> What is going on here with the thirsty analogy mentioned before:
> Q: I'm thirsty.
> A: The tap is behind you.
> Q: But I'm really really thirsty,why don't you give me a f. glass of
water?
> A: Because the tap is right behind you, help yourself.
> 3rd person: You moron, why  don't you give him a glass of water, can't
> you see he's really begging you?

You MUST, I think,  add " ... I think ..." or similar to the 1st line :-).

ie that's an opinion of the process, and not one that everyone agrees with.
I can safely say that because I at least disagree.
It's a "straw man" with only a semblance of correctness.

You have put the f' and moron in the mouths of the wrong parties.
To make the analogy more accurate the second line would read more like
"A. Go away and find a tap f moron."
(That also isn't accurate - just closer to what people hear).

And, I have at no time seen anyone demanding that anyone else provide
technical support to someone who requests it. It ha so far been universally
accepted that a person may freely choose to offer advice or withhold it -
even if withholding it can be a somewhat "dog in the manger" act in extreme
cases.

Also, I don't recall anyone having much sympathy with people who beg
repeatedly or who don't learn lessons about contributing and asking
appropriately.

And the questions maybe should be written in a style as used by a person who
is unfamiliar with English.


         R



.
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist