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

Why are we so interested in other peoples solutions to our problems and challenges? Is it because we are so quick to pass on the responsibility to someone else, instead of taking a risk and dealing with the consequences of our actions?.....just a thought!

Well speaking for myself, it makes me feel less lonely to know there's people out there on the other side of the screen.

Hmm i was talking more on a day to day basis, not just in cyber space. It is good to social chit chat and meet intereseting characters. My point is that, why as a race do we feel the urge to pass on the responsibility of our actions onto others, often complete strangers?

Some of us aren't vain enough to think we can work everything out on our own. There's nothing wrong with listening to other peoples advice. It's only when you think someone else can solve your problems for you that you run into trouble.

You say 'Why?'.

I say 'Why not?'.

<- it's a pimms and lemonade, in honour of the sunshine we have here in berkshire this afternoon...

If you ask for someone's advice, it remains your choice whether or not to act on what they tell you.

Some people cant deal with things by themselves and maybe need advice on their life, why bottle it up when there are others willing to help.

And yes Berkshire is lovely today, looking over river thames by castle at the mo an its

Hearing someone elses completely useless advice on your situation can lead to clarification and increased definition to your own ideas on what to do.

As for the abducation of responsibility - it's probably an ego defense mechanism, if you have no idea what to do and you take someelse's advice you can convince yourself that *all* their fault.

So, if it is purely an ego-massaging technique and a "get out" clause to allow us to blame others, then wouldnt the world be a happier place if we all just took responisibility for our actions and behaviour and started living life instead of putting metaphorical roadblocks in our way, as reasons not to do things? (I think we do this 9 out of 10 times cos thats the easier option!)
I do agree that it can be helpful to ask advice, as it sometimes clarifies things just as long as we still take ultimate responsibility for the final outcome ourselves.

They say we learn by our mistakes - and call it "experience".

Asking other's advice allows us to learn from *their* mistakes and experience, and make our own judgements.

"Is it safe to touch this live wire?"
-"Don't ask me - touch it yourself and find out! Just because I have a third degree burn to my hand doesn't mean you'll get one!"