I would like to point out that for many academics this is the end of the
semester. The tone of this string has gotten "testy"...so everyone...chill
out!
rlh
At 1:16 PM +0000 5/24/99, Simon Marsh wrote:
>Millennial Dragon wrote in message <374869fe.21003170 at news.ox.ac.uk>...
>>On Sun, 23 May 1999 19:22:54 -0000, "Simon Marsh"
>><simonmarsh at tardis99.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>>>You know I've learnt something very intresting from posting a question
>here.
>>>And that is that if you ask someone who is an "expert" in a field
>something,
>>>then they will insult and patronise you for the small and unimportnat
>>>points, because "they are clever".
>>>>We aren't insulting you because you're stupid or we're clever, but
>>because you were irritating us.
>>Charmed I'm sure.
>One asks oneself what the whole point of having people who know information
>that might actually be of use to others is, if they find it an irriation to
>actually dispense this information to those who don't know it.
>>If I am causing an irriatation by posting what would appear to be an
>intelligent question (intelligent as it seems to be a question that a lot of
>people ask) then I'm not sorry. Frankly if 40 odd words on a computer screen
>is enough to be rewarded with the insults that I have recieved then I dread
>to think how little it would take to casue all out anarchy.
>>>That's Usenet for you: you've got to
>>know your facts before you post.
>>Er... no. If I knew all the answers what would be the point? I am a member
>of others NGs in a feild where I happen to know a lot about. Every now and
>then we get people asking what we see as easy, obvious questions, but it
>doesn't take much to reply in a helpful and friendly way. After all if this
>is where the people who "know" the answers are, then (as stated above) why
>can't we ask them?
>>>No one has to be nice to you.
>>No but it doesn't take much does it?
>>>And, we certainly didn't only pick on "the small and unimportant
>>points"
>>>So what would you call it then?
>>>>I'm not just talking about the guy below but most of the posts here really
>>>are even bording on friendly.
>>>Right, guys, I'm not a "neuroscientest", a university professor or guess
>>>what? I don't even have letters after my name, or have a degree. But
>that's
>>>alright, you've proved all that matters - sad because I had expected
>>>better...
>>>>You don't need to be any of the above, you just need to make sure you
>>read up first before you post,
>>No i posted a question that I thought I might get a sensible answer to. Or
>is asking question of people wronge now? I have already said that I am not a
>neuroscienist and have not tried to get involved in a disscusion that is out
>of my depth. I simply asked a question.
>>>as with anywhere on the Usenet.
>>No we get people asking questions, we answer in a friendly way. As have all
>the other NGs that I have posted what would probably be basic questions to.
>There they seem happy to help.
>>>Scientists aren't any more patient than the next guy.
>>>No true, but then I expect all people to be at the very least polite
>>>>>Making an FAQ is a brilliant idea, but it won't solve any problems if
>>the people who should read it, don't. And I personally don't think
>>that many will.
>>Good grief, if my question has caused you so much pain and suffering why on
>earth did you bother getting involved in the thread in the first place?
>>simon
Richard Hall, Associate Professor of
Comparative Animal Physiology
Division of Sciences and Mathematics
University of the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
340-693-1386
rhall at uvi.edu