Ignorance: Not an Excuse, or Best Policy?
@ElementalDragon (156)
United States
March 19, 2007 12:43pm CST
Also known as "How was I supposed to know that?"
I was just reading one of my friend's discussions having to do with not starting discussions on myLot. The reason one of the responders gave for not starting discussions was that they got told that their discussions they were starting were against the guidleines of myLot. This responder then goes on to say about that comment, "How was I suppose[sic] to know back then when I just started? I was in for the money and not thinking I would be enjoying myself with the discussion."
Okay, this type of attitude is one of my pet peeves. "How was I suppose[sic] to know...?" I'm sorry, but myLot provides a link to their guidelines at the bottom of every page. And it should provide links to that information on sign up, as well. THAT's how you were supposed to know. Greed is not an excuse for ignorance. Laziness is not an excuse for ignorance. If you are going to be participating in something, whether it's myLot or some other online forum/bulletin board, YOU need to be responsible for reading the rules and following them. If you fail to do that, at least admit that you made a mistake and don't try to make it sound like it's someone else's fault.
So, am I being too harsh by calling this type of person an idiot? Are you one of this type of person, a person who jumps into something headfirst without checking to see what kind of rocks you might hit your head on, and feel offended that I'm calling you an idiot? I apologize. Maybe childish and/or immature would be a bit better than idiot.
My $0.02 at the moment.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
20 Mar 07
I know that I read the guidelines, and I periodically re read the guidelines, and that sometimes the guidelines change. I think I have the same friend as you, and I looked at his profile. Someone told him his discussions were against the guidelines, but they pretty much looked okay to me. The person did not go the step to inform him WHY they were against the guidelines. I did tell him why they might be against the guidelines. Yes, we are responsible for "reading the instructions". I have a brother that took on a project at my Mom's house, without reading the directions, and he told me I could read the directions, so that if he got it wrong, I could tell him how to fix it. I tend to be that way, by impulse, but my first hubby, and his mom, were very "by the book" and letter by letter people, so even if I want to jump right in, I know that reading the directions first is a better way. I hope I am at a happy medium. I would like to see that user start some discussions, as I find his answers to be well thought out.
1 person likes this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
19 Mar 07
The term IDIOT may be a bit harsh. People like this deserve to be called idiots, but I doubt that I would actually call them that. I might mention that their IQ is probably about 60 points lower than a rock, but to call them an idiot, I don't think so. Some other terms that come to mind are: If brains were dynamite, you wouldn't have enough to blow your nose, or: If brains were gasoline, you couldn't start a fire. You get the picture.
@ElementalDragon (156)
• United States
20 Mar 07
I admit, I was a bit more caustic with this discussion than I generally like to be. This was written pretty much immediately after reading the response I quoted from, which meant I was writing more from irritation than a reasoned response, which is usually more what I try to do.
But, the fact remains that people who don't read rules/guidelines that are provided and then whine that they "didn't know any better" are one of my pet peeves. And while I generally don't go around calling them idiots, I do usually think that in my own mind. I'm sure some of them are really nice people, but that still doesn't excuse ignorance.
My $0.02 at the moment.
