But it's also true that the energy required to generate and refute BS differ by an order of magnitude. Having now accumulated over 400 astronomy-related Q&A's for the AAAAAAAA posts, I feel fairly confident about stating that one may indeed sometimes go to great lengths to answer a question and be entirely able to decline a request for more information without any ill intent. I've had God knows how many requests to watch multi-hour documentaries, as though a stranger on the internet is entitled to influence my TV watching more than my closest friends (whose recommendations tend to take several months before I finally give in and actually examine). The fact I volunteer some of my time to this is no way enslaves me to whatever some half-wit on the internet thinks I ought to be doing.
Of course it does depend strongly on context, but I do think the final point of the OP is one worth making. Not answering a question does not mean one has lost an argument.
I think that the important part is just the last sentence there: "Not answering a question does not mean one has lost an argument."
One of the reasons I argue on the Internet is to practice looking stuff up that I might not have had a chance to previously, so I frequently have supporting links handy.
The context is different if you have just posted a link that has all that stuff in it already. Then it's perfectly reasonable to say "Read the Post already!"
Every time you feel like being the smartest person in the room, it's time to leave. Either you are right, then you can not learn anything. Or you are wrong, then you are judgemental about your fellow people and should go ask someone about it. Only exception from this rule: Teaching, but that requires consent.
Markus Feilner >" Only exception from this rule: Teaching, but that requires consent."
My wife teaches online, and encounters quite a few students who simply refuse to be taught, preferring to argue with her in the same manner you might find in an Internet forum. It ought to be obvious that signing up for a class is giving the instructor "consent to teach", but maybe that needs to be explicitly stated. I'll pass on the idea and see if it helps.
Dan Eastwood That's hilarious. But I think your wife ought to talk to Laura Gibbs and see if she has encountered that sort of behavior. It seems pretty abnormal and/or pathological. Does she teach kids with emotional problems specifically?
Dan Eastwood I wonder if it is possible they're autodidacts and don't know how to interact with a professor. Do you think it's more than chance? She could write a paper on it if it is.
I'm afraid not. More like ill-mannered, ill-prepared, selfish individuals who take advantage of a system that demands teachers coddle them no matter what they do. Just keep that student loan money flowing in.
Due to a small but consistent influx of spam, comments will now be checked before publishing. Only egregious spam/illegal/racist crap will be disapproved, everything else will be published.
Can confirm, I have nothing to do with the Borg.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I mainly have is with the people who make extravagant claims and then use this logic to avoid supporting their claims.
ReplyDeleteBecause ignorance and arrogance go hand-in-hand.
But it's also true that the energy required to generate and refute BS differ by an order of magnitude. Having now accumulated over 400 astronomy-related Q&A's for the AAAAAAAA posts, I feel fairly confident about stating that one may indeed sometimes go to great lengths to answer a question and be entirely able to decline a request for more information without any ill intent. I've had God knows how many requests to watch multi-hour documentaries, as though a stranger on the internet is entitled to influence my TV watching more than my closest friends (whose recommendations tend to take several months before I finally give in and actually examine). The fact I volunteer some of my time to this is no way enslaves me to whatever some half-wit on the internet thinks I ought to be doing.
ReplyDeleteOf course it does depend strongly on context, but I do think the final point of the OP is one worth making. Not answering a question does not mean one has lost an argument.
I think that the important part is just the last sentence there: "Not answering a question does not mean one has lost an argument."
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I argue on the Internet is to practice looking stuff up that I might not have had a chance to previously, so I frequently have supporting links handy.
The context is different if you have just posted a link that has all that stuff in it already. Then it's perfectly reasonable to say "Read the Post already!"
I have weird hobbies, though, so YMMV.
Or Argumentum ad YouTubum. Why spend 30 seconds reading some inane opinion when you can spend 10 minutes watching the video?
ReplyDeleteEvery time you feel like being the smartest person in the room, it's time to leave. Either you are right, then you can not learn anything. Or you are wrong, then you are judgemental about your fellow people and should go ask someone about it. Only exception from this rule: Teaching, but that requires consent.
ReplyDeleteRhys Taylor I hear there's a new Ancient Aliens dropping on broadcast television. This makes me glad that I'm not in the physics community.
ReplyDeleteMarkus Feilner
ReplyDelete>" Only exception from this rule: Teaching, but that requires consent."
My wife teaches online, and encounters quite a few students who simply refuse to be taught, preferring to argue with her in the same manner you might find in an Internet forum. It ought to be obvious that signing up for a class is giving the instructor "consent to teach", but maybe that needs to be explicitly stated. I'll pass on the idea and see if it helps.
Dan Eastwood That's hilarious. But I think your wife ought to talk to Laura Gibbs and see if she has encountered that sort of behavior. It seems pretty abnormal and/or pathological. Does she teach kids with emotional problems specifically?
ReplyDeleteBob Calder She teaches Psychology for two online schools (names withheld).
ReplyDeleteDan Eastwood I wonder if it is possible they're autodidacts and don't know how to interact with a professor. Do you think it's more than chance? She could write a paper on it if it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid not. More like ill-mannered, ill-prepared, selfish individuals who take advantage of a system that demands teachers coddle them no matter what they do. Just keep that student loan money flowing in.
ReplyDeleteI used to think that I might retire to a teach job someday, but in the current climate of how adjuncts are treated that seems much less appealing.
ReplyDelete