If thou gazest long into the Pit, the Pit will also gaze into thee

Hi All

I may be filling in the Pit soon - I've been diagnosed with major depression, and hanging round the Pit is not really good for me, as far as I can tell.

I'll be pondering this for a few days, and let you know my thoughts. If I do decide to shut up shop, I'm more than happy to send a tarball of the web site, plus an export of the MySQL database to anyone who might want to pick it up.

Lsuoma

You need to do what is best for your health. You have been a great Admin and will be a very hard act to follow. Hopefully, you will be able to pass it on. It would be a shame to lose one of the few places fighting back against the SJW's. But as I said your health comes first and I will support whatever you decide to do.

It ain't easy being a Fascist Tit.

I echo what Jack said and add my thanks for hosting one hell of a party. I appreciate being allowed to participate here and there.
If it cheers you up at all "Bunkergate" should be uploaded this coming weekend and Part IV of the Great Schism by the end of the month.

Just get well. Plenty of opportunities for us Slymers to get on with things.

Really, get well.

Do whatever you need to do to get yourself right in the head.

If this place keeps going, great. If not, so long and thanks for all the fish.

Either way, get yourself well.

Get well soon, mate. You big homo.

If it's only a matter of time, and not finances, I'm pretty sure many Pitters could help with keeping up the Pit until (if) you get better.

JackSkeptic wrote:You need to do what is best for your health. You have been a great Admin and will be a very hard act to follow. Hopefully, you will be able to pass it on. It would be a shame to lose one of the few places fighting back against the SJW's. But as I said your health comes first and I will support whatever you decide to do.

Ditto. You'll know the usual suspects will brag and claim they won if the pit closes completely, but fuck them. Do what you have to do for your health.

Might be best for many of us.

You should do whatever is best for you. You've done a hell of a good job here over the last couple of years, but nothing is worth sacrificing your health over.

I can leave it open as long as people want, provided reliable folks will notify me directly if something bad happens.

Maybe add a mod or two more (in case John Greg gets terminally pissed off).

The only criticism I would have is that you did not put Richard Carrier's head on the body :)

I'm pretty sure it's not financial and if you cannot do it anymore then I have to say it was great while it lasted - an area of freethought that was not "freethought" as the "free thinkers" aka PZ Meyers would want to propagate.

Thank you for allowing me to vent my hateful spume on this forum; although I have not got a lot of posts here, I am well into my fifties and if you need someone to talk to then my Skype name is "Nec_V20".

big titty hugs lsuoma

hope you get better

hope the pit can stay open, it's a great resource + community of raepists

I know I haven't been here long, but I am pretty much a fly on shit here. I don't mind keeping an eye on things. I don't even think I would need anything special to do that. Let me know if I can help with anything. Also, I am going to talk with the wifey tonight, and if she okays it I would be willing to take over hosting and whatnot if enough people will stick around. This is the best place on the net for meeting folks like you and I would hate to lose it.

I don't mean to overstep my position so if none that is okay, I am also cool with that.

Check your PMs oh Great Leader.

Lsuoma wrote:Hi All

I may be filling in the Pit soon - I've been diagnosed with major depression, and hanging round the Pit is not really good for me, as far as I can tell.

I'll be pondering this for a few days, and let you know my thoughts. If I do decide to shut up shop, I'm more than happy to send a tarball of the web site, plus an export of the MySQL database to anyone who might want to pick it up.

Lsuoma

Get well and obviously put yourself number 1 without a second thought. Anyone taking over here could only be a steward to your legacy. If it shuts shop, then it's been a blast and thank you.

:clap: :clap: :cry:

Lsuoma,

As you may have noticed, I have a big bug up my ass about The Pit of late. Part of this is due to the drubbing I got over the whole Radford thing by people I perceived as not just not doing a damned thing, but pissing on the efforts of those who do. And that has become more general. It may be that the Pit's time has come and gone. Certainly it isn't the clearinghouse for bouncing around ideas and facts it once was. Once described as a small group with inordinate influence, mostly due to blogging and YouTube, it seems most of the firebrands have wandered off.

My mistake was sticking around and letting efforts get dragged down.

But mostly, I've been out and about, and once summer wanes, I will be willing to spend more time just sitting in front of the computer. And sitting in front of the computer, or my typewriter, isn't enough. you have to live this shit, think about it all the time, and that's a recipe for the blues in and of itself. I'm far more interested in biking, going to the gym, planning expeditions, but even then some damp towel in The Pit described my outdoors enthusiasm as "woodsman fantasy" or some such shit. Who needs that.

As big-assed moderator and fascist tit, you are immersed in this stuff, not only the lunatic ramblings of 20-something narcissist assholes who style themselves social justice warriors, but the no-fun hammering the nail that sticks up of The Pit.

I know many therapists who won't even prescribe anti-depressives until the person in treatment begins some lifestyle changes, particularly an exercise program. I don't know how active you are, or what you enjoy doing physically, but find something that challenges you, do it and stick with it. After a while sitting in front of a computer feels like watching a never-ending status bar hung on 24% while having a pillow soaked in ether held over your face.

Bust out of that. You know what I think is the greatest thing ever? Bowling. It's a fucking stupid game that I don't do nearly enough. There's no such thing as a non-tacky bowling alley, the shoes are atrocious and mostly you get stuck with a pink ball. But when I occasionally do it, blast that ball down the lane like Bubba Christ, Superstar, it's great. For me.

That's my suggestion, aside from a real exercise program: Find something incredibly dumb to do that is in no way mentally taxing, like miniature golf, and give in to it.

You have immersed yourself in such an incredible amount of shit for which you don't get a fraction of the appreciation you deserve. Take a break. Make it permanent if that's what you need to do.

There's so much more than this.

Lsuoma, I too have sent you a PM.

Lsuoma, do whatever's best for you. And, if someone else takes over the Pit, I hope you still visit once in a while. You've been a perfect mod, and that's made it very pleasant here.

Sorry to hear that you’ve hit somewhat of a rough patch, but I hope and expect you’ll be able to weather it without too much grief.

But whatever your choices, I’d like to echo the sentiments of many if not all here by thanking you for your contributions and efforts. This place can be kind of rough around the edges, but I think it represents kind of an oasis of actual free-thinking, something that is not at all common. I ran across something in an old book – Civilized Man’s Eight Deadly Sins by Konrad Lorenz – that I’ve had for some time that seems of some relevance:

The educator Kurt Hahn had great therapeutic success by getting blasé bored young men to work by the sea as lifeboatmen. In such test situations which challenge the depth of the personality many of them were cured of their sense of futility. [pg 30]

Interestingly, Jerry Coyne had a recent post where he talked of the “black dog”, the twinge of depression and sense of futility that comes from asking, “What’s the point?” Of course, I don’t know the specific causes in your case and won’t pry. But it seems to me that “The Pit!” has given many of us, apart from a great deal of "ammunition", a sense that there are some important issues that hang in the balance, even if those can be the proverbial case of the tail wagging the dog.

Just like to echo what everybody else has been saying. Put your own head first. You don't owe anybody anything.

Don't know if this'll be any use, but here goes. When I was depressed, one thing that helped me was to give myself a project - something finite, with a definite end-point to work towards, that I could do on my own, for myself, that didn't matter to anyone but me but gave me a focus and a sense of achievement, and something to think about other than how shit I was feeling. My project was writing and drawing a 72-page comic. Maybe there's something you could do that would have a similar effect? Or maybe not. In which case, ignore me, and find your own way of dealing. Be good to yourself.

Sort yourself out, mate. If the forum's still around we'll be here with a beer when you're back.

I just want to say you've been the best fascist tit a fascist tit can be.
I know you don't much like me, and probably thought I was out to hurt the pit, but nonetheless you treated me fair and have been a damn good moderator.
Do whatever is best for yourself. Depression is not to be fucked with.

You've been the bestest Admin EVAH, Lsuoma, but I concur with the other 'Pitters: your health is top priority. If the Slyme Pit needs to take a break, we'll be fine. Sure, a few of us may have 'shoop and pharyngulanha comix withdrawal, but we'll deal.

Take care, and gentle pounce tugs if you want them.

Wot the owl said. You've been the best. Your health is no1 priority. Get the help you need to get well again. We all luvs you to bits. Pitters can take care of this. xxx t

First of; Think of yourself, and don't worry about the pit, we'll manage.
Secound; Thanks for a great time, here at the pit, best forum ever!

With protestations of the highest esteem, and consideration,
Malsbert.

Second everyone else here and I promise I won't steal your pouncetugs.

Well, shit. Get well soon, your health is the most important thing. We will be okay, whatever happens.

Yeah, so like PM sent an' all.

(including, of course, that Lsuoma should do what seems best for his own well-being, & also w/ an offer to help if that'd be useful)

Dear FT, you have PM.

http://overlypositive.com/wp-content/up ... ugging.jpg

I'm not terribly tech savvy, but would be glad to help with administrative duties at The Pit.

Thanks to everyone for the messages of support, both public and private.

I definitely want the Pit to continue, and it seems like some of you do as well, so unless there's an overwhelming reason to fill it in, I'll be lurking in the background, but not hanging out here often.

I've added Skeppers as a fourth mod, as she has experience in doing it for phpBB.

If anything terrible happens (President Myers?) send me a PM or email me at slymepit@gmail.com

Most of the problems, I believe have come from problems that have been developing at work for a couple of years, so I've applied for an LOA - the company I work for is pretty enlightened about things like that. I also recently joined the board of a local charity, so combining an LOA with starting work for them will, I hope, help me get outside myself a little.

I know I've been cranky at times, and suspicious and irritable, plus I pulled some dick moves, but I've really tried to give you folks a place to have fun and from time to time pierce a few bubbles that needed piercing.

I'll be around occasionally, but just don't expect me to be doing or saying much.

Do whatever is best for you and get well soon. That is the only important thing.

Thank you, beloved FT. All you've done here is very appreciated.

Thank you for all you've done. I'm just going to have great hope: first that the Prez. Myers thing never happens; and second that you get all healed up and feeling happy. I really do appreciate what you've accomplished here, giving like-minded folks a place to laugh, vent, and keep it real.
Take care! :greetings-wavingyellow:

At first, I was all "bwhahahaha! Lsuoma has Tweeter PTSD!!!". But then I remembered how much depression sucks. So Lsuoma, get the fuck out of this crap for a while, watch kitteh videos, eat some chocolate, and please don't ignore all the wonderful online free porn.

That last point is VERY important.

Mate. I gather that many of us here have been shagged by the Black Dog. So we can empathise. Do what you need to do - exercise, focus on positive stuff and cut extraneous crap from your life, take whatever meds you need. The Pit is/has been fucking awesome, and props to you for creating a ripple in a very small part of the interverse.

Ditto what everyone else has said. You must do what is best for yourself, even if that means letting the pit glide silently through uncharted space for billions and billions of years. Or something like that. Depression can be quite insidious. One day you wake up and realize the color has gone out of life and that it's been like that for awhile. Shake things up and seek treatment. Do what it takes to get well. Take care of yourself.

So does this mean we are going to have to start SlymePit+?

Your health comes first, FT and all you've done is much appreciated. You don't owe anybody anything. Whatever happens to the pit it's the end of an era which has been both memorable and (to the SJL) devastating.

Also, I'd like to say as a white cis hetero-normative middle class male that being in the slymepit at the time of Lsuoma has been a true privilege.

Damn sorry to hear you're going through this, Lsuoma. Neuroatypicalism is a right bitch, so it is. Been there meself, many a time.

But don't let it get you down. You have a cock and a shit ton of white male privilege: by virtue of your wee white winkie, women and minorities bow down before you. Grudgingly perhaps, but there's shit all they can do about it - you have all the power of a worldwide patriarchical white supremacist colonial ruling class behind you. Stand tall and stand proud, my friend, for it was your mighty forefathers who brought the concept of of war to all those wussy, hippy-dippy non-white tribes at the dawn of history, and also taught them that revering two-spirit transfolk was bad and keeping women in the kitchen was a damn fine idea. You are of the breed that taught the darkies to man up and fight; were it not for your, and our, people, the nations of the world would be populations of mere haberdashers, interpretive dancers and ethnic-crafts stallholders. How revolting! Hardly anyone would ever get laid in such a world - and they'd think that was actually a good thing!

So look upon thy cishet white shitlordism and be proud. Were it not for you, no man here would be able to tell his woman to 'go and make me some tea, luv,' with a clear conscience, and nor are we lumbered with sappy, uber-feminist earth-goddessy wives who would light our houses with homemade artisan candles laced with the contents of their mooncups. I mean sure, there are some women like that, but they are pretty much derided, and rightly so - thanks to you and your kin, Lsuoma.

[pep talk]

[youtube]SJUhlRoBL8M[/youtube]

[/pep talk]

That should work...

Lsuoma, I don't post much but I’ve used the 'Pit as a major source of information on the happenings in the A/S community over the last 2 years. Visiting the noxious FTB and Skepchick websites and giving them revenue from page views and dwell time is something to be avoided, as I don’t want to encourage the clowns.

Let me add my gratitude to the regulars. You have done a wonderful job running this place in your own amusing and idiosyncratic way and deserve the affection of everyone here. I’m convinced the ‘Pit has made a difference and will continue to help those of us who want to oppose the charlatans and authoritarians. The mixture of argument and ridicule is effective against anyone capable of being swayed.

So thank you for all you’ve done and get well quickly.

Oh geez, we're losing our Fascist Tit! Who's going to stop the next Nazi who wanders by from boot-heeling the lot of us?

Dark days. I'm scared.

http://imgur.com/FeFI7up.jpg

(Thanks for everything Boss, you're the best! Take really good care of yourself. I'm pulling for you)

Thanks for everything man.

[youtube]EzVzJMzRF8Y[/youtube]

Tigzy wrote: (snip)... Were it not for you, no man here would be able to tell his woman to 'go and make me some tea, luv,' with a clear conscience, and nor are we lumbered with sappy, uber-feminist earth-goddessy wives who would light our houses with homemade artisan candles laced with the contents of their mooncups... (snip)

Fucking HELL!
lol x9000!

Lsuoma.

Nothing to add other than my best wishes and an appreciation of your style. The concept of giving Wonderbore a sub-forum still makes me laugh.

Sometimes I think that the fraction of people who have suffered from significant depression may even surpass 50%. It is soooo prevalant, and has affected me for about thirty years.

As others have stated, I have found that the only thing I can do on my own that seems to help is to exercise somewhat vigorously. I think the benefits are two-fold: you feel better about the fact that you willed yourself to exercise, and you get that tingly after-exercise feeling in your body that persists for a few hours, if you exert yourself sufficiently. Of course it is very difficult to exercise when you can barely drag yourself out of bed.

Anyway best of luck to you, hope you feel better very soon, and thanks so much for giving us a Safe Space for free expression. :clap:

Another long-term sufferer of the Black Dog here (I couldn't work for three years due to it). I won't offer any trite advice other than

a) just look after yourself (or find someone to do it for you),
b) find a decent mental health professional, and
c) it *can* get better, eventually.

I know its only words, but you and the Pit have made a difference to my own life.

I think I can only echo what others have said. Your own health must be priority number one.
I too have gone through serious depression in the past and did find exercise to be useful - it didn't even need to be vigorous, just a regular walk in the evening or morning could do it. The other thing I found useful was taking up old hobbies that I used to love but hadn't done in while - for example in my case this was playing guitar again (I hadn't played since I was a teen.)
As for the pit, I think you should be proud that you created a place where there was real freedom of speech at a time when nowhere else in the online skeptical/atheist community had the guts to do it. The pit is an archive of the shennanigans of Peezus and his merry band of hypocritical fuckwits and it would be a shame to lose it.
If you feel like you want to close it down I for one would appreciate a copy of the site, if it's in any way possible, just to make sure we haven't lost a historical document.

I hope you manage to untangle
This Depression Quest you have to handle
As a butterly on a wheel, i know how you feel
Trust me, i once sprayed an ankle

----
I do hope you get better .

From my oh so humble beginnings lurking over at PZs blog getting more and annoyed with that place.
I tend to see humans as bastards on a gray scale, but the tendency to judge people as either pure good or evil really turned me off.
So i just had to check out this evilest of all evil places. And i´ve been a happy lurker ever since.( well uptil last week)

If Life has tought me anything, which i doubt. It is to go where the humour is. Even bad humour is better than plain boring moralism.
So thanks for putting this place up, it has brought many luls, and may it continue forever even if you will be somewhat abscent in you eternal reign. I wish i could express myself better, but i just Kant.

Add my voice to the chorus of well-wishers. I hope you get well soon.

Being ill sucks, FT, but there is an end to it. You will get better, even if there are times when it seems unlikely or not even worth the effort. There's a lot you can do to help yourself, and to the exercise suggestions I would add making sure you interact with other people. Just sitting and staring at the floor and thinking about how bad you feel will make it worse. Having friends drag you unwillingly to do something you know you will hate will actually make you feel better. Having to talk to people takes your mind out of the mental ruts. I know. You're too smart to let this overwhelm you, and far too important to many people to let it. We'll miss you, but we'll be content to see you back whenever it has taken as long as it will take. Take care, buddy.

screwtape wrote:Being ill sucks, FT, but there is an end to it.

I'm a great believer in situational depression. Although we like to act like it's all in your head and if you just tweak your chemistry all is well, sometimes being depressed is a rational reaction to the situation on is in. You know, no one is pushing a "Prozac for Homeless Double Amputees" fund because, well, no kidding.

I know when I slip into depression -- and it's more of annui or being in a rut that I would not compare to major depression because I've never had it -- that means something has to change. Nothing big. A new route, a different way of doing things, a new interest, just fucking doing it.

I think Lsuoma has taken the next and necessary step of realizing something has to change. You know, all things being equal, doing the same old thing sucks, and moderating and maintaining any board, especially if it's more of the same of what you do for a living, is a recipe for that big old rut.

Of course, all this is just a suggestion.

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2012 ... notoad.gif

In related news, after some discussion and no small exchange of money via PayPal, Lsuoma has decided to make me the sole moderator of the forum. Once the bottle-neck in the server is clear, your inboxes will be flooded with a cornucopia of shit pics and free "add 25% to the regular price" coupons for t-shirts.

I know you all look forward to this new era, and all glory to the hypnotoad.

I get depressed if Mykeru doesn't post his quota of poop pix for the day:(

another lurker wrote:I get depressed if Mykeru doesn't post his quota of poop pix for the day:(

Pudding pix, I mean.

Who doesn't love pudding?