The great majority of times, we have succeeded when these prejudgments have been transcended. As I said recently (to HC), that is the grace and uniqueness of this site. We have had some truly amazing and useful discussions. As far as I know, of the sort that one virtually never finds on these issues.

There are a solid core who are committed to keeping it that way, and letting new folks know that if they enter the room with guns blazing, without even knowing whether there is a war on.

Once again, onward.

Recently, though, I have tried to modulate my language. In response to things posted by pg, truthman, Lisa Van S, AA and others, I have re-thought my position on the rampant use of neuroactive medications. Hence, my recent use of words like “judicious” when advocating the employment of neuroactive drugs. I have also repeatedly noted that I and my counterparts never promoted Zoloft for childhood depression, nor did we advocate the use of antipsychotics in children. I did try to note that there may be instances where such use is warranted–as the mother of a special-needs child and as a person who has spent time in medical waiting rooms (both as a rep and as a mom with a kid), I have learned to be very cautious about criticizing the decisions another parent makes for his/her kids.

What I perceived to happen was the more common ground I tried to find with the more vociferous posters here, the more assaultive their replies got. Perhaps I need to get a thicker skin, but right now, things are very tough with my son (as we try to REDUCE the meds he is on) and anti-pharma sentiment is growing at the academic med center where I work. I am an Eeyore by nature trying to evolve into a Tigger, because I think that Tiggers are more fun to be around and generally are happier people. Being called brain-damaged and delusional, child-murderer, greedy and selfish doesn’t enlighten me, it just effectively shuts down the argument. It is a conservative being called “mean-spirited” or “racist” when he advances an argument–instantly you are put in the position of proving you are NOT whatever name you’ve been called, instead of being able to put forth reasons why you hold the position you do.

I will continue to lurk–this is the best site I’ve found for pharmaceutical discussion. I value the anti-pharma leanings more than I value the pro-pharma stuff on other sites, because the only way those of us in pharma can evolve is by hearing what the other side has to say.

As I’ve noted before, anyone (you too, truthman) is welcome to email me at cathorus@yahoo.com. If it’s a civil email, I will respond. In the meantime, perhaps a breather and a chance to get things under control with my son will lead me to reengaging here in the future.

Thanks all.

HC

In response to some private notes, I’d like to share a few thoughts that, hopefully, some of you will find helpful.

First, as a journalist, the one responsbility that was new to me when this site launched 18 months ago is the role of moderator. Unlike TV talk shows, such as Meet the Press, the format and medium are obviously different, so I have been feeling my way ever since.

In general, my approach has been to let grown ups act like grown ups. I have never seen the benefit in playing school marm and enforcing a vague set of rules on people as they go about having an informed discussion. Some of you may recall my analogy to the sprawling lawn party where different discussions take place simultaneously, and one is free to flit and listen and chime in when the urge strikes.

Unfortunately, the possibility exists that, at times, unnecessary language or schoolyard namecalling can take place at such gatherings, which can have the affect of throwing a wine glass at the lawn party.

To an extent, this is predictable. Pharma is a challenged industry right now and its many problems - pipelines, patents, promotion, pricing and safety - are hot button issues for our society as a whole. The discussions that take place here reflect those concerns and, I suspect, will continue for some time because the solutions do not appear to be right around the corner.

That said, I would like to encourage everyone to address others with a degree of civility. What does that mean? Speak to others in the same way you want them to speak to you. This is a gentle reminder and is not directed at any one individual. The emotions that pop up in the debates here do cut both ways.

As a journalist, I learned a long time ago the notion that it is possible to learn something from each and every other person. This forum offers one such possibility. Enjoy it.

Regards,
ed

But I will say that no one here has been above, or below, flaming and personalized attacks. That was, frankly, my view of HC when she first arrived. I believe this site contributed to her own sense of wider possibilities. I suspect she gained from that, just as most of us have since gained from her.

If, now, it is curtain call I suppose I can’t help but see it as a kind of full-circle. If there have been, and continue to be, direct and personal attacks, of course, I do understand. There are folks who visit here to whom I would not engage in discussion, and - trust me on this - they are as often on the (relative) “anti” side re: the industry as the “pro” side. As I look up this thread, I see ad hominem attacks on several sides and fronts.

People who do this persistently can be avoided. And direct, off-the-wall attacks (I’ve experienced a few) can be responded to directly. It’s hard for me to understand what is gained by ditching a whole site because of these episodes, but wudda I know? Maybe (and I mean this) I have missed some of the more hostile responses.

So a good night to all, and I hope onward and forward as much as we are able.

There are so many good things that can come from this kind of communications but obviously it has its weakness. That weakness only originates in our hearts and is often a selfish desire to elevate ourselves above others. When we do this we destroy any really meaningful communications.
I am sure that if we met person to person we would never be so bold but in this kind of forum we can only see the letters on a screen. With anonymity sometimes we act like children, I admit, myself included; but what a loss when we cross the line and allow our emotions to destroy our connections. I remember Ed framing this forum as a lawn party. How different we would act if we came here with that mindset.

Sorry for being so preachy but HC you will be missed. I don’t think that I would be so interested in visiting this party if all I heard was one side of the story. I really want to understand the pharmaceutical industry and your insight has helped.
Thanks

Anyway, I’ll check back in now and then, I just won’t be posting. And maybe coming soon to a website near you…

I often come away from this site completely bumed about the line of work I entered. Partly from the conversation on this site and partly from the negative stories I have to read every single day. (Ed, do you think you could pick one day a week as a “positive” day and only run feel-good stories about the good the pharmaceuticals accomplish? ;-> Ha! That’ll be the day!)

Anyway, like the others, I’m sorry to see you go - but I certainly don’t blame you. Let me know if you post on any other sites. I enjoy reading your insites. I get to hear pharma research perspectives all the time, but I almost never interact with people on the marketing end of the buisness.

Best of luck.

Also I would just like to clarify, I am and never have been anti-pharma, yes I am vocal about Paxil and the issues which come with that but I am not anti-pharma or anti-drugs. What I would like to see though is an ethical industry which puts patients before profits as I think that is in everyone’s interest…

We all need access to safe drugs and the industry should always put safety before profits and maybe if people like myself and others didn’t speak out nothing would ever be done..

I do hope that the because of the efforts of the many voices of change one day an industry which values humanity and ethics above all else will be the “norm” for future generations…

Little ripples can become waves ..

‘Tiz a shame.