I read and post on several other message boards, some of them for years, and this one is unique. The posters are well-read, articulate, sensitive, funny, supportive, and the level of discourse to be found here matches or exceeds that of some graduate seminars I've taken. The fact that someone (and it's not always me ) can suggest a book and several people will go out and read it so we can discuss it is very unusual.

Most of the other boards I read are much more superficial and there is a lot of complaining. On other boards (that I read), posts are almost always very short and not very well thought out. Here, people will actually read a long post and reply to specific points. Heck, this doesn't happen all that often face to face.

The fact that this is in writing and not face to face does not negate the value of the experience. Throughout history, people have corresponded, poured their hearts out, shared feelings, developed relationships, etc. IN WRITING-- they just couldn't do it as fast as we can on the internet. The speed of response is one of the really gratifying things. I remember one day I checked in in the morning, looked around, and nothing much was happening-- when I came back in the afternoon, corri had posted something and there were over 50 responses! I love that.

Unless you've experienced the level of communication that goes on here, I think it might be easy to assume this is just an escape internet toy or something.

Having said all these positive things, I think it is a good idea to take a break from here from time to time. This is a place where we focus on problems, and you can kind of lose perspective.

But overall there is a lot of respect, caring, and affection in this group, and I consider this board an extremely positive element in my life. I've learned SOOOO much that I would never have learned in face to face conversations. It's all been good.