“Why this site is not overrun with refugees from that situation amazes me. People seem to be so “conditioned” to following the rules and accepting the status quo.”

I think that this is a very big issue and you are rightly grasping it Klhilde. It is an issue of Social Compliance, whatever labels you put on the various groups within society. I have also been observing people who seem unable to step outside of the ‘chain of command’. Even when I put all of the information in front of them they would rather roll up to the NHS and get their interferon than consider a DAA tx by another path.

I watched a program last night by Derren Brown about Social Compliance.
http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/derren-brown-to-return-to-channel-4-with-the-push

There can be no clearer demonstration that there is a group of people who can be made to do just about anything rather than step outside of the ‘chain of command’. One wonders how close they would let themselves come to their own death rather than take the initiative necessary to save their own lives.

So I feel more gloomy about the prospects of this cohort than I ever did. I am not even sure any more that there are going to be massive numbers seeking to save their own lives. But it is a possibility and it needs highlighting.

dt

And now I am going to have a bit of a rant.

Every day on Medhelp I am seeing a screed of posts of the general tone – help me, I want to get Harvoni. Or help me, I have been denied Harvoni and I can’t afford it. Where have all these people been during the last 6 months? Where were they when Mike wrote his very comprehensive story on Medhelp. Where were they on the numerous occasions when the name and website of Greg Jefferys came up? How much can ignorance be excused?

I am sorry if this sounds harsh. But I get frustrated because I want to help but it is a full time job to keep on giving the same answers every day to people who could look up the answers that were given yesterday. RTFM. Most of us already have at least one full time job, which is to get ourselves cured of hepC. While willing to give others a hand up, there are some who are simply a big drain on my scarce resources, who ask for all the info and then – nothing. Time Wasters. Again, I feel that I sound harsh, but honestly I am at the point of saying to hell with them all. They need to get with digging their own garden because I am done digging it for them.

So to people like Greg and some on this site I say – I don’t know how you have the patience to keep on going with the helping, but I think you are all heroes. Klhilde, if I am anything to go by, I think you have correctly divined that the resources to provide the help necessary for these people are lacking. If you have any solution to this it would be most welcome.

dt

Thanks DT & klhilde,

While I agree with much of what both of you are saying, we need to remember when talking about both intuitive/sensor and social compliance issues we are mostly talking about people’s preferred styles. Very few people are firmly in one camp or the other, they utilise skills or strengths from both sides of the equation which they will favour to a greater or lesser extent depending on circumstances and timing, in most cases without realising they are doing it. However, some are quite skilled at conciously moving fluidly between what at first appear as diametrically opposed positions (actually just preferences) to allow them to gain the advantages that can accrue from each side. What is important when talking about change is that we are all mindful of others preferences and allow for them when dealing with those who appear to differ from ourselves. Viva la difference!

In practice this probably means we first need to engage and empower the 20% as defined by klhilde. This is the easy part of the task but it also creates a reservoir of ‘authority’ that will then start to attract those in the other 80% who already show some intuitive skills but still require data and convention to back their decision processes. That is how change works, for some it is a leap of faith while others need to be coaxed or coached. And yes, some will never take the decision themselves, they will only treat when instructed/ordered by their doctor/spouse/government.

I also await more on the Bulgarian adventure but remember, these 20%ers don’t play nice if they get warehoused.

Yes I know Mike, I was gentle , and excited to share in the good news, to encourage.That is all you can do. Jill