Reply With QuoteYou just can't fix stupid!
Keeping it REAL
You know, sometimes I really feel like a Bi%#H when I have to tell someone something that they do not want to hear....But, on this forum...we speak the truth. My heart goes out to the Newbies that come here thinking that they're going to get a warm pat on the head, or a sympathetic shoulder to cry on, when they simply do not want to hear the cold, hard facts.
I can remember a conversation that I had with Evy several years ago. Something along the lines of catching more flies with honey then with vinegar. You know, being kind and supportive to the new folk who asked the same questions over and over again...and didn't actually listen to any of the advice given. Of course, I was on the warm and fuzzy side...way out of my mind. Well, as usual, Evy was right. You can't help people who refuse to help themselves. And, when common sense has fled and been replaced with stupidity, what can you do?
I find it all very frustrating. Much like my reflections on the 4-H experience. Some people simply will NOT learn.
You just can't fix stupid!
No, but you can sometimes fix newbies who do not have a good source of information. But you aren't going to help them by deliberately insulting them.
Of course, if some people want to take offense from being told the truth, there isn't much can be done about that. It is, however, possible to tell someone the truth without also openly calling them an idiot.
I don't recall openly calling anyone an idiot. Thinking it maybe...as in right now...but not saying it. That would be rude, and I try not to be rude.Originally Posted by Oregon Swedes
I've always been a big fan of sharing knowledge. But, sometimes it's difficult. I'm confounded by the fact that people come to this forum for advice, then they challenge it. Why bother. If all you are looking for, is validation of your actions as they are...stay at the BYC. You'll find precious little warm fuzzies here, but a lot of good advice...if you're grown up enough to handle it.
No, you're not going to help someone just by insulting them, but at some point you have to realize that there just are a lot of stupid, irrational people in this world. Tip toeing around the obvious, playing today's PC, feel good games doesn't get any results either. Every once in a while a last resort kick in the pants might just wake someone up when all the other spoon feeding, tactful suggestions and gentle happy talk has failed. Someone once said to me, "Just don't be stupid". Made all the difference in the world. There's a difference between a novice and an amateur. Anyone can stop being a novice simply by sticking with something long enough, but some people never learn how not to be amateurs.
You seem to assume we all want to be something other than amateurs. Funny how you seem to be always blasting the professionals, by my definition ones that actually earn their living from the 'fancy'. So what do you consider yourself to be, an advanced amateur or a wantabe pro? I have a memory too of your "You can't Know unless you Show" made a difference in me.~gd
Patrick and Goosedragon,
You are two of the most knowledgeable guys on this forum. Quit sniping at each other and Focus on the goal: BASHING STUPID PEOPLE!!
I get so upset when the grown-ups fight....
Angela, Sorry but that is not my goal at all. I will actually try to answer stupid people until they start telling me that I don't know what I am talking about, then I disappear. Just for the record I said I was OLD not grown-up. Patrick can speak for himself.
You are so funny!!
I have officially called off old age. At 51, I just enrolled in an undergraduate program at MSU today. Lord have mercy, what was I thinking?! I graduated from college in 1983. Talk about not growing up......
Unfortunately, for some on this board, contradicting someone just for the sake of contradicting them can take preceedence over actually adding something to the thread. It does not matter what the subject is or what the comment is, there is the constant need to attempt to pick it apart and show that person up. It is a tiresome habit.
Smile and Wave.
It's difficult enough to deal with the daily stupidity. We are all prone to arrogance....each in our own fashion. I may gritch about it, but I find the mock conflict between GD and Patrick amusing. Makes for lively reading and that's what pulls in the members. Also keeps my attention.
Otherwise, let's face it, we tend to be a bunch of boring old Putz's. Getting fired up occasionally, never hurt anyone
I just can't see any reason to get upset about it. I give them an answer. If it helps them, fine. If they choose to ignore it and continue with what hasn't been working, it is not my problem. It really has no effect on my day if someone half the country away is proud to be ignorant.
That's exactly it, pround to be ignorant. Amazing how many are.
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