Crazy Doctor Talk

[WiseOne]

It's true that I get to complain about medical-related problems here to a much greater extent than I'd allow myself to indulge in at work.  I do try to say things that others would find useful & informative.  That's the beauty of this forum, and the comments and insights that come up in response have been really valuable.

The difference is that (as I've said repeatedly) I really, really enjoy my job.  If that weren't true, I don't think I'd be able to tolerate the long hours, weekends and holidays spent working.  Like, this past Christmas when all of you were at home with your families or going out for Chinese food while I was in the hospital working, and this past Thanksgiving when I was obsessed with the talk I was getting ready to give to 5,000 people, and countless weekends spent hunkered down over grant applications.  And yes, I do put a lot of time and energy into patient care, much of it not billable because that's just how it is sometimes.

I didn't pick up this big picture from IDB's posts.  It sounded more like someone who had chosen a career and hated everything about it, except the idea of spending as little time as possible on it.  It would be great to hear that's not the case. Letting off steam I can get, but after a certain point you have to wonder if there's more to it than that.

[MediumTex]

It's true that I get to complain about medical-related problems here to a much greater extent than I'd allow myself to indulge in at work.

Yeah, that's what I thought: you saw me doing what you do and immediately assumed I lack similar justification.

In my first interaction with you, you told me I had a 0% chance of success in this field. You told me I was doomed to a life of poverty, debt slavery and difficulty providing for my family like it was no big deal.

A pleasure to meet you!

You guys will be best buds in no time.

We might even have to give the two of you a cool nickname.  Maybe something like:

The Head Shrinker and the Blood Drinker.

[jafs]

Finally skimmed through this, since I have posted here twice. A few observations:

1. Agree you come off as shockingly cynical, IDB. And agree with all of WiseOne's comments. Dead on. Not saying that there is anything wrong with you or what you are saying. Just that it may be a sign you may be going in an unnatural direction. Or need a break.

2. Yes, medical training and medical practice is flawed. Yes, it is hard. Yes, there are some "arrogant assholes" you will encounter as colleagues, mentors, and even patients. But if you really think that it is somehow excessive or intolerable and you deserve otherwise, get out, even if temporarily (I took 2 years off before med school and 1 after). Or try to change it?

3. On complaining and catharsis. Yes, this has a role for some. But when you think and talk negatively, your brain increasingly becomes wired to see negativity and think negative thoughts. And, now others do too! As shown in this thread... Conversely, if you focus on the absolute wonder of what you are learning and the absolute privilege it is to care for vulnerable fellow beings who place their trust in you (not including you, MT  )), you will reinforce these neurologic pathways instead.

4. You said in the beginning that you wanted to do hobbies and hang out with friends and family. Then get off this forum? You can learn a lot here. But you can also waste a lot of time arguing. Or preaching to the choir. It is very seductive. Many have spent over 2000 hours of their life here, some almost 9000. Don't do it! 

Thanks for stopping by BearBones.  I always picture Dr. McCoy with a bear's head when I see your handle (and that's a good thing).

As far as dwelling on the stupid things in life, I agree that it can be a pointless and destructive habit to get into, but it can also be the pathway to a lot of humor.  In my experience, some of the finest humor arises from observations about all of the stupid things in this world.  In fact, I think that finding the humor can actually drain much of the bad feeling you might otherwise have about something.

If this were a forum that was just a bunch of pointless and emotional arguing, it wouldn't be interesting to me.  Personally, I think that many of the discussions result in measurable improvements in my own understanding of an issue, along with my beliefs about it.  IMHO, that really ought to be the guiding principle with every post--i.e., move the discussion forward in a meaningful way.  When that is happening, I think it's time well spent. 

Some posts that seem ridiculous may be more like a moderating tool to release emotional pressure that is accumulating around a topic, which ironically can actually lubricate a discussion more than if you kept it all-serious all-the-time.  IMHO, the key is to create a safe environment where people feel free to avoid positional approaches to controversial topics.  It's hard to explore new areas when you are frantically defending your own turf.

My two cents as a new participant:  The environment here isn't as safe as you'd like it to be, especially for new folks. 

[jafs]

It's true that I get to complain about medical-related problems here to a much greater extent than I'd allow myself to indulge in at work.

Yeah, that's what I thought: you saw me doing what you do and immediately assumed I lack similar justification.

In my first interaction with you, you told me I had a 0% chance of success in this field. You told me I was doomed to a life of poverty, debt slavery and difficulty providing for my family like it was no big deal.

A pleasure to meet you!

For what it's worth, I thought you hated the BS, but would like to practice part-time and actually help people, and also have a life outside of work, both of which sounded pretty good to me

[Greg]

My two cents as a new participant:  The environment here isn't as safe as you'd like it to be, especially for new folks.

I semi-agree yet disagree with your statement above. While we could and should always work towards having, a safer and more inviting audience here, I think it is worthwhile to compare against other alternatives.

1.) The people you work with
2.) Your immediate or extended family
3.) Your friends (either through work, or social things you do, etc.)
4.) Another forum

Regarding #1 above, you have to a certain extent temper all of the things you're going to say because you have to worry about a paycheck. Everything runs through a filter and you can't get to the root of issues as efficiently at times

Regarding #2, you may be able to speak your mind, but the sample size can be small enough that you're not going to get the diversity of opinions that you'll find here. There's also a good chance of higher amounts of echo-chamber within your own family (higher chance, but not always true).

Regarding #3, much like #2, but there is the question whether they will have knowledge in whatever area you're interested in talking about. Also much like #1 and #2, you are not faceless like you are here, so you still have to worry about the next day so you may change what you're saying which could be good or not.

Regarding #4, other forums can be good, but is very much a roll of the dice. Once you find a good group of people that have diverse opinions, you'll have friction, but friction can lead to movement.

Actually, I like what I wrote there, or putting it in another way: "Friction in conversations can be uncomfortable at times, but like wheels on the ground, without friction, you'll never move anywhere".

All things being said, I think this forum is pretty A-OK from my standpoint. Not perfect, but good enough.

[Mountaineer]

One does not require 6" armor plate skin to survive in this forum, 1/2" will do most of the time.  But, no skin is suicide.  We are sworn to limit weapons to 50 cal. and under. 

... M

[Reub]

jafs, it's okay to come out from under your bed now. We've all accepted you.

[MediumTex]

jafs, it's okay to come out from under your bed now. We've all accepted you.

Thinking about what it takes to make it here, I am reminded of Bill Murray's speech in Stripes:

Cut it out! Cut it out! Cut it out! What the hell's the matter with you? Stupid! We're all very different people. We're not Watusi. We're not Spartans. We're Americans, with a capital 'A', huh? Do you know what that means? Do ya? That means that our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world. We are the wretched refuse. We're the underdog. We're mutts! Here's proof: his nose is cold! But there's no animal that's more faithful, that's more loyal, more loveable than the mutt. Who saw 'Old Yeller?' Who cried when Old Yeller got shot at the end? Nobody cried when Old Yeller got shot? I'm sure. I cried my eyes out.

So we're all dogfaces. We're all very, very different, but there is one thing that we all have in common: we were all stupid enough to enlist in the Army. We're mutants. There's something wrong with us, something very, very wrong with us. Something seriously wrong with us! We're soldiers, but we're American soldiers! We've been kickin' ass for 200 years! We're 10 and 1! Now we don't have to worry about whether or not we practiced. We don't have to worry about whether Captain Stillman wants to have us hung. All we have to do is to be the great American fighting soldier that is inside each one of us. Now do what I do, and say what I say. And make me proud. Fall in!

[jafs]

Thanks Reub - I didn't expect such a nice post from you.