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besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 06:17 PM

It drives me crazy when people become paralyzed and wimpy about learning something totally within their grasp.

I'm not a genius, yet I have taught myself to do some things reasonably well. I feel that if I can acquire a reasonable amount of knowledge in a given area (including with subject matter outside of my comfort zone), others can too.

I'm talking about things like writing with proper grammar most of the time, learning some basic computer skills, learning how to put together a good argument, etc. I don't expect anybody to be extraordinarily good at these sorts of things, but I happen to think that acquiring a reasonably good grasp is within the grasp of any mentally capable individual.

If somebody is trying to convey a sense of competency and intellect and is consistently misusing grammar, take care of business and get it right! If somebody is trying to sound convincing and comes across like a 15 year old, be a little introspective! I'm not asking that people learn a skill that is relatively useless to their field or to their goals, I'm just asking that people take care of business with the basics needed for self-advancement.

These people I have in mind seem to lack some self-confidence in these areas, but otherwise come across as confident and mostly capable individuals. I don't want to hear "I'm not a computer person" in a sheepish way when you come to me with the same question over and over again, just get it right damnit! Write it down, practice it, read a book, whatever... Just do what you need to do and stop being a damn pussy!

Does anybody feel like I do and know of the kind of people I'm describing? I hope I'm making sense... I have a feeling I'm not

centerchannel68 · Feb 12, 2007, 06:26 PM

Yep. I hate stupid people. And yes, the people who can't spell or write decently are stupid. They might be reasonably intelligent in other areas, but I do judge people based on how they write, like everybody else does. Sometimes I post this:

or this:

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Does anybody feel like I do and know of the kind of people I'm describing? I hope I'm making sense... I have a feeling I'm not

No.

I feel you are being petty and immature.

andi*pandi · Feb 12, 2007, 06:36 PM

We always think the things we know are simple and should be compulsory. Yet it is true, it is annoying to show someone something over and over. I show others patience in the hopes that others are patient with me.

Also, lest I be labeled a know-it-all bitch.

Atomic Rooster · Feb 12, 2007, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

No.

I feel you are being petty and immature.

Pot/Kettle!

Doofy · Feb 12, 2007, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I'm talking about things like writing with proper grammar most of the time, learning some basic computer skills, learning how to put together a good argument, etc.

"Etc" is an abbreviation, so therefore requires a period after it. If it's an the end of a sentence, you would use two periods. Like this: etc..

Originally Posted by besson3c

I don't expect anybody to be extraordinarily good at these sorts of things, but I happen to think that acquiring a reasonably good grasp is within the grasp of any mentally capable individual.

You don't need a comma before a "but".

RAILhead · Feb 12, 2007, 06:42 PM

"That's what she said!"

Doofy · Feb 12, 2007, 06:52 PM

Actually, I'm gonna sort of agree with Bessie. Since I'm a high order genius with an IQ of at least 60, I find that I do tend to notice other people having problems with basic concepts. I mean, if I have to explain the general theory of relativity to one more drunk bloke at the pub who can't be bothered to learn the basics of the universe he's sitting in then I'm gonna kill someone.

(Actually Bess, I really do agree with you. It's a confidence thing, mostly. Sometimes it's a "brain not wired that way" thing. Sometimes it really is a "I'm as dumb as a sack of hammers" thing.)

DeathToWindows · Feb 12, 2007, 06:57 PM

Yep. In a lab where all of the research is conducted using simple, custom-built electronics - everyone should be able to solder a SPST switch or fix an LED.

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

No.

I feel you are being petty and immature.

Hey Railroader,

Please do me a favor and stop following me around and taking little pot shots at me. I don't care, I don't think anybody else cares. Not to put too fine a point on this, but there is very little that I care less about than what you think of me or of what you think on a particular issue. So, perhaps it would be wise to stop wasting your time, and annoying others in the process?

If you insist on responding to my future posts, I'll just continue to ignore.. *shrug* makes very little difference to me, ditto for Kevin. Every once in a while, you might succeed to get me to react and break from my norm, but if this is your sole purpose perhaps you need a new hobby?

zro · Feb 12, 2007, 07:02 PM

Reminds me of my pet peeve: "It's too big!"

Chuckit · Feb 12, 2007, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

"Etc" is an abbreviation, so therefore requires a period after it. If it's an the end of a sentence, you would use two periods. Like this: etc..

Not in standard American English.

ghporter · Feb 12, 2007, 07:07 PM

I'm with both beeson and Doofy. What's so bloody hard about things like "put the disc in the machine and follow its instructions"? Yet there's a whole freakin' industry in "loading software for other people."

I'm working on a masters degree in a health care profession. I have very smart professors, very smart classmates and we do very difficult coursework. When one of my classmates comes to me with an issue, (Glenn, how do I do this with my computer?) I teach them what I can and they get it and go on. Thus I know that people aged 22 - 30 are not "dumb" and those who are motivated can step up to a challenge and succeed. Then I see some sign at a store that says "We have the perfect gift 4 U" and I shudder. Worse, apostrophe assault-where someone uses an apostrophe that wasn't needed "Wide screen's here!"

The "it's too hard" is really shorthand for "I'm too lazy and/or have such low self esteem that I'm convinced that it's not worth my while to even try."

Doofy · Feb 12, 2007, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Not in standard American English.

Really? You lazy buggers!

Doofy · Feb 12, 2007, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

I'm with both beeson and Doofy. What's so bloody hard about things like "put the disc in the machine and follow its instructions"? Yet there's a whole freakin' industry in "loading software for other people."

At the moment I'm helping a guitarist with setting up his own little writing studio. Couple of synths, drum machine, sequencer, that kind of thing.

So he phones me up:

G: "I can't work out this sequencer."
D: "Have you read the manual?"
G: "Yes".
D: "So what's the problem?"
G: "Every time I play something it's playing two sounds."
D: "Did you turn the local control off?"
G: "What's that?"

Doof turns to copy of manual downloaded for just such an occasion... First paragraph of the section entitled "how to record to the sequencer" says "if you're hearing two sounds while you play, you will need to turn the local control off. To do so, press this and that and that, sorted."

I guess he could have ulterior motives or something. Like he wants me to go down there and lean over him whilst physically showing him how to use it. I am rather sexy and all that. I wonder if Jessica Alba is having sequencer trouble?

But uh huh - I'm pretty much seeing "RTFM" in 40 foot high neon red letters every time I shut my eyes at the moment.

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Hey Railroader,

Please do me a favor and stop following me around and taking little pot shots at me. I don't care, I don't think anybody else cares. Not to put too fine a point on this, but there is very little that I care less about than what you think of me or of what you think on a particular issue. So, perhaps it would be wise to stop wasting your time, and annoying others in the process?

If you insist on responding to my future posts, I'll just continue to ignore.. *shrug* makes very little difference to me, ditto for Kevin. Every once in a while, you might succeed to get me to react and break from my norm, but if this is your sole purpose perhaps you need a new hobby?

I can't wait for you to start a Steve Guttenberg thread, a post about pooping in a kitchen, asking about me driving a train, or asking Kevin what kind of triangle he plays.

Glass houses bub.

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

Pot/Kettle!

Oh, the irony.

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 07:30 PM

I think part of this frustration is the whole learning from mistakes thing... If something causes you a lot of frustration, you realize you've forgotten what I've already told you, you feel apologetic about it, you realize this has happened before, then... why not just take care of business and call it a day?

Zeeb · Feb 12, 2007, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

These people I have in mind seem to lack some self-confidence in these areas, but otherwise come across as confident and mostly capable individuals. I don't want to hear "I'm not a computer person" in a sheepish way when you come to me with the same question over and over again, just get it right damnit! Write it down, practice it, read a book, whatever... Just do what you need to do and stop being a damn pussy!

Are you an expert in everything? What I mean is, do you think that anyone has ever gotten frustrated with you over something you were struggling with? I do agree that it gets irritating when you explain something over and over again but it doesn't seem to sink in. However, there could be a number of reasons for this besides laziness or stupidity.

I guess I just see the possibility that someone who has poor grammar or few computer skills might be an expert in some other field I can't even grasp. At some point, he or she may have to explain something to me more than once.

Atomic Rooster · Feb 12, 2007, 07:46 PM

I've sent Railroader, 'Posting in Forums For Dummies' book.

I hope he can read it.

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Zeeb

Are you an expert in everything? What I mean is, do you think that anyone has ever gotten frustrated with you over something you were struggling with? I do agree that it gets irritating when you explain something over and over again but it doesn't seem to sink in. However, there could be a number of reasons for this besides laziness or stupidity.

I guess I just see the possibility that someone who has poor grammar or few computer skills might be an expert in some other field I can't even grasp. At some point, he or she may have to explain something to me more than once.

I realize that we have strengths and weaknesses, but that isn't really addressing what I was trying to convey...

If I had to become comfortable (or should become comfortable) in a given area and I'm just sluffing, why not address this problem? I mean, if you had to do some activity that was physically taxing on a regular basis, for instance, why not get in shape so that you can handle this more comfortably, you know what I mean?

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

We always think the things we know are simple and should be compulsory. Yet it is true, it is annoying to show someone something over and over. I show others patience in the hopes that others are patient with me.

Also, lest I be labeled a know-it-all bitch.

I think it must be harder for women to push people intellectually, because it is so easy to assign the bitch label (although perhaps "bitch" is now a unisex label, I don't know), and nobody wants to be the bitch. Also, there is probably a significant population of men who are not completely comfortable with being subordinate to a woman in a workplace-type setting.

Do you agree with this Andi*Pandi?

Chuckit · Feb 12, 2007, 08:23 PM

Besson isn't talking about simply not being good at something. He's talking about being unwilling to try and burdening other people with your laziness. I don't believe for a second that most people are incapable of writing down "shift-apple-F = fit to box" if they can't remember it, but many people would rather just constantly yell for somebody else to hit the key combo for them because "Man, Quark is hard!"

It's not a matter of being an expert in something; it's a matter of whether you're going to try at all.

macintologist · Feb 12, 2007, 08:26 PM

I put Railroader on ignore. You should try it.

BlueSky · Feb 12, 2007, 08:46 PM

I relate. I know people who have been using Macs for years, in one case, 15+ years and they still don't know the absolute basics of getting around. It's beyond them, for example, that in order to access the Finder menu, they either have to click on the desktop or hide the app they're working in...if they can manage to figure out how to hide it. Stuff like that. And they're intelligent people.

My observation is that it's because they aren't inclined to use a computer in the first place. They're only using it for one or two purposes, and for the rest they fly by the seat of their pants. Eternally.

strictlyplaid · Feb 12, 2007, 08:58 PM

never mind

centerchannel68 · Feb 12, 2007, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Hey Railroader,

Please do me a favor and stop following me around and taking little pot shots at me. I don't care, I don't think anybody else cares. Not to put too fine a point on this, but there is very little that I care less about than what you think of me or of what you think on a particular issue. So, perhaps it would be wise to stop wasting your time, and annoying others in the process?

If you insist on responding to my future posts, I'll just continue to ignore.. *shrug* makes very little difference to me, ditto for Kevin. Every once in a while, you might succeed to get me to react and break from my norm, but if this is your sole purpose perhaps you need a new hobby?

But that's what he does.

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

I've sent Railroader, 'Posting in Forums For Dummies' book.

I hope he can read it.

Why am I not surprised you own a copy? Are you sending me your personal copy that is all highlighted and post-it-note bookmarked to key passages?

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by macintologist

I put Railroader on ignore. You should try it.

HA! So does SWG, but he, like you, still responds to my posts. Me thinks you protest a little too much.

I call you out on your half-thought-out, impulsive posting. You don't like that. I can't imagine anyone would. besson3c must really be peeved by you because you never learn from you mistakes.

Atomic Rooster · Feb 12, 2007, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Why am I not surprised you own a copy? Are you sending me your personal copy that is all highlighted and post-it-note bookmarked to key passages?

You must be going through some hard times RR. For a Christian you're terribly rude lately. Or maybe it's normal Christian behaviour. Man, I remember those sadistic nuns...wow!

Onward thread.

I do feel so dirty responding to you. Ewe!

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

You must be going through some hard times RR. For a Christian you're terribly rude lately. Or maybe it's normal Christian behaviour. Man, I remember those sadistic nuns...wow!

Onward thread.

I do feel so dirty responding to you. Ewe!

I was simply following you in your example of the golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". You made a rude and insulting post so I returned the same back to you.

I am not catholic. I don't have the same experience with nuns that you have.

Perhaps you'd feel cleaning if you were baptized?

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 09:51 PM

I know, let's start a thread about me!

Here's some interesting posting that people have made about me:
Fuzzy Wombat :: Search Just type "rail*" in the search box.

Atomic Rooster · Feb 12, 2007, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I was simply following you in your example of the golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". You made a rude and insulting post so I returned the same back to you.

I am not catholic. I don't have the same experience with nuns that you have.

Perhaps you'd feel cleaning if you were baptized?

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 10:09 PM

Hmmm... perhaps I should resend you your copy of "Posting in Forums For Dummies' book." You have a lot to learn still.

Railroader · Feb 12, 2007, 10:10 PM

Jawbone54 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:29 PM

I agreed with the original post.

People want everything done for them these days. It's not just a technical thing; it's a lifestyle thing. Everyone wants the easy road out.

Take welfare, for instance...

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

You must be going through some hard times RR. For a Christian you're terribly rude lately. Or maybe it's normal Christian behaviour. Man, I remember those sadistic nuns...wow!

Onward thread.

I do feel so dirty responding to you. Ewe!

It's odd that Kevin and Railroader are generally among the surliest on the board, yet openly Christian. They are far from Ned Flanders!

Most Christians I know are very pleasant people with a much sunnier disposition... Oh well.

Jawbone54 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Most Christians I know are very pleasant people with a much sunnier disposition... Oh well.

Well, thank you very much.

centerchannel68 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

It's odd that Kevin and Railroader are generally among the surliest on the board, yet openly Christian. They are far from Ned Flanders!

Yet neither get banned, because they insult and bait and annoy people in a way that's technically allowed. They never resort to full on frontal attacks, it's always this passive seething hatred for pretty much everybody on here.

Oh well. If their god is real (which he isn't) I'm sure they'll go to hell for it.

Jawbone54 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by centerchannel68

Yet neither get banned, because they insult and bait and annoy people in a way that's technically allowed. They never resort to full on frontal attacks, it's always this passive seething hatred for pretty much everybody on here.

Oh well. If their god is real (which he isn't) I'm sure they'll go to hell for it.

Moses scratched out the 11th Commandment "Thou shalt not bait or flame Rob" after he got POed by one of your posts as well.

centerchannel68 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Moses scratched out the 11th Commandment "Thou shalt not bait or flame Rob" after he got POed by one of your posts as well.

What? Please rephrase what you're trying to say, it's confusing as to what you meant.

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

I agreed with the original post.

People want everything done for them these days. It's not just a technical thing; it's a lifestyle thing. Everyone wants the easy road out.

Take welfare, for instance...

But some of these people I had in mind when I wrote the message have stellar work ethic in other areas, and work their asses off.

Jawbone54 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:47 PM

10 Commandments

Jawbone54 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

But some of these people I had in mind when I wrote the message have stellar work ethic in other areas, and work their asses off.

Are they overweight, by any chance?

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Well, thank you very much.

Hey Jawbone54, check this out.. You definitely need to take a look here:

Fuzzy Wombat :: View topic - Jawbone54's thread

Jawbone54 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Hey Jawbone54, check this out.. You definitely need to take a look here:

Fuzzy Wombat :: View topic - Jawbone54's thread

How'd you get my pic???

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Are they overweight, by any chance?

No, but one has several cats... *shrug*

Jawbone54 · Feb 12, 2007, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

No, but one has several cats... *shrug*

Nope. Not enough for condemnation to Hell.

Never mind.

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

How'd you get my pic???

Are you seriously Steve Guttenberg?? OH MY GAWD!! I'm your biggest fan! I thought that your best work was in Police Academy 3 where Maho...

Wait, how do I know you're really the great Steve Guttenberg? If you're really him, you'd know which Police Academy movie included a special temporary shot where you could see the reflection of the video camera in a pane of glass within the set?

besson3c · Feb 12, 2007, 11:03 PM

Mr. Guttenberg, I've tidied up the place for you. It would be my distinct honor if you could drop in a pay us a quick visit, if this is not too much a burden, Mr. Guttenberg:

Fuzzy Wombat :: View topic - Jawbone54's thread

I always wanted to know, how long did it take you to write the Guttenberg bible, and where did you learn such fantastic penmanship? I tell you, kids these days don't know how to use a pen like they used to...