Armchair Generals

In the absence of any knowledge gained by seeing posted work, I guess it would be useful to preface any advice with a hint as to how the knowledge was obtained rather than a didactic "You don't do it like that, this is the proper way to do it:"

To continue the analogy: "When I was fighting the Zulu back in '79 at Isandlwana..." might lead one to believe that the general was a) out of date and b) lost the battle.

I think it's just a question of tone really, with perhaps a touch of humility e.g. "I could be wrong but..."

Rod

Back end of last year I picked up some bound volumes of model engineering mags from the middle 70's and I was amused to read the letters pages, two or more correspondents would be at each others throats but very polite and proper such as ' Sir I beg to differ but your comments lead me to believe that you have never turned on a lathe never mind used one ................

H

<< I think it's just a question of tone really, with perhaps a touch of humility e.g. "I could be wrong but...>>

I quite agree with you Rod, it is a question of tone, and if you get it wrong you come across in a way that you probably did not intend. A lot of posts I read come across as scathing, overbearing and holier than thou. I try to see through this because it just might be me interpretting the tone incorrectly (even though know I am not in most cases).

I recently posted a comment of my observations on the ML7 pulley and the lack of an oil point. Because I was unsure without looking into my notes, I raised the point that the set screw is probably a dust cover, or could bear down on a key? The reply I got in the next post was ""No it doesn't locate a key! Otherwise the pulley could not rotate on the spindle when back gear is engaged!"". The tone and exclamation marks made me feel as though I was being chastised and I felt like I had just had my knuckles rapped, from someone with the knowledge. If the reply had been something like ""Hi Steve, the set screw is in fact a cover. It should not be tightened else there is a risk of damaging the spindle"" I would have walked away from the forum in a happier state.

I could go on, but I will leave it at that for now.

Steve

Some people are so rude with their short comments!

Quite So !!!

It may be considered symptomatic of society as a whole.

Instead of "I regret that I must beg to differ" or similar tone, "You're wrong, sunshine" or some equally aggressive rebuke. News is reported as "he denies the claim" instead of "he repudiated/rebutted the allegation", the implication being that the one trying to refute the allegation is lying, which is not necessarily true.

A saddening reflection on modern life.

Dennis

I may be wrong but I think that's where smileys may help

Rod

Just lighthearted banter. Nice one Steambuff.

Of course this is another area that can be misunderstood. The regulars on any forum can think of the others as 'mates down the pub' and use expressions that without the tone of voice or expression don't quite come across as intended.

Back on topic. A balance of theory (as in reading not heavy maths) and prctice is desirable but unlike a college course reading ME and MEW includes 'practice by proxy' which can be as valuable as wasting hours dong it wrong in the shed.

Manners maketh Man

Whilst I agree, generally (!!) with the comments made so far, there can be a fine line drawn between sycophantic la di da, and initiating a turf war. After all, what one person can accept as a gentle, humorous ribbing, another will take as heavy handed sarcasm.

I suppose the answers are either to know your correspondents, or be polite. Again politeness varies around the World, for instance, fortunately there is virtually no such thing as polite small talk in Australia, attempt it and you get accused of being a boring old person, or so I'm told. Whereas in England its possible to conduct an hour long conversation about the weather, and be none the wiser at conversations end.

cheers

Bill

ps Apparently "polite small talk" can be conducted for hours in Australia as long as its about the "footie", and even the definition of "footie" varies from State to State as there are four different types of game that qualify as "footie" (Australian Rules Footie, Rugby League "footie", Rugby Union "footie", and Football, whoops Soccer).

Edited By Bill Pudney on 16/02/2014 09:03:54

Perhaps things have changed, but when I did my various university courses there was practice as well as theory (and heavy maths!). On my first degree I gained a first on my theory exams but was relegated to a 2.1 after the practical. Hopefully my practice has improved a bit since then.

Russell.

I agree with Bill, we are all divided by the fact that we all communicate in English, BUT our language differs from country to country, and even from different parts of those countries. I have only spent a few months in UK, a good many years ago, stayed in a number of places from Eastbourne, to Paisley, and each place seemed to speak a different language.

As for armchair generals, some at least are people who, for one reason or another are unable to get to their workshop, be it age, health, or just no workshop, but have the knowledge of years of experience to give to those of us without the knowledge. Ian S C