Enhancing the Medical Blogosphere
Borneo Breezes has written a very interesting post … and has completely captured my imagination.
I don’t want to say too much about it here, because it needs to be ingested in its entirety, and slowly digested, to gather a real sense of the concepts. I will only hint at it with a few quotes …
I have noticed that medical bloggers who by their own admission say frank, critical or sarcastic things seem surprised, [...] that some readers react negatively. [...] So one gets the impression, intended or not, that one is not supposed to make anything less than laudatory comments at all.
Yes, I’ve noticed that too. If all we’re doing is scratching each other’s back, then what are we achieving, really? I admit that I’m guilty of either not commenting when I disagree, or of leaving a comment couched in the form of polite suggestions. I don’t believe rudeness is ever necessary, much less name calling or ad hominem attacks … but some of the subjects we post really are invitations to dialogue, and as such, we should be willing to embrace the discussions they engender.
For people to change, we need to cultivate a diversity of opinion. [...] the discussion that blogs sometimes generate through their comments is perhaps as important as the piece. This in fact makes it better than newspapers
I couldn’t have said it better myself … and I agree. The comments are everything - they’re more than the post. They stretch us - make us aware that there’s more going on beyond our own little parochial dot on the blogosphere. There are other opinions, other ideas … other cultures … we can learn from each other.
In my own posts, I’ve tried to generate discussion in the comments. Yes, I insist on civility … and I don’t allow personal attacks. I also don’t allow extremism to hijack a thread, since I feel that it’s not intended to spark a feeding frenzy … but rather to stimulate the sharing of views in a discussion. As Borneo Breezes wrote: “Obviously there need to be some ground rules, indeed it looks to me like some have already started.” There’s nothing that can’t be discussed with civility … and none of us have all the answers. We’re wasting quite an opportunity when we don’t cultivate the comments of our readers.
And finally - she says that the Medical Blogosphere is in need of a “Medical Meta-Blog.” The very idea makes my heart skip a beat! I wish we were already doing all of this …
Please - go over and take a look at what she has to say. Think about it … mull it over. Blog about it. Let’s make this one happen!
August 26th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
i believe in civility too. but i also love to hear different opinions and ideas about posts. it really can bring about great discussions and as it was put in your above posts..that is where the real change can begin.
August 26th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
Moof, I went over and read that post and I really liked it. Of course, the points the author makes does not only apply to the medical blogosphere, but to all genres. I think that when one has a difference of opinion, it makes for a much more interesting discussion. After all, what fun would it be if we all thought the same way? All had the same opinions? But, I certainly agree, that discussions should be done in a repectful and civil manner.
August 26th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Oh this is a great post. I love the comments that get some REAl feedback. But, I have notcied that there are some that do allow this to go way beyond the point of civility. I don’t often go where I am called horrible names or made to feel inadequate as a result of comments. I can think of ONE very distinct blog where the comments get way out of hand. To qeustion it, only beings sarcasm and a reprimand from the blog owner to you. I stay away for the most part.
I also don’t often mention, when visiting other blogs, that I have family memebrs that are a physician. I read these incredible claims that “ALL physicians” feel the exact way. It makes me want to scream that a few try so hard to make us believe this is normal behavior for all medical professionals.
Noone needs get to the point of name calling to get a point across. It happens and it happens in the medical blogs. It is not the norm for the majority and I imagine it wouldn’t be tolerated in most of them. Its really a downer to read these things and know that so called professionals have such weak communication skills that they must resort to verbal abuse. Sorry but it bothers me even more when it is a blog of a self-proclaimed “I’am the geatest” blog.
August 26th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Kt … thank you for taking the time to comment! I agree with you - discussions in the comment threads is where change can begin! :o)
—
Pattie, I agree with you on all counts. We don’t learn from those who think exactly the way we do … and in fact, that sort of thinking tends to be counterproductive to growth …
We can have neour own opinions, our reasons for believing the way we do … and still learn from other opinions, other cultures … all the while being faithful to our own beliefs.
Dr. Scan Man has taught me so much … he’s the first person from his culture that I really got to know. Neither of us lost our identity in getting to know each other - but we both gained quite a bit … probably with me getting the most out of our discussions, because I’ve never been to India, while he has visited the States. His ideas are so alike my own - but from such a different perspective - that my world seemed to double in size even as it remained familiar and friendly, as I absorbed the information he was kind enough to share with me.
We have so much to share with each other. Communication! What would happen to the world if were all suddenly able to communicate???
—
Cathy - my very wise friend - I could feel what you were writing. There are two blogs that I tend to avoid … one of them seems to like to watch feeding frenzies in his comment threads, although he never seems to partake … and other actually gets in there and belittles his commenters sarcastically. I don’t see how either of those attitudes are particularly productive.
Also - the blanket comments against (or for) physicians usually leaves me with a chin drop reaction … what, are all of these ladies and gentlemen supposed to turn into some little cookie cutter character the minute the MD or DO title hits the end of their name?
Ayuh! What you said. Multiplied by itself … 0.o
August 26th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
I love this post Moof. Thanks for sharing this. I’ll hop over Borneo Breezes, just miles away from me. I should make a neighbourly visit.
There have been many posts on ‘how to deal with comments’ in the blogoshpere. For one, I was victim to name calling in one Medical Blog. If you frequent that blog, you’ll find it. What did I do? I posted still signing my nick. I’m not about to hide. But if it’s personal attacks, calling women commenters as ‘concubine’, ‘whore’ I’ll say my piece and avoid that. What did I do Moof? I cursed him/her in French!…lol. I was relieved after that.
What’s funny is that it wasn’t moderated. The owner didn’t say anything, albeit there was one ‘doctor’ who tried to tried to defend that person’s doing. I don’t know who was that. Some sicko. If they name-call commenters, they’ll be laughing it out. But if commenters do something about their remarks, they’ll be protest. Take what happened to one doctor who was reported to his employers recently. Go over there, if you can’t find it, holler.
Thanks again, good post. :)
August 26th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
I have to say that I find this post really meaningful. When I find myself disagreeing or wanting to make a comment, I sometimes do not. If I know the blogger, then I usually do and present it in a nonthreatening way. I like discussions and enjoy the differences of opinions. It’s all about exchanging and sharing ideas for me, at least.
Great post.
August 27th, 2006 at 2:24 am
Moof, you’ve done it again!
I hope I get to post at least a few of the kind of extremely thought-provoking posts that are so common in your blog. I guess being ‘old-and-wise’ does make a difference ;)
I have to admit that most of my comments on other blogs are the ’scratching your back’ kind, the rest being ones in which I wish to share some information. I choose not to comment when I disagree with something. More commonly the reason I don’t comment is because I don’t have anything relevant to say about the post.
Thanks for the back-rub. I owe you one :)
P.S. I don’t think I told you this after you put it in. I really like the live comment preview. Very useful.
August 27th, 2006 at 9:21 am
Ipanema, if you live near Borneo, then I envy you! The pictures which Traveling Doc has on her blog do immense things to my imagination! It shames me when I think that hearing about these cultures and countries never fired me up before.
Ipanema, I feel the way you do … even if I know I’m going to get roasted, I use my nick - which, by the way, is also what people call me in my everyday life. I’m not interested in the opinions of people who are so unsure of themselves that they can’t even put a traceable blog nick or email behind their comments.
Now … je ne savais pas que tu parles francais! (I didn’t know you spoke French!) I’m going to have to find that post and the comments! I would love to see you giving someone the ol’ heave ho in French! >:o)
—
Dr. Deb - it’s the same for me: the exchange of ideas! I can’t resist commenting on some subjects … and there are some blogs that I couldn’t stay away from if I tried - like Dr. Bernstein’s Bioethics Discussion Blog - which always has something that makes me think, that stretches me a bit.
There are times that I disagree with something, and when I do, I try to express myself as clearly and respectfully as possible.
But Deb - I avoid the blogs that are “free for alls” … although there’s discussion to be found in comment threads that are full of sarcasm and name calling, they feel like eating broken glass when you read them.
—
Dr. Scan Man … are you poking at me about my age??? >;o)
Seriously though, you’ve posted some excellent, thought provoking posts on your blog! Yours are flavored like “Dr. Scan Man,” and mine are moof flavored. Vive la difference!
I think that many of us feel like you do - and simply avoid commenting when we really disagree with something - sometimes especially if we’re on a friend’s blog. Whenever we do that, we pass up a real opportunity …
One of the few bloggers I’ve ever personally met, and whom I consider a friend - Pattie, from Stolen Moments - first posted a comment on my blog in respectful disagreement to what I was saying. Neither of us changed our opinions, but the discussion left me with a feeling of great respect for her. Later on down the road, we all ended up meeting and having lunch together! It was great!
About back rubs … … a little higher … to the right … ahhhh! That’s the spot! ;o)
August 27th, 2006 at 11:44 am
I totally agree, Moof. Often the discussion in the comments is more interesting than the original post! Although I don’t get many comments on my blog . . .
August 27th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
My present location is part of Borneo Island. There are 3 countries here - Sabah, Malaysia ->not the whole Malaysia (loc. of Borneo Breezes), East Kalimantan (which belongs to Indonesia) and Brunei. This is where the famed Rainforest of Borneo is found. In Sabah, Malaysia we have the highest peak in Southeast Asia - Mt. Kinabalu. Sorry for the Geography bit. Just sharing. :)
I studied Moof. Rusty now, I used to practise with a French colleague who was transferred to another country. :(
August 27th, 2006 at 4:31 pm
You’re being too modest, Moof. If by “medical meta-blog” you mean a blog about medical blogs, All Blogged Up fits the bill!
best,
Flea
August 27th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Ripple - I love your blog. I’ve loved your blog from the first time I ever read it. I can feel what you’re saying … I can relate to so many of your posts. You’d be surprised how many people read a blog … and don’t comment. I read most blogs through Bloglines … unless I click on the title of their blog, people don’t even know I’m reading their material …
So - hang in there … I have a feeling you’re making far more of an impact than you realize!
—
Ipanema - please, feel free to share at any time!!! I’m fascinated! I know so little of that part of the world. I envy all of you who are there, and are able to experience such amazing sights and cultures! Okay … I’m jealous of all of you … *sigh* … no sense hiding it!
I’ve seen your comments over on Dr. Emer’s blog … and that’s made me realize that you write in Tagalog. I’m in awe! What else do you know? :o)
—
Dr. Flea, how I wish I could claim this idea for my own, but alas, I can’t! This is “Traveling Doc’s” idea! I think we could all do this, though! I think we could make it happen, if we all pitch in.
If people volunteered for different categories, it wouldn’t take too long to make it happen … and although, by nature, it would never be complete, it would be a powerful resource of information. We could take advantage of each blog’s RSS feeds, and especially their comment RSS feeds … with a central location for discussions and information.
The idea is still a bit like trying to nail jello down, but if we work together, we can firm it up! :o)
August 27th, 2006 at 11:18 pm
Off topic but right up your alley Moof. Borneo Breezes needs assistance in allowing comments from people who don’t have Blogger accounts.
August 27th, 2006 at 11:36 pm
Dr. Scan Man … thanks for the heads up! On my way over! :o)
August 27th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
I avoid the “free for alls” too. What good does ALL THAT do? I have learned so many wonderful things via my blogfriends, and consider blogging to be SUCH an enriching experience. I feel smarter, wiser and more empathic to so many things.
August 28th, 2006 at 9:35 am
Great find! I don’t know how you do it. Thanks for continually finding new bloggers (like me, once upon a time) and sharing them with everybody. Oh yeah, I love those Borneo pics, too.
September 5th, 2006 at 2:47 am
If people decide not to comment because they disagree with my posts than that means that most of my readers disagree with what I post.
I do think that it is sad that so many people would decide not to post when they disagree with a subject. I would argue that I’m completely opposite. If I disagree with a certain post than I am more likely to comment on the post. If I agree with a topic I see no reason to clutter comments with a “Fine Post” comment.
Give me constructive criticism or the next blog please.