Michael Sharpe skewered by @JohntheJack on Twitter

His sudden change of heart and ‘lock down’ suggest this doesn’t it.

Shame it’s all been put in the public domain for all to see like all critical debates (or attempts at them) should be.

I think even though he hasn’t answered any of the questions about his research he has revealed exactly his position and that is useful to carry on the debate elsewhere.

I would like to thank Michael Sharpe for his contribution it’s been really useful.

 

The psych lobby shows up in periods of great threats. Timing is everything. It reminds me of when ME-ICC got published. This is when Wessely decided he needed to intervene and claimed he has received death threats. In this current case, I think all of this PR on Twitter by Sharpe was related to the parliamentary discussion from last week. They are defending their turf.

 

Agree, we have been forced into ‘activism’. I too was blocked by Sharpe yesterday when he was doing his blanket blocking. Am surprised I lasted this long. The man is entirely lacking in self-awareness and is chillingly unaware of harms visited on us because of his ‘science’. His tweets are truly parodic if not downright sinister. #jesuisvexatious

 

I'm not sure whether much productive has come from these exchanges with Prof Sharpe.

I'm concerned that a number of these exchanges have not helped the reputation of pwME (on twitter, at least). Lots of people with ME themed profiles liking each others tweets and passionately responding to particular people, and maybe a couple actually insulting them, isn't a good look. It feeds into the idea that pwME are on a vendetta against/harassing people/researchers, that they're unreasonable, and that they're excessively concerned with their sick role or that having ME relates to a kind of online groupthink.

I think online dialogue and awareness are really important, but I believe pwME may not be coming out looking too good in all these exchanges.

I'm not happy to make these observations, but I think they're necessary to make.

 

On the contrary, Michael’s tweets have reinforced the notion that PACE scientists simply will not listen to valid criticism. Unless pwME are being hostile or rude or bombarding MS with multiple tweets - which I have seen seldom - we really need to get away from the notion that we can’t speak up without reinforcing idea of vendetta. He is provoking patients and advocates with his insolence. It really is that simple.

 

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I saw that and RTd - entirely fair comment, but it will prob get you blocked.

 

Perhaps we should encourage people to save any tweet we think it worth posting to wayback machine, so it's publicly archived? This is easy to do, and I've got a browser add on that makes it even easier. Thanks for all your work Keela, we should really try to share it out now.

edit: The following are links to the wayback machine, and they show up fine here as tweets. I think it would be good if we could try to save copies of any tweets we think are worth posting to the wayback machine, and then linking to the archived tweet, rather than one which could disappear in the future.


"@_NathalieWright Sorry. I am going to block you as we are going round circles. Kind regards"

https://twitter.com/user/status/1011332991841439745


"To CFS and ME patients and activists. I am grateful to those who engage in genuine dialogue. Unfortunately not all do and some waste time playing games of 'gotcha'. I am sorry but life is just too short and those playing games will be blocked. A lost opportunity."

https://twitter.com/user/status/1011336212269993985

 

I've saved some responses, but I can't see "Tweets and Replies".

 

By now Sharpe is likely well aware of this thread, just FYI...

 

Based on some of the Tweets I would say he was possibly aware of it nearly a hundred pages back.

 

Yes, and they don't want that looked at too carefully.
Has he diverted us from actions that would have helped us more? In my view, in the light of the debate last week, yes.
Now it's over, then he can afford to drop it.

 

I assume he and his cronies can and do read this forum, including the members only section, any time they like. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. All open and transparent here at S4ME, as science should be.

 

https://twitter.com/user/status/1011699743234371584

https://twitter.com/user/status/1011887102693400576

 

LOL - has anyone not wanted to hear any of his answers?

Maybe he sees people pointing out contradictions and other problems with his claims as meaning they just don't want to hear his answers?