Anonymous poll

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:29 pm

OK, folks. I know there are those who appreciate my sense of humor and are glad to have it here. But there's some reason to believe that a certain guest poster may not be alone in their feelings, and I certainly don't want to be imposing, if a significant number of people wish I'd just shut up.

So please feel free to log out before replying to this, so you don't have to fear retribution or feel bad for being honest. (Although posting anonymously unsolicited negative comments is cowardly, I'm asking this time, be anonymous if you have to in order to be honest).

Do you feel that this board should be kept 100% on topic all the time, do you feel it should be always serious (or at least, more serious than it has been of late)?

And specifically to me, should I shut up and let the people with more information post?

I think I know the common opinion. But just in case I'm wrong...

Thanks,

Liam.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:36 pm

Liam
I look forward to your posts ALL THE TIME. Don't stop.
All people have to do is skip over your remarks if they don't like them. If they do like them, keep 'em coming.

Your wife must laff all day long with you! haha.

I'm too old and sleep deprived to be anonymous.

Sign me: Gailzee hose head

Liam1965 wrote:OK, folks. I know there are those who appreciate my sense of humor and are glad to have it here. But there's some reason to believe that a certain guest poster may not be alone in their feelings, and I certainly don't want to be imposing, if a significant number of people wish I'd just shut up.

So please feel free to log out before replying to this, so you don't have to fear retribution or feel bad for being honest. (Although posting anonymously unsolicited negative comments is cowardly, I'm asking this time, be anonymous if you have to in order to be honest).

Do you feel that this board should be kept 100% on topic all the time, do you feel it should be always serious (or at least, more serious than it has been of late)?

And specifically to me, should I shut up and let the people with more information post?

I think I know the common opinion. But just in case I'm wrong...

Thanks,

Liam.

53now · Post by **53now** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:48 pm

If I wanted to participate in a Message Board that dealt with OSA issues 100% of the time I would go to "Sleepnet.com" (where every word is monitored....and if you don't conform to Sandman's agenda ....your post is booted !!) Having said that....... I really enjoy the "freedom to post" here on CpapTalk !! But here lately I think some of the Posts have sort of gone over the edge (for my taste) ex >>>> "Gay vs Straight Pappers" etc. Hey I appreciate a good joke and I love to laugh but sometimes I think we need to........as Jack Webb used to say on Dragnet... "Stick to the facts". (You ask for honesty here !! )

As the number of newbies continue to grow, we need to be aware of their "thirst for information".

Hang me if you wish........But that's my opinion. Thanks for the post !

Rich

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:53 pm

Liam, He must be French ^^^^

Just kidding...

Personally I think that the humor takes the edge off of how miserable it can be getting used to nightly hookups to an air compressor...

I think that there are a lot of us that really need a good laugh after getting blown up like the Michelin man every night...

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:54 pm

Liam1965 wrote:Do you feel that this board should be kept 100% on topic all the time, do you feel it should be always serious (or at least, more serious than it has been of late)?
And specifically to me, should I shut up and let the people with more information post?

Liam

There is of course a balance to be struck, because we are all here to learn. I will admit to getting irritated from time to time by the way that threads sometimes wander off topic, and in no way am I suggesting that is entirely down to you. However, humour is essential, and you certainly bring more than your fair share to this forum. So no, please don't stop.

I think the negative, snide remarks of some anonymous posters is far more irritating.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:59 pm

IMHO, the posts here are pretty much on target. Plenty of solid information, a tasteful bit of humor (keep it up, Liam!!!),
no bickering or namecalling, everyone welcome, and bunches of respect going around. If a topic isn't exactly on OSA or related, then I can either read it or not, my choice.

I check out the Excite board topic every day and, believe me, THIS board is major way better!!

As for me, there have been times in the last 3 or 4 years when I would wake up and tell Sweetie "I can't believe I feel more tired now than when I went to sleep 9 hours ago." Finding this board, along with getting started on the APAP a week ago has raised my spirits tremendously. Keep it up, everyone! And many MANY thanks to each and everyone here!

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:01 pm

I think it's more important that we all get to know each other (as much as one can from an online forum) than to stick strictly to cpap topics. This is part of the problem me encounter with the medical proffesionals. We are all just a number to them and here we can be real people.

derek · Post by **derek** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:32 pm

You know, when first diagnosed I used to lurk on several other forums. I didn't really participate because there were so many tales of woe and people felling sorry for themselves. There were some real sad cases.

What I find so different about this board is the up-beat attitude, and the ability to laugh at ourselves in the presence of a somewhat intrusive nightly therapy. Even with the best of xPAPs we all have our nights disturbed, yet there is optimism everywhere around here.

For my part I say hold on to that sense of humor. As Wader says, let's develop that sense of community, and get to know each other. I don't care if you take my posts, twist 'em, shake 'em, and wander far from the original thought. I know your hearts are all in the right places.

At the same time, when somebody needs help, let's offer that help with respect through our collective experience. There's a time for humor, but there's also a time for compassion.

derek

snoozin' · Post by **snoozin'** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:41 pm

I can find apnea information elsewhere if I really need to. There are other sites. There are books (Phantom of the Night and several others have been mentioned more than once). There's the public library. There are the libraries at university hospitals.
Sure, this is a fast and convenient way to get information. But the real reason for something like this is the SUPPORT - emotional as well as technical. Knowing other people are going through or have already gone through the same things that you're facing. And it takes a COMMUNITY to provide that support. In order to get that sense of comunity on something like a bulletin board, where we never meet the other members, we need to know at least a few "personal" things. That's why OT subjects should not only be allowed, but should, at least occassionally be encouraged. Ok, we might take them a little too far sometimes, but I would rather see that then not see them at all.
Debbie

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:41 pm

I enjoy the humor. Yes, we wander a bit off topic at times but usually someone brings us back to where we need to be.

This transition for many of us has been difficult. Many mornings I've woken up, taken my mask off and burst into tears. I trudge around feeling sorry for myself and then I log onto the forum. I laugh out loud and smile and get good information and all of sudden everything's in perspective. I think my machine and mask would be in the closet if it weren't for the good people of this forum.

Jeanne

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:05 pm

Liam, you already know my answer from a PM I sent you in the past. I enjoy your humor in no small way. It's a breath of fresh air to me.

Humor is so very subjective, however, that the world's best professional comedic performers never achieve a one-hundred percent appeal/approval rating. The essence of humanity is diversity---in expression, values, and perception----and when we respect that diversity, humanity is at its best.

The answer is not in supressing humor that so many enjoy just to please the few who take exception. As long as our posts are respectful of one another, the answer lies in the individual choice that each reader has to either embrace, accept, or ignore each post they encounter.

Just my two pennies worth...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:25 pm

You can't please everyone all the time. But you can be funny most of the time in the face of a pretty hard Sleep Apnea situation.

If people want pure information do the following:

1. Give them an exact answer as a follow up post.

2. PM them an answer.

3. Ask them to wait until we get our CPAPopedia and link them there!

Noobs come onto the board in a world of pain. Abused and grouchy from lack of sleep and treatment. They want answers NOW. We've got to make sure we deliver.

That being said, Liam, things are usually funny because they stray from the ordinary. People tend to question things that are out of the ordinary - they like normal. But we're not normal. We're making friends and gaining support on this insane alternative to traditional, DME style medicine. The best we can do is keep good humour with those who are frustrated with our emerging culture and try to pacify them with strait answers when they want them.

You are fighting the good fight. Keep it up.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:27 pm

Liam,

There seems to be a consensus of good will here.

As stated above, this sleep apnea thing is scary for most people. This forum scared me a little too, at first. There were sad stories and complaints about compliance with the treatment. But right away forum people were encouraging, offering support, and gave up-beat comments, making the scary world of apnea and compliance a very easy pill to take. As said, this place feels much like a community. The forum helped me feel less alone -- and isn't that what a "community" is all about? I truly believe I might have given up on my bipap if it weren't for the friendly, encouraging support from many members here on the forum. I wouldn't want to see it change at all.

If anything, I think your humor has brought this "community" even a little more closer together. You've charmed us all. Sure, the person who yucks it up too much without thinking is not usually welcome. But you add compassion, wisdom and civility to your humor, making this forum one of the funnest places to be. Don't change, Liam.

Linda, ....."Don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me"...she sings!

nodding off · Post by **nodding off** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:30 pm

The sense of humor is good! It means the cpap must be working because you aren't tired and grouchy all the time. If I wanted dead serious I'd read a medical journal.

UKnowWhatInSeattle · Post by **UKnowWhatInSeattle** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:36 pm

Liam,

Sometimes, a particular subject pushes a button with someone in a way that isn't intended. We need to keep in mind that some people's sensitivity to things is amplified by the desparation they might feel because of their health issues that minute, that day.

That said, I strongly agree with the other posters that sanitizing this forum of humor (or "humour" as them real Inglish speakers sez) or off-topic discussion would make it lose its appeal for me. It isn't a search engine after all, its humans a'talkin' to humans.

Until Johnny supports a forum called "Hilarious Disordered Sleep Anecdote Talk" or "A Funny Think Happened On The Way To Critical O2 Desaturation Talk", I think we should keep the cracks a'comin in this forum. If it helps Jeanne brighten up after a rough night, I'm all for it!

Not that I am prone to wizecrax myself, of course.

A priest, a rabbi, a mullah, and a DME walked into a bar...

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