I wonder why that on the boards, threads that are started with a negative twist (eg: new grads with attitude; the good/bad/ugly of US's; catty nurses; nurses who shouldn't be nurses) grow to multiple pages while threads with a positive twist (eg: amazing stories in nursing; why choose nursing; high school inquiries; etc) fall to the bottom of our screens with hardly a whisper.
Seems like we always have something to say or an opinion about something bad, but nary a positive thought or opinion related to what is good.
The repetitiveness of negativity is very disheartening. Those threads really bother me. Am I alone?
I wonder why that on the boards, threads that are started with a negative twist (eg: new grads with attitude; the good/bad/ugly of US's; catty nurses; nurses who shouldn't be nurses) grow to multiple pages while threads with a positive twist (eg: amazing stories in nursing; why choose nursing; high school inquiries; etc) fall to the bottom of our screens with hardly a whisper.
Seems like we always have something to say or an opinion about something bad, but nary a positive thought or opinion related to what is good.
The repetitiveness of negativity is very disheartening. Those threads really bother me. Am I alone?
Any thoughts on that?
What gets me, I guess, is how some people seem to just assume that negativity is a bad thing. I suppose they would have it all Yin with no Yang (or is it all Yang with no Yin?). Frankly, cheerful, optimistic people get on my nerves. And really, isn't griping about negativity still a form of griping?
Especially for someone like me--a basically happy-go-lucky, glass-half-full kind of guy--I think pessimists and doomsayers are important in keeping our expectations realistic.
So, what it comes down to, I suppose, is that people who don't like what others have to say should just keep their opinions to themselves, because all this complaining about negativity just bums me out!
Sorry. I was up late watching Denis Leary, last night, then had to work day shift. Truth is, there are times when a rollicking brawl is fun, and other times when it seems a little stale. My favorite threads, generally are those with heartfelt, but reasoned debate. I do think most posters do a pretty decent job of observing the Terms of Engagement (or whatever) most of the time, and I'm generally pleased with the level of discourse. I've reached the point where I can easily understand the frustration that arises when some dead horses are dragged out for another beating, but I remind myself that when you've just arrived on the scene, it may not be so obvious that the horse is dead.
P.S. Is it just me, or does it seem like the people with BSNs are more negative than the ASNs and LPNs?
Okay, seeing it as a sort of a vent instead of just pokes.
I like the car wreck analogy.
For me, it just takes so much energy to be negative. It's draining. You know, like it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
Not trying to bring about feelings of guilt, just stating my observation.
Thanks for the replies.
I agree, it can be draining. Some of us do seem to have a perpetual cloud of negativity around us. I notice that some of us share complaints much more effectively than positive experiences.
Here's a little exercise. Scroll down to finish it. No peeking, ok?
I say the word "nursing."
Right at that moment, what did your facial expression do? Did you frown or smile?
That might tell you a little about yourself right there.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
Positive, neutral or negative...many of the posts spark debate...not a bad thing. Sharing joy or venting frustrations gives you a piece of someone else's world. Not a bad thing at all. The posts are like watching TV in a way. It is you who decides if you want to tune in or not...like flipping a channel. What I like about many of our postings is that many require you to think...maybe to discuss your own thoughts/beliefs...maybe even challenging our own viewpoints...which is good! Who wants to live in a box, thinking the same thing all the time? I would dread living or being with folks who think exactly like I do ALL THE TIME...little wolfy clones....how boring. Debate is good. Helps you to mature your mind.
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llg, PhD, RN
13,469 Posts
The "dark side" is usually more interesting and complex. That's why the Star Wars saga is really the story of Darth Vader and not Luke Skywalker.
llg