# Dear APA

By [Bhau](https://paragraph.com/@bhau) · 2022-02-11

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Dear APA,

I deeply value our profession of Psychiatry, and the rich diversity of interests it invites and nurtures. I must confess, though, I earnestly cannot say the same for the APA in its present-day state.

![Madam, I welcome your heartfelt invitation with open arms, but this is $479 for the conference on top of the APA membership fee. ](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/aec4dac97bb31860b401dd809e9dafc7496998a62a26f3adccedb611d57e8d28.png)

Madam, I welcome your heartfelt invitation with open arms, but this is $479 for the conference on top of the APA membership fee.

That same fee…that was just revoked from me…especially after I was made to feel so special…

**Rugged** again…

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/11c1cf0fad64f6f4bc1791c74228f00726661133ce2159263d43899550e3d8e9.png)

Sob.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/15a6b78962b96d935101654e8f1b379277e9c916284146773ce412d53036add0.png)

I was hopeful things were at last **_evolving_**.

### The persistent follow up

from the APA regarding this error appears to reflect a glaring lack of awareness by the anointed leadership, or perhaps even a shameless one. Many constituents are **_dissatisfied_** with the **governance** and find that their **incentives** are **_grossly_** **_misaligned_** with that of the APA. _Specific examples needn’t be cited, for you will find many such_ [_perspectives_](https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychnetwork/permalink/3254059581479467/) _across social media networking groups like Psychiatry Network on Facebook._

In reference to these communities, the word **group** is used - and not **network** - because **value** does not _flow_ to members directly. The structural and functional arrangements look a bit like this:

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/60c304f43808cc3273b8c12135d0de246ba6a603a3d86571df971a5fc71b92bd.png)

_M.E.V. = Miner/Maximum Extractable Value_

But this does not stop here, and **_sadly_** extends to more **vulnerable** groups like [r/residency](https://www.reddit.com/r/Residency/) on Reddit as well.

Essentially, the organization has fallen prey to the drawbacks of Web2:

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8ea1e12afd7c72a2fe254248f41fd5de84b16e60fd4034565e0e9b2a4fde5d4a.png)

Instead, **Decentralized** **Governance** can **_facilitate_** a more **favorable** **_win-win outcome_**:

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/2d9b53a9e18e3c6770b51a7f8cab27c2091326d8f0a6f42803c31b9b82e24b94.png)

If none of this makes sense, begin here:

[Onboarding Web3 Agreement](https://mirror.xyz/bhau.eth/AOo4N6gcHPhJSGluCTSpJ9meC0PbghLv0HGcBUo4R-s)

_\-The_ [_annotations_](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwis_Y2E0fb1AhXyk2oFHUcWAkcQFnoECBMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychiatry.org%2FFile%2520Library%2FPsychiatrists%2FPractice%2FEthics%2Fprinciples-medical-ethics.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2LID9P-f9ubnInfFVpRXCC) _are valuable but could use an upgrade._

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*Originally published on [Bhau](https://paragraph.com/@bhau/dear-apa)*