h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Research things thoroughly. Then wait to hear from someone else who has been more thorough. And, fifty years from now, the right answer will be found to be wrong. Maybe your wrong answer will seem more correct, but you won't be around.

I like fiction. Just don't include illustrations that might be seen as offensive to future generations.

"The two things people on the internet tend to waste their time doing are telling everybody else their consumer choices, and repeating questionable information."

There's a a part of that that is factual: people on the Internet do spend a lot of time on those pursuits. There is a part that is opinion: that this tends to be a waste of time. Anther observer might have a different opinion. For instance, until you share the information you have, you might not know how questionable your information is. And you might not change your opinion after finding out what other people think of it.

Some would call this a teaching moment.

As for the product aspect, couldn't it be possible that some products really are better than others, and some people might benefit by learning about them.

I'm not saying that all of us need to be part if this if we don't want to to, or that those who don't participate are doing anything wrong. I'm just coming in from a different direction. If you don't share your views on products, maybe you are benefiting from the work of those who do.

That is my opinion. I sometimes answer other Amazon customers' questions about products I have bought.

My old philosophy lecturer was fond of asking 'What do you mean by...'

So, what do you mean by 'questionable information'?

This is just me, but I think most information can be questioned. People disagree as to whether captain Kidd was a pirate or not. Juries convict people who later turn out to be exonerated on DNA evidence.

Finding the truth is hard. We don't want to believe untruths, but even experts can disagree.

The car / helicopter metaphor remind me of this:

Last week I explained junior why he should stay on the right side of the road before turning a blind corner. (If everyone does that you won't crash into them, that's why).

All the internet cookie settings are there to allow others to collect your preferences, so I tend to turn off as much as possible, they might misinterpret stuff if I don't. Maybe that is why I am not on Facebook? (They probably know most of me anyway, but hey, one can try...)

Because of the cookies I get a lot of email.

*I like fiction. Just don't include illustrations that might be seen as offensive to future generations.*

Whereas....

I like fiction. I really don't care if my illustrations are seen as offensive to future generations!

View from my bike not car. (and my mechanic's female and very trustworthy by the way!) Different viewpoints indeed!

And at the bottom of this excellent column is a lovely box with a play button.... Must be another GoHL masterpiece... Nope it's a bloody advert.

They're watching!

Okay.

Take care.