Hello,
Just so you all know, I, for one, have never thought of Ron's expression
and conviction as bullying. The misinterpretation and offense taken in any
e-mails of list serve is the consequence of an absence of non-verbal cues and
the nuance of tone of voice etc...In any face to face conversation these issues
would discussed with greater clarity, and good will....this is the flaw of
written electronic communications.
Also, the OT culture tends to be one of "lets all agree and get along and
think the same way...at all costs". Think of the "OT Practice Framework " or
"Occuapation is defined as...."
I see this trend in theory, academic, and clinical arenas. The national and
state associations try to send a uniform and positive message about the
profession as a matter of public relations and building membership. However,
spirited debate over some of these professional and controversial practice
topics is sorely missing in most OT departments and in forums and association
gatherings. I once tried to start a journal club at my place of work...but
nobody was interested. I would assume that other science- driven and evidence
based disciplines would have some degree of exchange and discourse. I know for
a fact that other professions have there own issues to discuss and problems to
solve.
There is a certain degree of apathy, and lack of enthusiasm, in membership,
and in leadership. That being said, we should be thankful for people who have
enough energy and conviction to take up theses issues and/or take leadership
roles at any level. If you are one of those...I thank you now. Opinions should
be shared. We may disagree without being disagreeable. Ultimately we should
support an uplift one another.
I personally don't like to spin things too negatively because I think that
does little to inspire changes in people or organizations and also tends to
push some into a more pronounced sense of apathy.
In the electronic media, with its lack of other cues, it's all about choice
of words and tone when making a firmly persuasive argument rather than a
message of outrage ,fear. and hopelessness. It's important for us all
to examine all all firmly held beliefs/knowledge and frequently re-exmine them.
Additionally ,we should see other points of view from time to time, in order to
grow and develop. This is part of critical thinking.
Thanks for listening,
With respect
Brent
"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will
be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties."
Sir Francis Bacon
English author, courtier, & philosopher (1561 - 1626)
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