Why Do Inexperienced People, with No Knowledge, Offer Advice ?

[sailingmonica]

I dunno, but here are two examples:

1) I told an employee at a West Marine store (do not insist, I won't tell you which one, and BTW he still works there) that I want a fuel filter finer than 20 microns and he gave me one for 50 microns. I said 50 is bigger than 20 and I want smaller. He told me that the microns work the same as the wire gauge, the bigger the number the smaller it is.

2) My husband went to a Home Depot with a metric nut in hand looking for the respective matching metric bolt. As he was trying bolts on the nut an employee offered to help, picked up an imperial bolt and screwed it in the metric nut. Of course, it only went in about three quarters of a turn. My husband pointed out to the Home Depot guy that it doesn't fit. His answer? "This as close as it gets".

[sailingmonica]

...and one more:

I went to a Canadian Tire store and asked for a 12V power cord. "What for?" asked the employee. "For my 12V TV" I said. "There is no such thing as 12V TV. All TVs are 110V" came the answer.

[perchance]

In many circumstances the advise you get is worth exactly what you paid for it.

[Therapy]

Sailingmonica,

Remind me not to shop in Toronto with you.

LOL

PS. I just gave some advise on another thread about battery chargers.
I didn't charge for it either.

[delmarrey]

I only take bad advise. That way I always have someone else to blame.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

I find that the advice given often depends on what question was asked.

Absolutely! One thing that I see frequently on this forum is that someone will propose a really bad idea, and then ask what people think about it. Then, when you tell them that it's a really bad idea, they get angry.

Here's how it works:

Q: I want a 35' boat, but can only afford a 32' boat, so I'm thinking that I should buy a 32' boat, cut it in half and then add 3' to the middle. I'll do the work myself, of course, because I can't afford for a boat yard to help. What does everyone think about that idea?

Bash: That's a really bad idea because.... [logical answer follows, pointing out such things as how everything from rigging to lifelines will also need to be replaced, which means it will ultimately be less expensive just to purchase the 35' in the first place.]

OP: Gosh Bash! You are a horrible person. I can't believe you're so negative about everything. I'll bet you've never even cut a 32' boat in half! How can you know it's a bad idea if you've never tried it?

[Chief Engineer]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Because they think they have knowledge to share.





Then why do you seem to be complaining about it?

No...not complaining....just voicing an observation

[John A]

There is a contest amongst avid forum posters to see how many post their tread can generate. Pick a topic and stir the pot with more stupid questions.

It's called trolling.

Some forums keep a running total of how many post a person has done or how many hits a thread could generate.

[andreshs1]

The one I hate is the free advice from those like me..

I am a new sailor, haven't got a freaking clue about most things on sailing or on my boat, but I don't bother others telling them how to do things!!
On the contrary, I am always chasing the experienced ones asking for advice

But there is this guy in my club that bought his boat around the same time as me, and has even less experience than me, but every single time I see him he has advice to give.

2 weeks ago I brought the boat to one of the mooring at the club, and as I was getting off to get some beers the guy comes to me with the notion that once you have enough speed to get to the mooring you should kill the engine....
How do you stop the boat then??? or if the wind push you to the side?? The pontoons are designed for 2 boats alongside each other!!!

I am usually alone in the boat, and I like to take it slowly in and then reverse just enough so I can jump out and tide it up.


I want to print a T-shirt with a good logo, something to keep morons away!!

Andres

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by John A

There is a contest amongst avid forum posters to see how many post their tread can generate. Pick a topic and stir the pot with more stupid questions.

It's called trolling.

Some forums keep a running total of how many post a person has done or how many hits a thread could generate.

I've been on that pitchfork many times. And for the most part the people who are pointing it are far too concerned about their pot, and tend to be a little irrational when a different spoon comes in. The troll card is always a weak play IMUSO.

Bash's scenario above is pretty common. And, yes, newbs with "stupid questions" can get pretty wound up pretty quick. But, many times that reaction is perfectly justified. I've been around long enough to see that there's always some serious tenderness on the other side of that net with long-time dudes who can't stand to have their "advice" questioned...ever.

As long as a forum can navigate between the hysterical nature of both sides, it's all good.

I mean for crying out loud...it's sailing. Not rocket surgery.

[Chief Engineer]

I have thoughly enjoyed the spirited discussion.

My observation is that sometimes too much "advice" will totally befuddle a boat owner...sometimes leading to unhappy results

(see post #84)

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

I have thoughly enjoyed the spirited discussion.

My observation is that sometimes too much "advice" will totally befuddle a boat owner...sometimes leading to unhappy results

(see post #84)

I think that's a very good point. The brain can only process so much information at one time. When I ask a question I try to winnow the results to get to what is, not the true points but, the points that will help me solve the problem. That said the other information will filter through and utlimately increase my understanding but in the short term it's the direct route to solving the actual problem that I'm seeking most of the time. Of course it is different if the question is just seeking general understanding; the difference between my engine isn't running and how does sheeting in the main impact the flow of wind.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

My observation is that sometimes too much "advice" will totally befuddle a boat owner...sometimes leading to unhappy results

I share this concern, Chief. There was a recent thread on the Vessel Not Under Command rule in the Colregs, and one forum member repeatedly was posting incorrect information. His ideas were logical, perhaps even sensible, but they were entirely wrong. Two of the forum advisers and two moderators jumped into the discussion to provide the currect application of this rule, but the forum member with the contrary opinion kept posting and reposting and reposting, as if he thought that if he stuck to his incorrect opinion long enough it would somehow become correct. It became a frustrating conversation for all concerned, especially for a few of our members who are academy-trained professional mariners who have studies the rules of the road in great detail.

[imagine2frolic]

This works both ways. There are professionals, at least people who take your money, and have no idea what they're doing.

Sometimes to diagnose a problem it needs to be hands on. Especially when it is mechanical. I was in the exhaust business for 33 years. I specialized in Rolls, Ferrari, cars so old, and so rare I didn't know what they were.

I also worked on everyday cars. At times I would misdiagnose something. It's human, and no one is perfect. I would put it back together, and even with 40-60 minutes of time involved I wouldn't charge anything. You can't pay for advertisement like that.......i2f

[Canibul]

maybe befuddled people shouldnt be driving big heavy things like boats, cars, or airplanes. Or submarines. Or motorcycles.

When was too much information ever really a problem?