The Local Know-it-Alls

x-no-archive:yes

I'm sure this happens in most newsgroups. There are always a few
know-it-alls who chime in on almost every thread whether they know something
about the topic or not. Then one day someone might swing by who might
actually know what they are talking about. This person might even have an
advanced degree related to a particular topic (thread) they enter. The
local know-it-alls chime in and bash the only person that really knows
what's going on. When they finally wise-up and realize they're wrong, they
stick to their guns and argue anyway so they don't lose face as the local
know-it-all. Do you know what happens next? I'm sure the know-it-alls know
the answer. See ya!

So do you know what I say to the local know-it-alls Wayne and Patterson?
I'm sure they know.

"Stoutman" <z.@.z> wrote in message news:xSuPg.41416$lk6.11440@tornado.southeast.rr.co m...
> I'm sure this happens in most newsgroups. There are always a few
> know-it-alls who chime in on almost every thread whether they know something
> about the topic or not. Then one day someone might swing by who might
> actually know what they are talking about. This person might even have an
> advanced degree related to a particular topic (thread) they enter. The
> local know-it-alls chime in and bash the only person that really knows
> what's going on. When they finally wise-up and realize they're wrong, they
> stick to their guns and argue anyway so they don't lose face as the local
> know-it-all. Do you know what happens next? I'm sure the know-it-alls know
> the answer. See ya!
>
> So do you know what I say to the local know-it-alls Wayne and Patterson?
> I'm sure they know.

In every case you can blame the student for being dumb
OR the teacher for the lacks in his/her teaching skills

Maybe you just did not make your statements clear enough
for lay men not knowing some important consequences of
your statements, which are obvious for you, the expert,
but not so obvious for everybody else...

For example - "animals need/use oxygen" can be understand
by a person not knowing biology/chemistry literally that
the oxygen is "eaten up" and it is gone, disappears
Other can think that the oxygen is neccessary, and it is
taken from nitrate ion. Others, more educated, know that
oxygen is ony one of many available oxidation agents
and the real goal is to get chemical energy in the redox
process of some kind...

So work on your ways to express your arguments in a form
which is understandable for the lay person, without the
need to insult them, if possible

Cheers,
Pszemol.

Stoutman wrote:

> So do you know what I say to the local know-it-alls Wayne and Patterson?

So, if you can't provide correct answers, or if you can't present them in a
convincing fashion, attack the other participants in the discussion. Called an
"ad hominum" argument.

Not a technique I would recommend, but it's your choice.

George Patterson
All successes in conservation are temporary. All defeats are permanent.

What I think is funny, really funny, is when people that
have fish only tanks come to this newsgroup thinking that
they are a Know-it-all, and try to tell us reefers that
have been doing it for a long time, how to take care of
our reef tanks, and try to tell us that water changes are
a waist of money.

hehehehehe

Reminds me of a certain person that visited this newsgroup
claiming to be a biologist, telling us that he knew better
than us, and that we were waisting our money buying
expensive lighting for corals, and claiming that corals
did not need bright light.

Yea we get those Know-it-all here from time to time.

The latest Know-it-all goes by the name "Stoutman" who
says that we don't need to do water changes, but he just
has a fish only tank, and does not know squat.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
Wayne@WaynesPets.com


Stoutman wrote on 9/18/2006 6:51 AM:
> x-no-archive:yes
>
> I'm sure this happens in most newsgroups. There are always a few
> know-it-alls who chime in on almost every thread whether they know something
> about the topic or not. Then one day someone might swing by who might
> actually know what they are talking about. This person might even have an
> advanced degree related to a particular topic (thread) they enter. The
> local know-it-alls chime in and bash the only person that really knows
> what's going on. When they finally wise-up and realize they're wrong, they
> stick to their guns and argue anyway so they don't lose face as the local
> know-it-all. Do you know what happens next? I'm sure the know-it-alls know
> the answer. See ya!
>
> So do you know what I say to the local know-it-alls Wayne and Patterson?
> I'm sure they know.
>
>
>
>

>
>> So do you know what I say to the local know-it-alls Wayne and Patterson?
>
> So, if you can't provide correct answers, or if you can't present them in
> a convincing fashion,

I can't provide correct answers? I never gave an incorrect answer. Do you
still think denitrifying anaerobic bacteria convert NO3- into gaseous N2 and
O2 and then use the oxygen as food?

I think my problem was that I wasn't able to over-simplify things enough for
you to understand. Something I will work on.


>attack the other participants in the discussion. Called an "ad hominum"
>argument.

Nope. Telling you that you are a know-it-all is not an ad hominum argument.
Writing that you don't understand biochemistry because you are stupid is an
ad hominum argument.

I'm sure you will argue with me on this point as well. I expect it. This
is how I felt when I tried to explain denitrification to you: Me: Fire is
hot. You: No its not. Me: Yes, fire is hot because... You: No it's not.


> Not a technique I would recommend, but it's your choice.

Apparently not even a technique you understand.


> George Patterson
> All successes in conservation are temporary. All defeats are
> permanent.

* Wayne Sallee wrote, On 9/18/2006 11:58 AM:
> What I think is funny, really funny, is when people that have fish only
> tanks come to this newsgroup thinking that they are a Know-it-all, and
> try to tell us reefers that have been doing it for a long time, how to
> take care of our reef tanks, and try to tell us that water changes are a
> waist of money.
>
> hehehehehe
>
> Reminds me of a certain person that visited this newsgroup claiming to
> be a biologist, telling us that he knew better than us, and that we were
> waisting our money buying expensive lighting for corals, and claiming
> that corals did not need bright light.
>
> Yea we get those Know-it-all here from time to time.

Maybe I'm just used to the OLD know-it-alls, (all of whom I've found to be very
helpful,) but I find the NEW know-it-alls who come in with an attitude and start
insulting people to be offensive.

Wayne and George have always provided me with information that I needed
when ever I posted a question. I never once looked at either of them as a
"know it all". More to the point, I look at them as individuals who have
more knowledge then I do and are willing to share their experiences to help
me and others with their tanks. I for one am very appreciative of their
effortsand hope they will continue to help those who need it. I find it in
poor taste for you to come in here and belittle them as you did.
"Cindy" <cinshep@hotmail.com> wrote in message
newskHPg.2514$GR.2396@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net ...
>* Wayne Sallee wrote, On 9/18/2006 11:58 AM:
>> What I think is funny, really funny, is when people that have fish only
>> tanks come to this newsgroup thinking that they are a Know-it-all, and
>> try to tell us reefers that have been doing it for a long time, how to
>> take care of our reef tanks, and try to tell us that water changes are a
>> waist of money.
>>
>> hehehehehe
>>
>> Reminds me of a certain person that visited this newsgroup claiming to be
>> a biologist, telling us that he knew better than us, and that we were
>> waisting our money buying expensive lighting for corals, and claiming
>> that corals did not need bright light.
>>
>> Yea we get those Know-it-all here from time to time.
>
> Maybe I'm just used to the OLD know-it-alls, (all of whom I've found to be
> very helpful,) but I find the NEW know-it-alls who come in with an
> attitude and start insulting people to be offensive.

"Peter Pan" <P-Pan@Neverland.com> wrote in message news:1Oedncugbd_X2JLYnZ2dnUVZ_oidnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Wayne and George have always provided me with information that I needed
> when ever I posted a question. I never once looked at either of them as a
> "know it all". More to the point, I look at them as individuals who have
> more knowledge then I do and are willing to share their experiences to help
> me and others with their tanks. I for one am very appreciative of their
> effortsand hope they will continue to help those who need it. I find it in
> poor taste for you to come in here and belittle them as you did.

I have to agree. I have got a lot of helpful informations
from people on this group and learned a lot...
Including Wayne providing helpful tips with growing up my
maroon clowns and helping with the process of distributing
them in local pet stores. A lot of PRACTICAL knowledge!
Let's keep this group of helpful people together, as it is...

Yep, but I think you quoted the wrong person

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
Wayne@WaynesPets.com


Peter Pan wrote on 9/18/2006 9:18 PM:
> Wayne and George have always provided me with information that I needed
> when ever I posted a question. I never once looked at either of them as a
> "know it all". More to the point, I look at them as individuals who have
> more knowledge then I do and are willing to share their experiences to help
> me and others with their tanks. I for one am very appreciative of their
> effortsand hope they will continue to help those who need it. I find it in
> poor taste for you to come in here and belittle them as you did.
> "Cindy" <cinshep@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> newskHPg.2514$GR.2396@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net ...
>> * Wayne Sallee wrote, On 9/18/2006 11:58 AM:
>>> What I think is funny, really funny, is when people that have fish only
>>> tanks come to this newsgroup thinking that they are a Know-it-all, and
>>> try to tell us reefers that have been doing it for a long time, how to
>>> take care of our reef tanks, and try to tell us that water changes are a
>>> waist of money.
>>>
>>> hehehehehe
>>>
>>> Reminds me of a certain person that visited this newsgroup claiming to be
>>> a biologist, telling us that he knew better than us, and that we were
>>> waisting our money buying expensive lighting for corals, and claiming
>>> that corals did not need bright light.
>>>
>>> Yea we get those Know-it-all here from time to time.
>> Maybe I'm just used to the OLD know-it-alls, (all of whom I've found to be
>> very helpful,) but I find the NEW know-it-alls who come in with an
>> attitude and start insulting people to be offensive.
>
>

"Wayne Sallee" <Wayne@WayneSallee.com> wrote in message news:JaTPg.14112$xQ1.150@newsread3.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> Yep, but I think you quoted the wrong person

Peter did not talk about Cindy ?