A long overdue message from the owner of this discussion group.

I started this discussion group a very long time ago, when I had
published essays regarding my views on psychology and psychiatry.

The web has changed a lot since I started surfing. My "free"
website where I posted my writing has long since vanished, although
1 or 2 articles can be found via Google. Fortunately, I managed to
find my copies of the files, and hope to put them up on the web
again someday.

When my site vanished unexpectedly, I let the group go for awhile.
I didn't want to stifle any discussions that occurred, although I'd
still lurk. I was also busy with work, and other interests. But,
I'd like to see this group not only continue, but grow, and get
people to think, particularly those who are either students or
professionals.

In order to accomplish this, some new policies are in order, mainly
to reduce spam and irrelevant postings.

1. This is now a moderated group. Any messages posted to the list
will need to be approved by me before being sent out to list members.

2. Only members are allowed to post. No one can post via the web,
unless they sign up to become a member.

3. Archives of public posts are available to non-members. This
allows people who are interested in the group to see if the topics
are to their liking.

4. New members of the group need to be approved by me. The only
requirement is that you are interested in the science or practice of
psychology, psychiatry, or some other discipline that can be
categorized as a "social science." That would also include
sociology, anthropology, economics, or any other related discipline.

5. Here is where I'm having trouble formulating a good policy. Most
of the recent posts I've permitted have been harshly critical of
mental health professionals, but with little supporting evidence.

While I wouldn't say this criticism is undeserved, I do not want to
have the list turn into a forum for "psychiatric survivors" to
air their grievances with the mental health professions.

I would like the forum to discuss different aspects of current
theories which are either obviously wrong, but accepted for lack of
alternatives, or likely to be considered wrong in the future.

The history of science is littered with examples of theories that
were widely accepted, but later discovered wrong. Despite their
claims of scientific status, many areas of psychology, psychiatry,
or any other area of the "social sciences" are part truth, part
error, and part work of advocacy. The job for each of us is to
figure out which is which.

People who use the services of mental health professionals are more
than welcome to post. But I would hope they would think about their
criticism, and word it in a way that the professionals on this list
(and there are many) can learn from it and not fall into the
mistakes other practitioners make. Criticism should be
constructive, not a broadside.

6. "Pseudoscience in Psychology" is not strictly devoted to the
mental health professions. Pseudoscience abounds in the social
sciences--Personality theory, psychometric testing, sociobiology,
behavioral genetics, learning theory, etc. are all fair game, and
I'd hope some people would post more about them.

7. I have nothing against people who want to sell something. But I
do have major problems with people who pester me with unwanted sales
pitches, and I take for granted that most members here have an even
lower tolerance for spam than I do.

If you have something to sell, and want to get your message to
people on this list, here is your best bet. Post something RELEVANT
to the list, and put a link to your website in your SIGNATURE!

Have people get to know you, then maybe they will buy from you.

Obviously, any blatant sales pitches, threats, harassment, or
slander will be rejected.

Send any comments, questions, or policy proposals to:
kingowellness@...