Off Topic discusson

[Guest guest]

Hi, ita, Vicki, Del, and I am with you whole-heartedly. The

subject of " Off Topic " discussions was already raised at

least once.

And the same group of people, which is now rejecting any

considerations, rejected it them before (they call themselves a

majority). This is probably my last post because goggling the question

that I have is more satisfying and nobody judges me there.

I do not mind people socializing and getting to know each other. But

the essence of the Bronchiectasis Support group is being lost in

full-page postings about the same case again and again. As a result

real " On Topic " questions are being not answered. New people

feel that

they do not fit in the social club. So many people just post once or

twice and disappear. They are sick, tired, have myriads of problems

and do not want to argue and change a human nature. I had some ideas

about organizing a " knowledge database " and personal MEDICAL

profiles

not autobiographies. But decided that the most outspoken members will

never respond to that foreign idea.

My friend once said: " People are born with the NUMBER of words

they

compelled to say every day " . Yes, they have the right to a free

speech

but do they have right to be heard? Some members of the group who even

do not have symptoms of bronch are most outspoken and of course on

topics they like. Are there personal emails for that?

We all voluntarily have joint the group to help others and ourselves,

not just talking me-me-me… it should be approx. 50/50 ratio. We

all

have busy and complicated lives. We have different understandings

about friendships; we have different backgrounds, different hobbies,

and interests. The ONLY thing common to all of us is our medical

condition and a desire to improve quality of our lives.

I was very exited when joined the group and slowly started to see

reality. It is difficult to delete messages that are " off

topic "

because a subject of a message is often very loosely defined and you

do not want to skip something which will make at least small

difference in your life. I believe that nobody wants to impose any

regulations. We can decide what is the middle ground for all of us by

taking poles. There is an instrument for that in the Message board

structure. The label " OT " probably will be expectable by

anyone. Or

how about subdividing our group into two? Just let open a discussion

with constructive suggestions how to make this group as good for every

bronch sufferer as possible. I strongly believe that we are capable

doing this. Do we have a collective will to do that? There are so many

really-really good people among us. It is a shame that we might never

hear them.

Best regards, Luda

PS , I love your gems and resend them to my friends and

relatives.