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Posted by Thunder on August 6, 2008, 7:38 am || Total Votes: 10
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By:Ellen Gibson
Yup, this is a social network for people with social anxiety disorder. The goal of this virtual support group is to help its members overcome their disorder, but it actually seems like more incentive to stay inside. The huge virtual arcade is especially popular, but the activities -- barbwire jump rope, "Ant Burner," "Cubicle Warfare," and one in which you feed babies to alligators -- are decidedly antisocial.
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Already voted! | Topic: Anxiety
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Comments:
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Right, because people socializing online is so much worse than them just remaining alone in their house or feeling alone in the "real world." She clearly has no idea anything about it, she's not someone who needs be taken seriously. Just regard her as the close-minded ignorant person she is, and move along. *sighs*
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Comment by kitkat on October 3, 2008, 1:45 pm
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Ellen......how do you define your definition of wierd?? There are about three trillion definitions. You just sound pathetic.
I suggest taking up that offer on a reality show.
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Comment by kitkat on October 3, 2008, 1:22 pm
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Yep, Ellen Gipson is just describing the bully that she is to poke fun of other people's problems and appear as if she actually "knows" what social phobia is like. Ohh please....just shut your trap!!! She does not have socia phobia and will never know what it is like to live with every day. This site has meaning to it as well as accomplishment written on it unlike all the other social sites.
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Comment by mistmbc on September 30, 2008, 10:58 am
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Seriously, Ellen Gibson. Your reply on how your initial article was more apathetic, right? You really need to find a job in somehting other than journalism! If the only way for you to keep a subtle amount of recognition is to criticize the core of a human beings fundemental issues; which immobilizes them to accomplish events in every day life; which causes suicides and drug abuse; which is caused by past abuse, neglect, and trauma...I think you need more help than anyone on this site. Seriously, you need to seek help for your narcisistic personality and "God" disorder. If I could change places with you for one day, you would sh** your pants!
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Comment by Jolese on September 26, 2008, 6:00 pm
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Why would anyone think that a social networking site for SA sufferers is weird? HELLO!!! There is a whole movement out there called "SELF-HELP" It's actually a HUGELY popular concept. People with similar problems get together to support one another, discuss common issues, and just help each other out. You might call the concept of this site almost ironic, because of the nature of it, but weird? NO. That's just unintelligent name-calling.
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Comment by tgreen33 on August 19, 2008, 4:38 am
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I received a reply from the author.
"Dear T Green,
I received your email, and I’m sorry that the use of your image upset you. The design team generally just takes a random screen grab, so there’s no reason your picture can’t be removed, and I’ve passed along your request to the Web editor.
Now onto the bigger issue, which is the slideshow itself. It was envisioned as an amusing summer read—a puff piece to be quite honest—which is why I regret that we chose to include Social Anxiety Friends. While poking fun at overzealous pet owners and people who only fraternize with other beautiful people is pretty harmless, I should have been more sensitive to the way applying the “weird” label might affect SAD sufferers. In truth, I think the site offers a great support system, as I know how isolating the disorder can be. Originally it seemed sort of ironic that there is such a thriving social network for people with social anxiety disorder. Of course, that’s a superficial observation—it actually makes perfect sense that the relative anonymity of an online network would offer a safe place for SAD sufferers to share their personal anguish with empathetic strangers—but this list really wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously. (I think the headline makes it pretty clear that it’s hyperbolic.) For what it’s worth, the original draft I submitted said something to this effect: I had every intention of making fun of this site, but many of the stories are so heartbreaking that I can’t bring myself to. However, that tone shift was so jarring that we just decided to stick with the sort of snarky style but mock the most impersonal aspect of the site: the arcade. Not a terribly ingenious work-around, I realize, although I stand by the fact that a game that involves feeding human babies to alligators is pretty messed up. :)
Anyhow, I didn’t set out to make excuses, because I really do feel awful about the way the inclusion of SAF made you feel. In reality, I think almost all of the sites we joked about are wonderful (I don’t even mind the implants site, since both the men and women are getting something positive out of it). And while I can’t pretend to know what you’re dealing with, I will say this: It is tremendously anxiety-provoking to put your writing out there for anyone in the world to criticize; I only hope that in the future, if I provoke such a strong negative reaction, it will be because I’ve expressed a strongly held belief or an unpopular moral position, not because I was careless and thoughtless in a silly slideshow.
Sincerely,
Ellen Gibson"
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Comment by Linda_gx on August 18, 2008, 5:26 am
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If life saving via a social internet site is 'antisocial'or weird,,,then I'd rather be that than biggoted and condescending like the certain supposed 'do-gooder' who wrote that TERRIBLY OFFENSIVE article.
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I submitted this as a response to Ms. Gibson's article:
Dear Ms. Gibson~ I'm so glad that you are so amused about the fact that there's a social internet network for those who SUFFER with social anxiety. Where and how would you suggest we meet each other and discuss these issues? Have you read any of the posts where people write of their major accomplishments/actions/breakthroughs, due to the support of this site? You mentioned games, here's one. Why don't you think of whatever it is that TERRIFIES you most in your judgmental little life. Got it? OK, now pretend that's how you feel whenever you even THINK about having to interact with another human being, much less actually having to go to work, MAKE FRIENDS, run errands? Are you thinking about how horribly lonely and emotionally painful it might be? Or how humiliating it is when attempting to converse with others, ask for something, stand up for yourself or a cause you believe in but can't? Having to desperately struggle, stutter and mumble, searching for words, everyday simple words to speak, no matter what your level of intelligence or vocabulary, but are rendered mute due to the tremendous amount of terror and panic that consumes you. Fearing that you may say the wrong thing, sound stupid, unintentionally insult others, be made fun of or maybe even be labeled WEIRD? Some of us even use drugs and/or alcohol and/or commit suicide because of the pain, isolation and depression that social anxiety causes. That WAS a FUN game wasn't it? And you're right, you didn't even have to walk out the door to play.
Sincerely,
Just Another Weirdo
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Comment by tgreen33 on August 14, 2008, 4:47 am
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At least they didn't use your page. I've asked them to take my image off but I bet they just ignore me.
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Comment by iotangel on August 14, 2008, 4:23 am
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Yep, some people will never understand.
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