Paranoid Personality Disorder

What you have here is a few people with paranoid personality disorder wrecking this forum. Unfortunately, the topic of possible life on Mars is exactly the sort of thing that attracts them. Read about Paranoid Personality Disorder on this site for starters...

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The posters meet all the criteria...

* They have secret information that only they can "see". They "see" fossils of impossible creatures or objects in every photo.

* They feel that NASA is "hiding" something. If only the world would listen to them. NASA deliberately "avoids" taking the pictures that would prove "their" theories right. The rovers are steered away... the photos are taken at too low a resolution on purpose...

* The other posters are "out to get them" and have "closed minds". Only they have the Secret Knowledge, and it is so clear to them. Even though they are only one person and they may not have any scientific background in this field at all, they know better than the worlds best experts and they are sure of it. If only the others would listen to Them.

* They are easily offended, quick to argue, and irrational in their beliefs. They see slight in every response to their postings. This is very typical of this disorder.

* Unfortunately, because of the nature of this disorder, people that have it don't generally seek the help that they need. Arguing with them will not help, and in cases like this it will just confirm their conspiracy theories.

I'm moving to another forum that has moderation, this one isn't worth visiting any more. It only takes a few people to wreck it for everyone

Dr. Smith from "Lost in Space?" Oh dear.

Couldn't agree more Dr Smith! I used to visit this forum every day on numerous occasions hoping to catch up on the very latest...now it's just "Giant crab claws","dragons" and "shark's teeth"...
Enough is enough...

Couldn't agree more Dr Smith! I used to visit this forum every day on numerous occasions hoping to catch up on the very latest...now it's just "Giant crab claws","dragons" and "shark's teeth"...
Enough is enough...

Couldn't agree more Dr Smith! I used to visit this forum every day on numerous occasions hoping to catch up on the very latest...now it's just "Giant crab claws","dragons" and "shark's teeth"...
Enough is enough...

Jason
While I agree that Many people use their own experience to describe what they see on these photos and in the end they are probably not correct in their description I do not see how they are Wrecking this discussion. The only way I can see that it can be "wrecked" is by doing what you say and that is by abandoning it altogether.
I am a big boy and make my own theories on what I see and see no use of Degrading others with psycho babel. Either stay in the discussion and add something you believe to be valid or be my guest and leave.
Im sure you won't be missed
R

Excuse me Jason
It was Dr Smith (Danger Will Robinson) who wanted to leave.
My bad
R

My take was more borderline schizo, definately a loose grip on objective reality. I have had opportunity to talk to some bona fide schizo's, and in some ways the conversations can be fascinating. They tend to construct there own version of reality, which is consistent with objective reality in many ways. What is striking about a schizo is it is very difficult to pinpoit precisely where there reality diverges from the consensual one. Unless they are delusional, there direct observations of reality are the same, but the intepretation of what those observations tend to be, well, ODD.

For an interesting study from inside the minde of a high functioning schizo, read Philip K Dick. He definately went a little nuits towards the end. I think VALIS and his exegis are truely remarkable. But, all hsi work touches on this subject. Total Recal, the movie, was based on one of his stories, and shows how he felt reality itself could so easily come apart. I think this was how he experienced the world, and through his writing you can see how an intelligent, functional, literate man sees the world "from the other side". The case of "a Beautiful Mind" is very similar, with a true genious descending into madness and then returning, but unfortunately Nash did not write much during the depths of his madness, that I know. What is also curious about Nash's madness was that the FBI really was following him, for legitimate reason. He was losing his mind and also had national security secrets in his head. So, they bastards really WERE out to get him.

But, I digress. I doubt we hav anyone of the caliber of Dick or Nash on this site!

"Dr. Smith":
Some of the recent posts appear actually
threatening. See "listen to me all". If you're
a real psychologist, maybe authorities should
be notified?

Yeah, Philip K. Dick was a genius. He had lots of insight into the human condition, and his stories were almost always entertaining. I've read most of his novels but I've still got a couple of volumes of short stories to get through.

Another excellent sci/spec-fiction writer is Theodore Sturgeon. Sometimes you'd barely recognize his writing as spec-fic. PKD always ends up painting these odd robots and creatures and misfits with a strong hint of basic humanity (you usually feel sort of sorry for them and the predicaments they get stuck in) - but sturgeon's characters are more accessible - more vivid. Not better, just different.

"The Man who Lost the Sea" (sturgeon) is one of the best sci-fi stories I've ever read. I won't spoil the awesome ending, but it's about Mars.

I am wondering, can i be spreading, or radiating my dilusions to others, or causing others to See, things as i do? Some sort of mass hysteria? Because it seems more and more people are seeing things, that others are not. I agree R, I am a big boy and can make up my own mind, and change it, at will. I welcome ALL input, except the degrading, and riducle of others. Please to all, respect others threads, if you want to comment, stick to the matter at hand, Then a seperate, divided forum, Tin hats/ Real science, speculation/observation, would be unnecesary.

This is a blog guys, nothing more. I see no evidence of terroristic threatening here, just fervent discourse, and I'm usually on the bitter end from some of you.

Enjoy the show, enjoy the ride, just keep in mind that there are younger viewers who deserve our respect. No Name is right, a little more respect and calm is all that is needed. Everyone has a valid opinion, even ES. Besides what's wrong with a little sublte humor? Were some of you beaten with coat hangers by your Mothers, geeze.

Smith, everyone is a little neurotic. I just thank god there are not more institutions to house everyone. Half the population would either be hospitalized or in prison.

While there may be a few that really are schitzo here. I think some are posting outlandish claims just to get the rest of us worked up.

They had me thinking that they really beleived their own rantings until EXTRA SENSE claimed the duck decoy wasn't a "duck decoy", but, a real duck. That was too funny!

So, there is both humor and a little bit of science being discussed here.

" I am wondering, can i be spreading, or radiating my dilusions to others, or causing others to See, things as i do?"

I think you've just summed up the human condition.

"Convincing peeeeeeeeeopllllllee.."
- Genesis P'orridge

Extra Sense is clearly a troll. I'm not so sure about Amalgamale (though am considering the possibility), I don't think mann is.

What is a troll?

Ok,Ok....I'll put up with everything...EXCEPT.....making fun of the duck. It my only 'find', and I take it seriously. The implications that follow if it is a decoy are much more facinating and potentially much more culture shattering and evocative, than if it is merely an actual duck fossil. You guys are ALL missing the point.....well, maybe Greg1962 is getting close to home....but, still, Just think about it! Ok! Have you all thought about it? Good, now, go have lunch. And remember.....A good beef stew is better than a false prophet. Scott

Greg - from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

Common types of troll messages or activities:

Off topic messages – "Can anyone help me make a webpage?" "No, this is a music forum."
Inflammatory messages – "You are an idiot for including this type of message in your list."
messages containing an obvious flaw or error – "I think 2001: A Space Odyssey is Roman Polanski's best movie."
intentionally naive or politically contentious messages -- "I think George W. Bush is the best/worst President ever"
Intentionally posting an outrageous argument deliberately constructed around a fundamental but obfuscated flaw or error.
posting a ridiculous claim and then insisting it's true unless people refute it to their satisfaction.
making loud claims to be on the defensive, while the claims are a guise for their aggressive maneuvers including offensive media such as annoying sound files or disturbing pictures in a message.

Dr. Smith or AGENT SMITH!!!

/runs to grab lithium

Anyone know of any Mars forums where intelligent discussion is taking place about the findings of the rovers, as opposed to blather about dragons' teeths, bunnies, duck decoys and the like?

"What is a troll?"

Someone who makes ignorant, inflammatory, or contradictory statements to get attention or cause controversy in some sort of online forum.