional insight or commentary to offer a post, which potentially could build the original thread into a very broad, comprehensive, insightful set of information is instead avoided…and lost.
The potential the internet provides is HUGE, drawing out the myriad of experiences learned and applied by dentists internationally over many years of direct exposure with patients CAN be priceless for anyone wishing to learn and apply a broad range of topics.
As you accurately note, ‘poisoning the well’ with negative attacks as so many forums these days do, utterly and capably destroys this potential for everyone. Having these ‘attacks’ hidden under the guise of critical analysis and review of the position being made is usually defended as ‘keeping things real, etc.’ This lack of insight, or seeing the bigger picture reveals just how little the how perpetrator of these attacks understands about the dynamics of how people interact.
MOST dentists are very busy, they want, value, and appreciate the efforts of others sharing information which might save them time, and money ‘reinventing the wheel’ themselves. They only accept the ‘negativity’ as part of the price necessarily to be paid in those forums for getting these potentially valuable tips, thats a real shame.
Notably the author(s) of attacks seemingly ONLY offer negativity, never a critical review of the actual position or points made, or typically offer any valuable information themselves, or even a viable alternative, discussion which EVERYONE would then potentially value and benefit from.
This format, the ‘moderation’ of its members, even if ’self imposed’ should allow…finally… an implementation of what the internet COULD do to help dentists advance their skills THATS what its ‘all about’ in my estimation.
Ray
2 soileau // Nov 9, 2005 at 4:03 pm
Ray, Thank you so much for the reply! I was begiining to think that I was the only dentist out there that is tired of the “pissing match” that occurs all to often. And you are so right that it always is in the negative. I am really ecited about Dental Blogs because we can control the negativity level and make this an enjoyable place to learn new ideas.
Again Ray, Thank you very much for this post.
Tony
3 Ray Becker // Nov 11, 2005 at 12:45 pm
Hi Tony,
You are welcome, Thank You for ALL the contributions you have made to help other dentists!. Interestingly enough, your commentary came directly on the heels of my getting my own ‘back bitten’ by this very same phenomenon in another forum, so ‘I feel your pain’ as they say;). I find that as a group I am often disappointed by the manner with which we as dentists in these groups treat each other when the POTENTIAL of the internet sharing of ideas is HUGE.
The internet and certain groups can be fickle mistresses as they say. Interestingly an overwhelmingly large percentage…in fact MOST persons in groups are ‘lurkers’… guys and gals just trying to pick up helpful information. They look upon those ‘attacks’ like a traffic accident, just incapable of looking away, OR stepping in to help out and maybe bringing a semblance of decency to the whole scene (which notably emboldens the attackers to believe this is OK). Notably, those perpetrating the attacks convienently overlook THEIR own personal agendas and guise their commentary as an exercise in ‘balanced perspective’…nobody is fooled. The biggest ‘loss’ without doubt is the potential further sharing of information that COULD happen in a more ‘welcoming’ environment.
Not to say that constructive criticism, and dialog is NOT welcomed…far from it, BUT without doubt when the dialog solely borders on character assassination and does not respond to ANY points that WERE actually made with an alternative view, or support of points made…even if anecdotal…one can only sigh and realize that yet again something that COULD be great…is kept to minimal instead…
Take Care
Ray
4 Steve Markus // Jan 8, 2006 at 9:30 am
The character assassination part of it started in dental school by our educators. The internet give us all the power of the mastermind, but too many dentists are at the level where they don’t think there’s anything they can do to become anything more than an average dentist. That’s simply not true, and you can learn about how to start your journey from others who have gone before you.
5 Tasha Thayer // May 17, 2006 at 11:25 pm
l am a Single,Disabled Mom who recieves SSI benafits every month.I don’t get food stamps,child support,ect.It’s not for lack of trying,that I do know they tell me I make too much to get X-tra help,I think that’s BS but I tried.
I am on a “spend Down”,which allows me to get a “few months every year of Dental care”,that I really need ASAP.
There is a Huge Downside for me in Need of Dental work,there are No Dentist in the town I live in,Iv’e called them all.The last spendown I had I tried again to find a Dentist 2 towns or so away.This time I did find a Dentist who took State Ins.but refused to take me,if I wasn’t allready a patient,and I wasn’t,I also was out of time again.
The last time I saw a Dentist it was close to Thanksgiving,and I was in so much pain I couldn’t enjoy it.I had to take a Loan out to pay to have it Pulled,I didn’t have enoughf to get it repaired.
I have called,written to Dentist all over where I live,pretty much begging them to help me,get the work I need done.I was willing to pay what I could,I’dd even do work for them at home,office anything if they could help me,Not 1 returned my calls,e-mails.
I even drove to a teaching School for Dentist,waited for Hours just to be told they wouldn’t see me.I was so up-set I cried all the way out and on th elong drive back home. I even went to the Local ER and the Dr.who saw me came and looked at my teeth and said “Your teeth are awfull”.No kidding,and they didn’t even offer me anything for pain not even an asprin.I again walked out in tears,and in pain and it seems like no-one cares except me and I can’t afford to do anything…
I don’t drive much,far,I have a Phobia of Dentist and driving,add that with my daily pain meds and I don’t wanna hurt myself or anyone else on the road,so I try to stay local or close to home.And I don’t have anyone to drive me places either.
I’m not even 40 yet and have lost at least 4 teeth,and if I can’t find help soon it will be many more.I try to tell my Son to take care of his teeth so he won’t have my problems,but he may think “hey my mom brushes her teeth and it dosn’t help her,so why should I care”?
I don’t have the Cash to get good dental work done,so what happens to people like Me?
I don’t like that Commerical Iv’e seen about,”How older people don’t want to goto the Dentist”,how can they Afford to go,I don’t think they don’t want to go,they cannot afford to.
If anyone knows what else I can do,go,I’dd appricate it.And I’ll keep on Praying……
Love Tasha T.
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