The Centre for the Study of Long Distance Relationships

[Andy]

That exists somewhere. I've seen it mentioned in reports dated from 2005, 2007 and 2010, yet I can't find out anything more about it! Every time I Google it I keep coming back with reports that mention it or quote it but nothing actually about it :/

So does anyone know anything about it? Where it is? What they do exactly?

I'd be really interested to know more about it

[squiddie]

I've tried backtracking through their cited articles, and it dead-ends at a site that has been deactivated.

I have a feeling it's not a real thing, but something made up for promotional purposes. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened.

I've also looked up Gregory Guldner, its founder, and his credentials (supposedly he's "Dr. Guldner")...and come up with nothing.

[Silviar]

I've looked it up, and come to the conclusion it was shut down. Given how hard research funding was hit last year, it makes perfect sense, especially since I get the feeling this was a young fledgling society.

Publish or perish, and there has to be enough money and interesting to keep publishing...

[Andy]

Awwww rubbish

Well that would make sense I guess. I can't think why they would've started that place up in the first place

[Silviar]

Awwww rubbish

Well that would make sense I guess. I can't think why they would've started that place up in the first place

Now that they couldn't find funding, I'm sure they're wondering the same thing.

but in all seriousness, if a researcher sees a gap in a field of study, they go there and try to carve a name for themselves in that field. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

[Andy]

I see. Well I saw all sorts of wild predictions about a boom in LDRs thanks to the internet and what not so maybe someone else will start it up again soon enough

[squiddie]

I see. Well I saw all sorts of wild predictions about a boom in LDRs thanks to the internet and what not so maybe someone else will start it up again soon enough

Seems logical. I mean, how many websites have capitalized off of that very idea? Dating sites give you the opportunity to look locally or around the world. I think with the capabilities of the internet, people are a little more open to the idea as well.

Of course, the internet does me no good when Penn goes on a business trip out of the country for a week and doesn't bring his laptop. (We're not using cells while he's abroad because texting fees will be through the roof.)

[sabby64]

... That's really weird. Maybe it's a secret underground federation of scientists... Or maybe it's just a conspiracy.

[squiddie]

Or maybe just a guy who made it up to make his book/supposed research sound more legitimate?

[London-FortCollins]

Maybe we should set up a study - we must have enough background information and people willing to participate on this website!

[Michelle]

A couple years ago when I started this site and was doing my own research I came across "The Center for the Study of Long Distance Relationships." And back then I also got a bunch of dead ends and found nothing more about it or what studies they did.

I agree, it could have been made up for someone who wanted "legitimate" sources for their book or for even some college kid's research paper.

[Silviar]

You conspiracy nuts you. I find all those thoughts really amusing (not in a derogatory way, just made me smile). See, I work in the research industry, and I've seen places like this come and go. The centre was probably an office in a university that he and his lab worked out of. I guess my mind is more bland when it comes to possible explanations, although I certainly couldn't prove if it was that or if he was a mad scientist bent on world domination through false statistics.

[Karringtyn]

you all just make me smile....can I just say I love LFAD?

[Silviar]

The plot thickens for us. So, I checked out the book he wrote, and I can't find anything else by the publisher offered anywhere. Their website is a dead end (although so many publishers died in the past two years, that wasn't too shocking), but what WAS unusual was the lack of any other titles from the company. Nor could I find Guldner listed elsewhere on the net despite his degree from Stanford.

Dun dun dun!

I'm tempted to comb the degree program and see if he actually graduated from there.

ETA: Ok, so double checking, he has two degree: MD from Stnaford and a psych degree from purdue. So, I can find an ER doctor in California with the same credentials. What a weird combination, though...

https://www.healthgrades.com/directo...d5df/education

[squiddie]

Yeah that's what I found too, the doctor in California. I'm sure his credentials are real, but I still think that he probably founded the center in order to support his research and book, and given how funding has gone the last few years (I did research as an undergrad and I was privy to all of these talks)...yeah. He probably also felt his time was more suited to medical practice, as it's a slightly steadier income source than research.