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Aislin
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Speaking the truth is never a waste of time. With every telling of our story our voice gets stronger. That's a pretty big difference to me |
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Irish
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No, not at all. Especially this section which has a tremendous amount of participation. Whoever made the statement of little impact in the real world has no facts to turn to. They just threw out an opinion. |
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Randy B
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Does it make a difference in the grand scheme of things? Not one bit in my opinion. Does it make a difference for those who come buy here looking for info? Sure.
For some it's like reality TV, entertaining but ultimately just fluff. For others it's like a documentary and they learn something. |
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Megan
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I disagree also lots of people answer and post |
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Ranchmom1
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Sometimes people have said I've made them think about something differently. I don't think it's a waste of time. I always appreciate thoughtful answers to my questions in other areas of Yahoo Answers, so I think people appreciate a thoughtful answer here too. |
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Cambria
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I disagree. If nothing else, my time on here has made a difference to me. Whether it has made a difference for other people, I couldn't say. I can only speak to my own experience and I have learned a lot from my time on here. |
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3 girls and 1 boy for me!
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I think we all make a difference if we take the genuine advice and information and responsibility pass it on to others. |
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Nurse Autumn Intactivist NFP
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I very much disagree. I think there are a LOT more lurkers on here than people know. I was a lurker here fro a long time before I started posting. I have learned SO MUCH in the past 2 years, and even though I don't post here as much as I used to (my crazy life...), I do still check in a lot. And guess what? I AM STILL LEARNING!!!!!!
So don't let stupid people get you down, you touch more people than you know |
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Sunny
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No, it's not a waste of time.
I have helped turn two non-searching adoptees on to searching, one is already in reunion! I received very nice e-mails from them both commenting on my comments making them "angry" enough to move forward.
I believe I also may have convinced a few mothers to parent their own children.
Ans I also know that an AP here didn't change her daughter's name because of some advice I gave.
That's enough for me! ;-) |
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Tam
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I do not feel this to be a waste of time. Anytime I learn anything I do not view it as a waste of time. Also I don't view teaching people things and sharing experiences as a waste of time. I view this section as a place for people who have been affected with adoption in various ways to come together and teach each other and to learn from one another. And for people that come here that may not have been affected by adoption their insights are just as valuable as they give a view from the outside looking in.
If I felt this section on Yahoo Answers was a waste of time I would not come here. |
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mom lost 66
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you can't get anymore real than this it is real
people asking real questions and real
people answering these questions no matter what the
subject is the answer is real no matter how or who reads it |
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Carol c
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I don't think we're wasting time. If some of our posts help even one person to view adoption in a different light; it's worth it. I think it's a great forum to express different points of view. There will always be people in the world who choose to view things with blinders on; but I believe that more often than not - the people who are posting about the dysfunctional adoption system as an example, are making good and valid points that often help those who are ambivalent see adoption from another perspective |
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cricketlady
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No you are not wasting your time---in fact I've done a lot of soul searching since I find this section. I better understand my daughter I think. |
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monkeykitty83
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Well, it's not exactly curing cancer, but all the same, I wouldn't call it a waste of time. I think there is merit in learning from each other, sharing ideas, and hearing different points of view, even if it never affects anyone beyond the people who post and read here-- and you never know, it might even affect others too.
I think it (hopefully) helps us open our minds a little, and that's a good thing for ANY human being to experience now and then. |
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Tonia
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No, I think it is very thought provoking.
This is not the "real world" by far and as far as its impact on the real world, I think it has little impact... but impact is impact. Who's to say what "little" impact is to a child who's life is helped by a little comment.
I think many people in here make a difference in the real world. I also think some in here take it way too literally. |
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...
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I think it's possible to have an impact in individuals but in the grand scheme of things...... I think there are much better ways to make a difference IRL.
"Are we just waisting time?"
That's up to you.... even if you help 1 person.... is it a waste of time?
What I was referring to earlier was it was a waste of time for those who want to find financial gain from posting here... they get an emotional pay off.
I think there are more productive avenues than posting on Y/A. I feel that reaching out strangers IRL and not being afraid to stand strong will do more good, than waiting to pounce on anyone who "Doesn't get it" on Y/A..... |
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parenting is an option II
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I learn a lot from the regulars here. I learned more about the baby scoop era, I learned about operation baby lift, more details about foster care, and about entitlement and human nature. It has impacted me. And I will always appreciate those that help me understand and give me support. |
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gypsywinter
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Yahoo.com is definitely a part of the 'real world'. The same as Google, MSN and a host of others. These are REAL companies, that make REAL $$$$$, totally dependent on REAL people to utilize their services. Are we not all 'real people' who are reading and typing away on our computers, as we speak/type? Or are we just ghosts haunting the internet?
When I was working..part of my job was to utilize the Internet and look for 'answers' to questions I had in order to do a better job. I would fall upon out of the way places..that truly answered my 'questions' in regards to my appointed responsibilities at my place of employment. Now that was just in my area of employment..do the nay-sayers of YA Answers..think 'others' are not doing the same..while fullfilling their designated tasks at their places of employment?
Then you also have the curious..the people looking for 'answers' on any manner of subject...and sooner or later with a Yahoo, Google, etc. search..one just may stumble upon an answer at YA, that either gives them an answer to their question or at the very least sends them on a journey for more Answers elsewhere. It is known to have happened! |
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MamaKate is an Aunt!
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I disagree. I have too many thank you notes in my inbox to feel otherwise. |
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DevonChaos
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Well, some people may disagree with things I say, but I will still say them. I disagree with what others say, but I still read it. I have learned many new things here, and I have also been connected with people who have made a huge difference in my life. If not for Y!A, I wouldn't have found them.
People try to silence others by saying their opinions don't count, but they do. Every ones opinion means something. Just because someone doesn't agree, it doesn't invalidate their opinion. There are people, however, who are hell-bent for trouble, stirring up the pot with questions meant to degrade and upset people. I take their opinions with a grain of sand, as I think they have no purpose here, other than to make problems. I think they completely know this, and do it on purpose.
If I can help one person to better understand "my" truth, then I've done what I'm supposed to do here. |
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Mom to Foster Children
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SLY - if I wouldn't have "found" YA! then I would still be on the other side of adoption with a mind set of...
he will forget her
I am his mommy now
he won't miss / grieve for her
we will be one big happy and perfect family! |
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Jackie B
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Not at all. If I hadn't found my way here, I wouldn't have heard of the BSE, or found REAL adoption related books or websites. Nor would I have considered foster care adoption. |
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Alyssa
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I DISAGREE |
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kateiskate is getting married
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I disagree.
People have emailed me to tell me how much I have given them to think about. There have been others who have thanked me for my insight. And there are still others who emailed me to scream at me because they did not like my point of view.
If you are taking the time to email someone whose words made you angry, obviously they have affected you, whether you like that or not.
Every single person makes a difference. Every single voice counts! One person could read an answer here and discover they are NOT alone in their pain! One person could read something here and learn that their daughter may be afraid to talk to them about adoption.
All kinds of myths are busted here by real adoptees, first moms, and adoptive parents. We're not paid by an agency to say what we think (well most of us aren't) and we do not have any agenda except for educating the public on adoption.
If I thought this forum was a waste of time and affected no one, I would leave and post in another section. Maybe the food section or something. |
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R.M.G!
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I am relatively new to the cyber-World, and Yahoo Answers. I do not bother to fathom it all. That would be "too much like work", to me.
I enjoy interacting with people that I would not otherwise encounter in the real World. Some of these people I have actually spoken with, either through Yahoo Messenger, or over the phone. I treat everyone with due respect. I consider their words as I would any-ones. SOME carry more weight than others, in consideration. Some people here I care about, some not so much, just like in real life.
Is it a "waste of time"? Perhaps to some, just like in real life. I encounter many people "in real life", who ARE "a complete waste of time", AND a poor use of biological material, in general. But there ARE many here whom I treasure, and I'm glad I've encountered them. Such as YOU.
To post here, or elsewhere, is what you make it. Just like in real life.
Since you've mentioned the thumbs down, seen dotting some of the Answers here. Some people do not think, they just hate, or express their feelings. Those could be classified as the ones who are a poor use of genetic material, just like in real life. |
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sarah
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I think its impossible to know whether or not anyone makes a difference at anything. The best you can do is try, you know never know whom your opinion is affecting, or which little comment will matter. One offhand statement can be the one that changes someone's perspective.
Personally, I had no idea of some of the atrocities occuring within the adoption industry today (I had had some education on the BSE but had always thougtht that the issues within the industry were a thing of the past).
So I do think that Yahoo Answers has an informative influence, at least it has for me. |
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Big Daddy R
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I will tell you right now it is not a waste of time
I am an adoptive parent. I started on here over two years ago when I was just going through the classes for foster care. I learned so much. I will admit that my opinion was not changed but I am now aware of others opinions. I also think I became more sensitive to adoptee issues. I have read one book on here that was recommended and plan on reading more. Because of issues discussed on here and post we got a copy of our son's Original birth certificate even though my wife saw no reason for it. I have adjusted my language and many other things.
I will always be pro adoption but not in the blanket way I was. I still support International adoption but I am aware of issues I wasn't before and will and have councled people who want to do IA about them. making them more aware of issues hench more informed and hopefully better for it.
ETA when i first startede here i asked lots of questions . I mainly lurke now and I still learn tons. I may not agree with some regulars but i respect their opinions and value them. I have made contacts out of several of them |
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SJM
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Here I am, in my little corner of the real world, typing a message that can be read by anyone with internet access anywhere in the real world. If that isn't a potential for real impact in the real world, I don't know what is. |
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Gaia Raain
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I get discouraged some days when I see people who have been reading here for well over a year who STILL haven't got a clue. Then there are other days when a new person will ask an honest question about why so many in the Y!A adoption section think this way, and they'll actually learn something from it.
It's hit and miss, but here's the thing...you know it's making a difference, because those who scream the loudest about rainbows and butterflies are scared s**tless, and they're making it obvious. This may be the first time they've experienced so many in the same place (a PUBLIC forum!) speaking their minds all at once, in a place where they can't censor the *bad* words.
ETA: Since you bring up the thumbs, it's interesting to note that I got twice as many td's as anyone else. The person who drinks the most kool aid here has multiple accounts, and has stalked me for going on two years. I think it's cute that those who are the most frightened of reality think they can silence those who AREN'T frightened, by clicking a little picture of a thumb a bunch of times. It's entertaining. I should turn it into a drinking game! How fun would that be??? |
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