Something to think about
- Thread starter DionR
- Start date
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He makes some very good points, especially regarding the condescending know-it-alls on social media. I try to stay far away from the car pages on FB for that very reason.
He nailed it, that said, it's also part of the weeding-out process. We've obviously had certain threads that decend into pissing matches, & that turns certain novices off looking for helpful guidance....but if that's all it takes to discourage them, maybe the hobby isn't for them anyways. We've had people ask for help countless times, then argue with the advice when they don't get the answer they were hoping for, even going to multiple sites that the same Members here belong to looking for somebody to tell them what they want to hear.
It goes both ways in the instant google-gratification paradigm, hotrodding racing & restorations are definitely not hobbies for snowflakes, they come with challenges & hard realities. Sometimes, the answers aren't easy or quick, no matter how much We'd like them to be.
Certainly, those of Us with experience sometimes forget how much We didn't know when We got started, it's easy to forget after a while....I remember a few hard lessons, & try to keep them in mind when I see others struggling these days. It's also a fact, the more You learn, the more You realize how much You don't know.......so get busy!!!!
It goes both ways in the instant google-gratification paradigm, hotrodding racing & restorations are definitely not hobbies for snowflakes, they come with challenges & hard realities. Sometimes, the answers aren't easy or quick, no matter how much We'd like them to be.
Certainly, those of Us with experience sometimes forget how much We didn't know when We got started, it's easy to forget after a while....I remember a few hard lessons, & try to keep them in mind when I see others struggling these days. It's also a fact, the more You learn, the more You realize how much You don't know.......so get busy!!!!
You make some really valid points here. This hobby is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for anyone who gives up easily.
For me, as someone who's fairly new to old cars, it's annoying when a seemingly basic question is asked or if someone is trying to learn a basic concept, only to get put down or laughed at. Luckily, it hasn't really happened to me, but I've seen it lots of times and it's mostly on garbage social media.
...and if I ever feel like knowing how much I don't know, I just jump on FABO and read through some of these threads where you guys get technical and really start kicking down knowledge. That usually takes about 3 seconds.
For me, as someone who's fairly new to old cars, it's annoying when a seemingly basic question is asked or if someone is trying to learn a basic concept, only to get put down or laughed at. Luckily, it hasn't really happened to me, but I've seen it lots of times and it's mostly on garbage social media.
Couldn't agree more. If I were to give advice to someone just getting started, one thing would be that you can't just Google your way through this hobby. It takes patience, trial and error, and expect to fail lots of times. Pick up old books/manuals and read them. Learn how to troubleshoot.
...and if I ever feel like knowing how much I don't know, I just jump on FABO and read through some of these threads where you guys get technical and really start kicking down knowledge. That usually takes about 3 seconds.
DionR
Well-Known Member
I agree, the person trying to learn that won't accept input is just frustrating. Not sure if it is a result of the same issue as the video is talking about (e.g. I know a car has 4 tires so I must know as much as these guys) or if it is our current education system moving kids along regardless of how they are doing and presenting participation awards for everything. Either way, it isn't limited to the car hobby and is an issue across all spectrums of life for some reason.
At the same time, I think the issue in the video is something that everyone should be aware of regardless of experience level. I don't care who you are, none of us knows everything about everything and yet sometimes we get into pissing matches because we come across like we do. Sometimes we just need to stop and ask; "could I be missing something?"
Remembering we don't know what we don't know and acting with some grace and humility would probably go a long ways to making this environment more welcoming, maybe even for some of those experienced folks that were here for years and have quietly walked away.
Wow, not a day goes by that I don't bang my head against the wall reading posts from some people. I just responded to a thread on another site where the fellow was asking about what style pushrods to use, ball or cup. He didn't seem to have a clue why you would need one end or the other. He was going to build a high performance roller cammed big block. Put your Crescent wrench down and back away from the computer screen. Where's that brick wall. 
Wow, not a day goes by that I don't bang my head against the wall reading posts from some people. I just responded to a thread on another site where the fellow was asking about what style pushrods to use, ball or cup. He didn't seem to have a clue why you would need one end or the other. He was going to build a high performance roller cammed big block. Put your Crescent wrench down and back away from the computer screen. Where's that brick wall.
You forgot the channel locks with the crescent wrench tool kit.
The ones that ask, zero idea about trying to diagnose, get some suggestions to help narrow the problem, DO NONE, then complain about how things are so expensive shooting the money cannon at the problem. SMH
Simple stuff to diagnose that cost nothing... nope, ain't got time for that!
I have an electrical issue or a handyman type deal around my house that I'm not sure about, I ask my friend that is a 35 year electrician/construction super and take the advice to heart. Guy has seen it all. I bet I could get all sorts of answers from the net, right? LOL
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Saint Google save Me!!!!You forgot the channel locks with the crescent wrench tool kit.
The ones that ask, zero idea about trying to diagnose, get some suggestions to help narrow the problem, DO NONE, then complain about how things are so expensive shooting the money cannon at the problem. SMH
Simple stuff to diagnose that cost nothing... nope, ain't got time for that!
I have an electrical issue or a handyman type deal around my house that I'm not sure about, I ask my friend that is a 35 year electrician/construction super and take the advice to heart. Guy has seen it all. I bet I could get all sorts of answers from the net, right? LOL
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