Monday, November 1, 2010

An Outside Query

I've been asked to pass along the contents of a survey:

Hello. My name is Sheila and I am a college student working on a research project. My study focuses on girls and women who consider themselves to be pro-anorexic. I hope to better understand the users of online, pro-anorexia websites. If you are willing to participate, I would like to ask some questions about what this website means to you. I am not here to judge or make assumptions, but to simply gather information on a group that many know little about. All participation will be anonymous. Please use screen names that do not identify you in any way. If you are willing to participate, please post a reply to the following questions. If not, thank you for just taking the time to read this.


Questions:

1.) How did you first come to join this website and what keeps you participating in it?
2.) Do you consider others on this website to be your friends? What kinds of support do they give you?
3.) How does your family support -- or not support, --you?
4.) Are you closer to your friends who are online or to those who are offline? Why?
5.) Do you see a difference between anorexics, “anas,” and “rexies”? What term do you use to refer to yourself?

The researcher prefers to remain anonymous but if you have any questions, I believe she will be monitoring any comments and will respond to any concerns or questions in my comment form. I don't think I have to caution anyone here about protecting your identity (are we paranoid enough?) but be aware that anything you say may be published or widely disseminated.

---

Actually, I've been meaning to mention that for some time now. Intellectual property on the internet is incredibly tricky. Basically, a good means to know whether your speech/writing is protected is via the website you are using. Is a username and password required to gain access to your work? If not, it's probably up for grabs (this includes artwork and photographs) and considered in the public domain. Just a thought.

---

I'll write a proper post soon. I've had a visitor from the UK for two weeks so that's taken the bulk of my time! I've missed you all loads though. Can't wait to catch up.

Cheers,
Savory

4 comments:

Peridot (G+P) said...

Ooooh, I answered that on Ophelia's blog. My answers are all over there :)

Lol, my flatmate goes on totally MENTAL rants over Intelecctual Property Laws, and basically any king of ownership rights. You gotta love philosophy&pols students! XD

Liz Anatasia said...

1.) How did you first come to join this website and what keeps you participating in it?
Junior year of college I became more pro-ana as I have always resented my parents for throwing me in to recovery and I felt like I never thought about what I wanted. This was the best way to reassert my identity as anorexic.
2.) Do you consider others on this website to be your friends? What kinds of support do they give you?
I consider them to be more associates versus friends. I don't maintain enough contact with them to consider them friends, but I am friendly with them, if that makes sense.
3.) How does your family support -- or not support, --you?
My family does not really comment on my weight anymore and usually doesn't unless I am dangerous.
4.) Are you closer to your friends who are online or to those who are offline? Why? I am more friendly with my friends that I see in person just because it is hard for me to establish a meaningful online connection without putting in a significant amount of time.
5.) Do you see a difference between anorexics, “anas,” and “rexies”? What term do you use to refer to yourself?I call my self anorexic out of habit. I do not really think of a difference between those terms. But if someone uses ana or rexies, I guess I would probably assume they were proudly pro-ana. I am not at that point yet.

Plum Girl said...

I also commented on Ophelia's blog. Mine got a bit loong.

Anonymous said...

Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Every answer really counts. The insights that you have provided are amazing and I really appreciate you sharing it with me. There's still time to answer my questions so, for those of you who have not, please do so.

Sincerely,

Sheila

 
design by suckmylolly.com