Even though I have certainly contributed to the juvenile randomness that goes around SDN path, I can definitely see how it is irritating. I am even starting to get increasingly irritated myself.
I initially came onto these forums with the purpose of giving out and receiving advice. I've learned so much from those who went through the application process when I started the whole ERAS she-bang almost a year ago. On the other hand, I've enjoyed dishing out my advice, experiences, and reflections on the MSTP forum which is where I feel I can give out the most useful advice.
I don't have much solid advice to give here on the pathology forum, however. That is because I don't know the issues inside-and-out in pathology. It's not like I knew pathology would be my specialty of choice many years ago. My final decision to pursue pathology was something that just happened within the last year or so. People like LADoc00 and others who have seen the pros and cons of pathology with their very own eyes have given us quite a bit of non-sugarcoated insight into that adorn and plague pathology.
Many of the threads do get hijacked. It is getting worse. Some of us have contributed to it, including myself. I feel increasingly guilty because some of them are very serious threads that raise legitimate questions. As I reflect on this, I too feel bad for those OPs that come here for help but return later to see that the issue at hand has taken a 180 degree turn into ludicrous randomness. I mean the initial replies are great and informative but soon thereafter the threads devolve into silliness. Once a thread starts to get derailed, it becomes a positive feedback loop and a juggernaut that can't be stopped. Then the thread goes down the sh*tter like many other threads.
Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed the times I had shootin' the **** with the cool folks who come around here. But we should restrict this to individual (i.e., yaah's random thread) or maybe a few threads at most. We should hold back on hijacking every single thread. I can imagine that many people have legitimate questions that they feel aren't worth posting now due to the inevitability that their threads will be hijacked.
Hopefully the randomness and hijacking will go down a bit to encourage people to post serious questions and seek advice...which is what we really are here for because in the end, we are more than happy to give out helpful advice. For instance, since the next application cycle is coming up, I'm sure many applicants applying this year will have lots of questions (where to apply? how many programs to apply to? which programs are geared for private practice or academia? etc). The off-season is almost over and it's time for us who are residents, soon-to-be residents, junior faculty, etc to be of service to the up-and-coming pathologist-wannabe's.
I agree with the suggestions of others to keep the serious threads serious and on track. People who are not qualified to sincerely answer the question or give input should butt-out. I'm gonna try my best to live by this mantra from now on. Ask questions about applications, interviews, strategies for the match...I'll chime in. Ask questions about the job market or private practice pathology...I'll STFU cuz I don't know jack about this stuff as I am only a lowly soon-to-be-PGY1.
All the best,
AndyM
