Comments for OUPblog http://blog.oup.com Academic insights for the thinking world. Sat, 25 May 2013 23:50:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Comment on Tragedy of the science-communication commons by Shecky R http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/science-communication-statistics/#comment-428947 Shecky R Sat, 25 May 2013 23:50:31 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=42382#comment-428947 Maybe I'm misconstruing you, but several points seem off-the-mark: 1) Science and science communication are two different things (though they can overlap or intermingle). A person can be good at doing science and poor at communicating it (indeed, in some historical cases, good science was done and only discovered long after the doer's demise, if s/he never promoted it). 2) There are certainly ELEMENTS of good communication (that cross a lot of different boundaries), but saying there is a "science of science communication" seems an overreach. 3) Finally, skeptics have always been around but simply have easier means for connecting with a wider audience today. I knew folks 40 years ago who saw very little good 'science' coming from epidemiology and today they can get a hearing. Science communication is difficult because real science IS difficult and only narrowly accessible. What is more concerning is not the citizenry's poor understanding of science (which will always exist), but the growing lack of TRUST they have in the scientific community -- an unwillingness to any longer accept things based on a scientist's say-so. Just as atheists and agnostics toward religion have become more prominent, so have those who are atheistic or agnostic toward science! Maybe I’m misconstruing you, but several points seem off-the-mark:

1) Science and science communication are two different things (though they can overlap or intermingle). A person can be good at doing science and poor at communicating it (indeed, in some historical cases, good science was done and only discovered long after the doer’s demise, if s/he never promoted it).

2) There are certainly ELEMENTS of good communication (that cross a lot of different boundaries), but saying there is a “science of science communication” seems an overreach.

3) Finally, skeptics have always been around but simply have easier means for connecting with a wider audience today. I knew folks 40 years ago who saw very little good ‘science’ coming from epidemiology and today they can get a hearing.

Science communication is difficult because real science IS difficult and only narrowly accessible. What is more concerning is not the citizenry’s poor understanding of science (which will always exist), but the growing lack of TRUST they have in the scientific community — an unwillingness to any longer accept things based on a scientist’s say-so. Just as atheists and agnostics toward religion have become more prominent, so have those who are atheistic or agnostic toward science!

]]> Comment on Getting to the heart of poetry by Allan http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/getting-to-the-heart-of-poetry/#comment-428466 Allan Sat, 25 May 2013 11:23:28 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=42458#comment-428466 Kaiti, listening to your Sir Gawain piece was one of the highlights of my life - and I'm 67. Intensely moving, soothing, enchanting,AND learned by heart in a very real way. A recital to be immensely proud of and one I shall never forget. Even now, I've asked Roger McGough if there's any way he can let me have a recording!! Well done indeed!! Kaiti, listening to your Sir Gawain piece was one of the highlights of my life – and I’m 67. Intensely moving, soothing, enchanting,AND learned by heart in a very real way. A recital to be immensely proud of and one I shall never forget. Even now, I’ve asked Roger McGough if there’s any way he can let me have a recording!! Well done indeed!!

]]> Comment on People of computing by Dianne Murray http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/people-computer-science-quiz/#comment-427562 Dianne Murray Fri, 24 May 2013 18:48:58 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41075#comment-427562 'Fathers and mothers'? A single question on Grace Hopper and the bug legend. No other women - at all? ‘Fathers and mothers’? A single question on Grace Hopper and the bug legend. No other women – at all?

]]> Comment on People of computing by Tom http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/people-computer-science-quiz/#comment-427297 Tom Fri, 24 May 2013 14:13:47 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41075#comment-427297 Glad to see my random access memory is functioning well. Glad to see my random access memory is functioning well.

]]> Comment on Clinician’s guide to DSM-5 by The Psychiatric Side-shuffle Continues: Distancing from DSM-5 http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/clinician-guide-to-dsm-5/#comment-427140 The Psychiatric Side-shuffle Continues: Distancing from DSM-5 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:19:30 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=38090#comment-427140 [...] a review.  But in the meantime, Dr. Paris has posted on Oxford University Press’s website a brief essay to promote the book.  The essay has lots of interesting aspects, and I thought it might be helpful to examine it in [...] [...] a review.  But in the meantime, Dr. Paris has posted on Oxford University Press’s website a brief essay to promote the book.  The essay has lots of interesting aspects, and I thought it might be helpful to examine it in [...]

]]> Comment on A different approach by Gene W. http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/different-approach-to-playing-clarinet/#comment-426710 Gene W. Fri, 24 May 2013 00:55:07 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=42431#comment-426710 Maybe it depends on more on the composer than the music. Each one has a unique footprint that a good musician understands and follows. Maybe it depends on more on the composer than the music. Each one has a unique footprint that a good musician understands and follows.

]]> Comment on Multifarious devils, part 1: “bogey” by Vannessa http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/bogey-word-origin-etymology/#comment-426237 Vannessa Thu, 23 May 2013 12:47:31 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41019#comment-426237 It was once said to refer to the 'Bugis' man, a seafarer, who came quietly in the night. True? I'm not sure. Bugis as of Indinesian origin. Good luck investigating. It was once said to refer to the ‘Bugis’ man, a seafarer, who came quietly in the night. True? I’m not sure. Bugis as of Indinesian origin. Good luck investigating.

]]> Comment on Sinfonia Antartica: ‘Good, great and joyous, beautiful and free’ by The old shall be made new | OUPblog http://blog.oup.com/2012/11/sinfonia-antartica-ralph-vaughan-williams-scott-antarctic/#comment-426044 The old shall be made new | OUPblog Thu, 23 May 2013 10:30:39 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=30804#comment-426044 [...] Later this summer, we hear Anthony Payne’s re-imagining not of Elgar but of another Vaughan Williams score. At the request of the BBC he has orchestrated the Four Last Songs, written by Vaughan Williams (originally for voice and piano) to poems by Ursula in the last years of his life, and published posthumously by OUP. Payne’s orchestration will be heard at the Royal Albert Hall in a BBC Promenade Concert on 4 September 2013. New versions of works by Vaughan Williams? The composer would most definitely have approved, but that is another story. Simon Wright is Head of Rights & Contracts, Music at Oxford University Press. Read his previous blog post: “Sinfonia Antartica: ‘Good, great and joyous, beautiful and free’.” [...] [...] Later this summer, we hear Anthony Payne’s re-imagining not of Elgar but of another Vaughan Williams score. At the request of the BBC he has orchestrated the Four Last Songs, written by Vaughan Williams (originally for voice and piano) to poems by Ursula in the last years of his life, and published posthumously by OUP. Payne’s orchestration will be heard at the Royal Albert Hall in a BBC Promenade Concert on 4 September 2013. New versions of works by Vaughan Williams? The composer would most definitely have approved, but that is another story. Simon Wright is Head of Rights & Contracts, Music at Oxford University Press. Read his previous blog post: “Sinfonia Antartica: ‘Good, great and joyous, beautiful and free’.” [...]

]]> Comment on Multifarious devils, part 1: “bogey” by grrlscientist http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/bogey-word-origin-etymology/#comment-425322 grrlscientist Wed, 22 May 2013 20:11:30 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41019#comment-425322 soooo ... a bogeyman is not a snotball (booger) shaped like a man? or a man-booger? soooo … a bogeyman is not a snotball (booger) shaped like a man? or a man-booger?

]]> Comment on Maybe academics aren’t so stupid after all by Academic writing, the ivory fortress, and the virtues of vacillation | Inventing the Discipline http://blog.oup.com/2013/02/academic-speech-patterns-linguistics/#comment-425202 Academic writing, the ivory fortress, and the virtues of vacillation | Inventing the Discipline Wed, 22 May 2013 18:44:48 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=34699#comment-425202 [...] wanted to start by writing about Peter Elbow’s OUP blog entry, “Maybe academics aren’t so stupid after all” because I’ve thought [...] [...] wanted to start by writing about Peter Elbow’s OUP blog entry, “Maybe academics aren’t so stupid after all” because I’ve thought [...]

]]> Comment on Clinician’s guide to DSM-5 by Problems, Explanations, and Solutions | DxSummit.org http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/clinician-guide-to-dsm-5/#comment-424985 Problems, Explanations, and Solutions | DxSummit.org Wed, 22 May 2013 15:58:47 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=38090#comment-424985 [...] and validity. We also know that people have difficulty understanding this; indeed, a recent blogger suggested that diagnoses are necessary for communication “even if they’re wrong” – a [...] [...] and validity. We also know that people have difficulty understanding this; indeed, a recent blogger suggested that diagnoses are necessary for communication “even if they’re wrong” – a [...]

]]> Comment on The oddest English spellings, part 20: The letter “y” by Camilla LGBT Theatre http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/oddest-english-spellings-part-20-letter-y/#comment-424727 Camilla LGBT Theatre Wed, 22 May 2013 12:48:47 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=40882#comment-424727 And a whole other topic which I'd love to see you write on is how ruling powers try to control language! I know you mention it in jest but there is a war against Singlish (Singapore and English) and the letter 'w' in France. Are they failing? Language definitely is cultural but with the huge influences of English(American) culture, it becomes something which is opted in to, rather than something which is fixed. Any thoughts on how those and other countries (Welsh?) are succeeding? And should they? And a whole other topic which I’d love to see you write on is how ruling powers try to control language!

I know you mention it in jest but there is a war against Singlish (Singapore and English) and the letter ‘w’ in France. Are they failing? Language definitely is cultural but with the huge influences of English(American) culture, it becomes something which is opted in to, rather than something which is fixed.

Any thoughts on how those and other countries (Welsh?) are succeeding? And should they?

]]> Comment on Personality disorders, the DSM, and the future of diagnosis by Patrick http://blog.oup.com/2012/12/personality-disorders-the-dsm-and-the-future-of-diagnosis/#comment-424093 Patrick Wed, 22 May 2013 05:33:05 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=32284#comment-424093 Professor Shorter, Thanks for your work on the history of psychopathology. As a practicing psychotherapist of 16 years and a student of theory, I have reached the conclusion that much of the diagnosis that takes place these days is essentially a way of characterizing various aspects of the human condition as biologically determined medical conditions. Perhaps personality problems shouldn't be in a medical book (the DSM) but historically at least they have conveyed a different meaning to people about the nature of their suffering and, therefore, about what might be done about it. Our understanding of psychopathology seems to be in an early stage of development and it is epistemologically very messy. Why not simply acknowledge this and use our diagnostic system clinically as a work in progress? Professor Shorter, Thanks for your work on the history of psychopathology. As a practicing psychotherapist of 16 years and a student of theory, I have reached the conclusion that much of the diagnosis that takes place these days is essentially a way of characterizing various aspects of the human condition as biologically determined medical conditions. Perhaps personality problems shouldn’t be in a medical book (the DSM) but historically at least they have conveyed a different meaning to people about the nature of their suffering and, therefore, about what might be done about it. Our understanding of psychopathology seems to be in an early stage of development and it is epistemologically very messy. Why not simply acknowledge this and use our diagnostic system clinically as a work in progress?

]]> Comment on The oddest English spellings, part 20: The letter “y” by Brianne Hughes http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/oddest-english-spellings-part-20-letter-y/#comment-423516 Brianne Hughes Tue, 21 May 2013 22:08:51 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=40882#comment-423516 I have a question about monkeys in regard to your January 23rd post. In Spanish, the phrase "¡qué mono!" looks like 'what monkey" but actually means "how cute" or "how sweet." Does 'mono' mean sweet in Spanish because of the cuteness of monkeys (or cute monks)? I can't decide if that is just a convenient answer, or a possibly correct answer. I have a question about monkeys in regard to your January 23rd post. In Spanish, the phrase “¡qué mono!” looks like ‘what monkey” but actually means “how cute” or “how sweet.”

Does ‘mono’ mean sweet in Spanish because of the cuteness of monkeys (or cute monks)? I can’t decide if that is just a convenient answer, or a possibly correct answer.

]]> Comment on Is It True What They Said About John Dillinger? by David Gamblin http://blog.oup.com/2009/07/dillinger_dick/#comment-423227 David Gamblin Tue, 21 May 2013 18:35:24 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=5120#comment-423227 It is located in a display on the 4th or 5th floor @ the Old FBI headquarters. I have seen it. My father was an F.B.I. Agent for 27 years. Was 14 years old when I saw it. I asked Dad what was that black stick doing in the display. He told me... It is located in a display on the 4th or 5th floor @ the Old FBI headquarters. I have seen it. My father was an F.B.I. Agent for 27 years. Was 14 years old when I saw it. I asked Dad what was that black stick doing in the display. He told me…

]]> Comment on The dire offences of Alexander Pope by Pam Simpson http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/dire-offences-alexander-pope/#comment-422951 Pam Simpson Tue, 21 May 2013 16:04:02 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41862#comment-422951 The reason Alexander Pope was the topic of much debate and outright argument is because he was too far ahead of his time to be fully understood and appreciated. Unfortunately, he's ahead of our times too, do the disagreement continues. I suspect it's still going to be a long time before his true genius is appreciated by all. The reason Alexander Pope was the topic of much debate and outright argument is because he was too far ahead of his time to be fully understood and appreciated. Unfortunately, he’s ahead of our times too, do the disagreement continues. I suspect it’s still going to be a long time before his true genius is appreciated by all.

]]> Comment on American psychiatry is morally challenged by sudon't http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/american-psychiatry-is-morally-challenged-dsm-5/#comment-422729 sudon't Tue, 21 May 2013 13:32:19 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41308#comment-422729 Psychiatry is more like a religion than like a medical field. And like religion, there is no real science involved. In the world of make-believe, anything goes. It's not just the "new drugs" that are frauds, it's practically the whole field. It's like complaining that the transubstantiation part of the Catholic mass is a fraud - as if the rest weren't. Psychiatry is more like a religion than like a medical field. And like religion, there is no real science involved. In the world of make-believe, anything goes. It’s not just the “new drugs” that are frauds, it’s practically the whole field. It’s like complaining that the transubstantiation part of the Catholic mass is a fraud – as if the rest weren’t.

]]> Comment on Workplace mobbing: add Ann Curry to its slate of victims by Marlenis smart http://blog.oup.com/2013/04/workplace-mobbing-ann-curry-nbc-today-show/#comment-421894 Marlenis smart Tue, 21 May 2013 02:26:25 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=39561#comment-421894 After reading some of the things that Ann Curry went though I can relate to them. I achieved my dream in my career to only know it was about to become my nightmare of 8 years. I am a paramedic firefighter and I too was a victim of harassment in the work place. I signed up to save life's instead I was trying to save my own life from these so called heroes we are referred too. I am a mother of 4 and because I spoke out I am the target now. I have lost my job my career and my dream. I am in the 11 circuit with my case and the second is in federal court. I just hope justice prevails so no woman will ever have to go though the pain I have been though. My life my faith my hope that some where so one out there will put a stop to this city. There took my dream away but the one thing that keeps me going is that person in side that fighter that says everyday quitting is not a option here great book Dr Duffy and for Ann Curry you are a beautiful woman I have seen you on Tv keep doing what you do best and that is your career good luck. After reading some of the things that Ann Curry went though I can relate to them. I achieved my dream in my career to only know it was about to become my nightmare of 8 years. I am a paramedic firefighter and I too was a victim of harassment in the work place. I signed up to save life’s instead I was trying to save my own life from these so called heroes we are referred too. I am a mother of 4 and because I spoke out I am the target now. I have lost my job my career and my dream. I am in the 11 circuit with my case and the second is in federal court. I just hope justice prevails so no woman will ever have to go though the pain I have been though. My life my faith my hope that some where so one out there will put a stop to this city.

There took my dream away but the one thing that keeps me going is that person in side that fighter that says everyday quitting is not a option here great book Dr Duffy and for Ann Curry you are a beautiful woman I have seen you on Tv keep doing what you do best and that is your career good luck.

]]> Comment on Oxford Word Of The Year: Locavore by Tony Hoang http://blog.oup.com/2007/11/locavore/#comment-421019 Tony Hoang Mon, 20 May 2013 14:53:39 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/2007/11/locavore/#comment-421019 I’ve never heard it. I suppose that’s a good thing, because it’s a particularly ugly and ignorant coinage. I’ve never heard it. I suppose that’s a good thing, because it’s a particularly ugly and ignorant coinage.

]]> Comment on Oral history and hearing loss by Monday’s Link Roundup. | Dan Curtis ~ Professional Personal Historian http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/oral-history-hearing-loss/#comment-420982 Monday’s Link Roundup. | Dan Curtis ~ Professional Personal Historian Mon, 20 May 2013 14:34:03 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41069#comment-420982 [...] Oral history and hearing loss. “I rarely consider the basics of oral history collection and production, the act of sharing someone’s story with a wider audience. That is one of several reasons I so enjoyed Brad Rakerd’s contribution to Oral History Review issue on Oral History in the Digital Age, “On Making Oral Histories More Accessible to Persons with Hearing Loss.” In his piece, Rakerd discusses the obstacles people with hearing loss or other limitations on speech understanding face when engaging with oral history, and offers several recommendations to allow scholars to make their material more accessible. Mad with the power of the OUPblog post, I contacted Rakerd to prod him for more information.” [...] [...] Oral history and hearing loss. “I rarely consider the basics of oral history collection and production, the act of sharing someone’s story with a wider audience. That is one of several reasons I so enjoyed Brad Rakerd’s contribution to Oral History Review issue on Oral History in the Digital Age, “On Making Oral Histories More Accessible to Persons with Hearing Loss.” In his piece, Rakerd discusses the obstacles people with hearing loss or other limitations on speech understanding face when engaging with oral history, and offers several recommendations to allow scholars to make their material more accessible. Mad with the power of the OUPblog post, I contacted Rakerd to prod him for more information.” [...]

]]> Comment on Dangerous assumptions in neuroscience by W. R. Klemm http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/dangerous-assumptions-in-neuroscience/#comment-420952 W. R. Klemm Mon, 20 May 2013 14:12:55 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=39580#comment-420952 I concur that "mind" will never be explained by metabolic "hot spots" in the brain. There are other limitations of fMRI, which I explain in my 2011 book, Atoms of Mind. The carriers of information in the brain are patterns of nerve impulses. If you want to understand the biology of mind, that is where you will have to look. Bill Klemm Professor of Neuroscience, Texas A&M U. I concur that “mind” will never be explained by metabolic “hot spots” in the brain. There are other limitations of fMRI, which I explain in my 2011 book, Atoms of Mind.

The carriers of information in the brain are patterns of nerve impulses. If you want to understand the biology of mind, that is where you will have to look.

Bill Klemm
Professor of Neuroscience, Texas A&M U.

]]> Comment on Personality disorders in DSM-5 by Carol Smit http://blog.oup.com/2013/05/personality-disorders-dsm-5/#comment-420857 Carol Smit Mon, 20 May 2013 13:11:33 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=41011#comment-420857 As the Founder and Event Organiser of the Inaugural Bipolar Research Fund for Australia I am passionately involved with raising funds for the Australian Rotary Health/Ian Parker Bipolar Fund PhD Scholarship for Bipolar Research since the tragic death by suicide of my only beloved and gorgeous sibling Ian Parker. Ian was diagnosed with sever Bipolar Disorder and suffered much for over 25 years. In 1974 he graduated from La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria Australia as Dux of his class with a PhD in Honours of Quantum Physics and Chemistry. Ian was a very talented Year 11-12 Secondary Teacher of these subjects until he finally 'crashed' at age 34 years to be diagnosed (in those days)Manic Depression. I watched with great interest your interview on ABC 'Late-Line' 20th May 2013 - very inspiring - love to share my work in progress and would encourage your feedback and invite you to offer a link to my website if you wish. I have much more information to be uploaded about Ian's life's story and much more. Kind regards Yours sincerely Carol Smit As the Founder and Event Organiser of the Inaugural Bipolar Research Fund for Australia I am passionately involved with raising funds for the Australian Rotary Health/Ian Parker Bipolar Fund PhD Scholarship for Bipolar Research since the tragic death by suicide of my only beloved and gorgeous sibling Ian Parker. Ian was diagnosed with sever Bipolar Disorder and suffered much for over 25 years. In 1974 he graduated from La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria Australia as Dux of his class with a PhD in Honours of Quantum Physics and Chemistry. Ian was a very talented Year 11-12 Secondary Teacher of these subjects until he finally ‘crashed’ at age 34 years to be diagnosed (in those days)Manic Depression. I watched with great interest your interview on ABC ‘Late-Line’ 20th May 2013 – very inspiring – love to share my work in progress and would encourage your feedback and invite you to offer a link to my website if you wish. I have much more information to be uploaded about Ian’s life’s story and much more.
Kind regards
Yours sincerely
Carol Smit

]]> Comment on Who was Harry Hopkins? by VegasNed http://blog.oup.com/2013/01/who-was-harry-hopkins-fdr-wwii/#comment-420106 VegasNed Mon, 20 May 2013 02:36:34 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=33807#comment-420106 Hey David, What thoughts of you on the growing speculation in the last few years that Harry Hopkins was actually a Russian spy? The book "The Sword and the Shield" indicates that a former KGB spy identified Hopkins as “the most important of all Soviet wartime agents in the United States." While this doesn't explicitly state that Hopkins was a spy, Hopkins did apparently exhibit very pro-soviet behavior to the point of being anti-US. Example being that Hopkins tipped off the soviet embassy that US officials were listening to private conversations. Hey David,

What thoughts of you on the growing speculation in the last few years that Harry Hopkins was actually a Russian spy?

The book “The Sword and the Shield” indicates that a former KGB spy identified Hopkins as “the most important of all Soviet wartime agents in the United States.” While this doesn’t explicitly state that Hopkins was a spy, Hopkins did apparently exhibit very pro-soviet behavior to the point of being anti-US. Example being that Hopkins tipped off the soviet embassy that US officials were listening to private conversations.

]]> Comment on Woman – or Suffragette? by Suffragette Emily Davison still controversial after 100 years | Suffrage Wagon News Channel: BLOG http://blog.oup.com/2013/04/suffragette-word-origin-evolution-etymology/#comment-419332 Suffragette Emily Davison still controversial after 100 years | Suffrage Wagon News Channel: BLOG Sun, 19 May 2013 15:31:29 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=37864#comment-419332 [...] more to the story of Emily Davidson? #1. #2. An overview of the suffrage movement in England. #1. #2. Art work planned for Emily Davison. #1. #2.   Emily Davison play. #1. #2. Emily fund. #1. [...] [...] more to the story of Emily Davidson? #1. #2. An overview of the suffrage movement in England. #1. #2. Art work planned for Emily Davison. #1. #2.   Emily Davison play. #1. #2. Emily fund. #1. [...]

]]> Comment on 8 Reasons to Unfriend Someone on Facebook by BB http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/unfriend-facebook/#comment-418558 BB Sun, 19 May 2013 05:35:14 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6518#comment-418558 I'm considering removing a friend that I've known for more than 12 years. I've had a horrible year--job loss, disappointment with a major project, three deaths in my family, and I was just diagnosed with heart disease and must undergo a cardiac cath. He has not supported me and/or offered his condolences on any of these major life issues though he's apparently following my updates. A couple of times, he posted inappropriate, insensitive jokes on my wall. I removed another friend, because she too showed a lack of support, and I was tired of the way her every message had a: *sigh*, *giggles*,*huge grin*, etc. I’m considering removing a friend that I’ve known for more than 12 years. I’ve had a horrible year–job loss, disappointment with a major project, three deaths in my family, and I was just diagnosed with heart disease and must undergo a cardiac cath. He has not supported me and/or offered his condolences on any of these major life issues though he’s apparently following my updates. A couple of times, he posted inappropriate, insensitive jokes on my wall.

I removed another friend, because she too showed a lack of support, and I was tired of the way her every message had a: *sigh*, *giggles*,*huge grin*, etc.

]]>