Doing a disservice?

Why not both? Give an answer that's an overview, point to full resources.

Meh. People who will take the time to learn will do it of their own volition, not because you didn't answer them directly. You can't teach a horse to fish.

By answering questions rather than pointing OPs to resources that they can use to teach themselves?

I wonder if sometimes we are doing more harm by giving a little bit of knowledge at a time rather than helping people see the entire picture.

so if someone asks you directions in the street do you go tell then to buy a map? Or give them the information that you have in the knowledge that if they really want a more detailed route they will go to another resource.

Silly people in research based fields... *most* people just want their questions answered, having to read and stuff is boring.



Ok, I'm going to duck and run for cover now.

For many people, if they were willing to research something, they know where google is.

For some people, they could have read so many conflicting things, they don't know what to believe so they ask.

The people who really want to know will read what you give them, respond, and do their own research. The rest just want to complain or have someone tell them what they want to hear. I'm at the point where I'll answer questions, but will no longer waste my time trying to convince someone with their head up their *kitten* that the air quality and light are better out here.

I am about at that point as well. Laying down the information and just walking away, letting them take it or leave it.

But some of those people may not know what resources to use to do actual research. We have all seen opinion blogs posted as proof of a concept.

But some of us newbies DO know how to research and think for ourselves. I personally find it useful to ask questions in the forum and sift through the responses. Sometimes I don't agree with what people say, but almost always I mull it over for a while and dig deeper. And I have changed a LOT of what I do based on information people have given in the forums. The veterans & successful folks may feel like they are shouting at stubborn morons who won't listen, and maybe that's true for some, but others of us actually do listen and learn.

I'll give you an example - thank you to all the folks who say track fiber instead of sugar. I'm hypoglycemic, so thought I needed to micromanage carbs & sugar. I rolled my eyes at all the people who said ignore sugar because I was convinced I knew better. And, well two things happened: I made myself miserable trying to control my sugar intake, and I did a LOT more research on the benefits of fiber. I had learned how to eat carbs successfully w/blood sugar issues, but I still felt that twinge of fear at fruit and found myself passing up perfectly healthy carbs (like beans and lentils) because my carb-fear kicked in. As SOON as I took that sugar column off and switched to fiber, ALL my macros clicked in place. Now I'm eating almost the EXACT same amount of carbs as before, just a greater variety of whole grains, fruits, & veggies. And you know what? My blood sugar is still well under control. An apple isn't an evil boatload of sugar anymore - now it's a fiber superstar. I'm happier. Getting my calories is easier. I listened, I thought about it, I researched, and I tried it. Turns out, THE FORUM WAS RIGHT.

So some of us do listen, even when we ask stupid questions and sound like we are stubbornly clinging to myths and lies we've convinced ourselves are true.