AskMe: Let us do your job for you! December 14, 2007 12:17 PM   Subscribe

Is this person at all capable of doing her job?

I apologize if this is a bad call out. This is the bitter production assistant in me (which is a good chunk), but the couple of times I've seen Elle Vator's posts, I get so freakin pissed. And then her job history looks like it's job related as well.

Her past two questions have asked the community to give her answers so she can perform her job and look like a miracle worker to her bosses. I know that this is how she's choosing to use her questions and the information might be important to other people out there, but it really cheeses me off that I learned this stuff on my own either by making mistakes and learning from them or asking the more experienced people that I work with for help. But no, why don't we ask the internet instead and look like an omniscient god?

I just don't think using AskMe as a resource is being resourceful. I feel it's passing the buck so other people do the legwork, but I don't know. Maybe that's the nature of TV and I'm too idealistic to realize it and I need to get out of the business.

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm not jealous that I didn't think of asking AskMe when I'm in a pickle at work. In fact, I'm pretty proud that I don't, but maybe that's my downfall. Ugh.
posted by spec80 to Etiquette/Policy at 12:17 PM (38 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: This seems like a really poorly considered callout. You're attacking a user you don't know for using AskMe as intended. -- cortex



why don't we ask the internet instead and look like an omniscient god?

At best, she may get some well-informed nods in the right direction. It's been my experience that even if you get a really good answer, you still have to do the work.
posted by psmealey at 12:24 PM on December 14, 2007


Oh fucking come on now.
posted by Divine_Wino at 12:25 PM on December 14, 2007


I guess you could always post misleading information to try and get her off track. That'll learn her.
posted by mzurer at 12:27 PM on December 14, 2007


Apology accepted.
posted by found missing at 12:27 PM on December 14, 2007


You could always give logical sounding answers to her questions that will produce terrible results for her. That's the risk you take when you get advice on the internet. This callout may make that difficult, though.
posted by InfidelZombie at 12:28 PM on December 14, 2007


What the hell else is AskMe for?

it really cheeses me off that I learned this stuff on my own either by making mistakes and learning from them or asking the more experienced people that I work with for help. But no, why don't we ask the internet instead and look like an omniscient god?

A smart, resourceful person uses ALL the resources at her disposal.
posted by fiercecupcake at 12:28 PM on December 14, 2007


I was trying to throw mzurer off the scent...
posted by InfidelZombie at 12:28 PM on December 14, 2007


Aw spec80's jealous because they did a lot of unnecessary work when they could have just asked MetaFilter. Poor spec80.
posted by xmutex at 12:30 PM on December 14, 2007


Teacher! Teacher! Elle Vator is cheating on her homework! She did research on the Internet!
posted by brain_drain at 12:31 PM on December 14, 2007


It's a bad callout, and your apology should have been more sincere.
posted by boo_radley at 12:34 PM on December 14, 2007


I just don't think using AskMe as a resource is being resourceful.

Comedy gold.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:35 PM on December 14, 2007 [4 favorites]


"And then her job history looks like it's job related as well."

One would hope so.

This is a phenomenally bad callout, and your apology is wholly inadequate.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:36 PM on December 14, 2007


Sorry then. Nevermind.
posted by spec80 at 12:37 PM on December 14, 2007


it really cheeses me off that I learned this stuff on my own either by making mistakes and learning from them or asking the more experienced people that I work with for help. But no, why don't we ask the internet instead and look like an omniscient god?

Ok, this is kind of crazy, from your perspective reading a how to book, asking a research librarian for help, googling, would all pretty much be cheating? Also, I think you are a jumping to a bunch of conclusions, that she is making herself look like an omniscient god, I constantly tell my bosses I found something by googling or whatever. They are happy I was able to figure it out quickly and for free.

Bosses don't like paying you by the hour to make mistakes and learn from them, while bugging them about how to do something. Unless, it is something that crosses the line of plagiarism or if you are in school, the honor code, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
posted by whoaali at 12:39 PM on December 14, 2007


I've done work-related internet research, and probably will do again. Sometimes it's because no one at my work really knows the answer to my question; sometimes it's because I've been told something that I'm not sure is really correct, but it's not politic to question the co-worker/supervisor, and I want to get a different take on it. Sometimes it's a cover-my-ass thing - like, I was taught how to do a thing a year ago, but don't do it regularly, and don't want to have to ask again how to do the thing.

Is knowledge some scarce resource we should hoard unless the person seeking it is pure of heart and motive?
posted by rtha at 12:40 PM on December 14, 2007


It's funny that someone asking "I need help on a homework assignment" is told, Do it yourself, but "I need help with a work assignment" is a fine question. Maybe because it seems the majority of us are done with school? Or perhaps the homework questions we do answer are being subtly hidden under the "I'm writing a book" umbrella?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:40 PM on December 14, 2007 [2 favorites]


In fact, I'm pretty proud that I don't [use AskMe when I'm in a pickle at work], but maybe that's my downfall.

Umm... Yes. Yes it is.

Honestly, what the hell are you on about? Is there some secret code of television production that involves solving all problems with one hand tied behind their back? Or are you concerned that by making public the Ancient Secrets Of The Fraternal Order Of Production Assistants she is devaluing them?

Seriously, you've just attacked the character of a random person in a public forum. You should apologize. Sincerely.
posted by tkolar at 12:43 PM on December 14, 2007 [1 favorite]


Wait, what's the problem?

No, seriously.
posted by milarepa at 12:43 PM on December 14, 2007


It's a bad callout, and your apology should have been more sincere.

Thirded.

Should this thread be closed before someone actually kicks spec80 in the nuts whatever sensitive bits are appropriate?
posted by languagehat at 12:43 PM on December 14, 2007


Jeez, I mean if we all posted call outs every time a specific user said something annoying...Oh. Wait.
posted by sneakin at 12:44 PM on December 14, 2007


Actually, this thread should go straight to MOVE ALONG, NOTHING TO SEE HERE-ville. Why should Elle Vator have to have this completely unmerited callout sullying her name?
posted by languagehat at 12:45 PM on December 14, 2007


It's funny that someone asking "I need help on a homework assignment" is told, Do it yourself, but "I need help with a work assignment" is a fine question.

"I need help on a homework assignment" is not necessarily told "Do it yourself". That's reserved for "Do my homework for me."
posted by tkolar at 12:46 PM on December 14, 2007


It's funny that someone asking "I need help on a homework assignment" is told, Do it yourself, but "I need help with a work assignment" is a fine question.

It's not funny at all. The point of a homework assignment for a class is to learn, which you do not do if other people do the work for you. The point of a JOB assigment is to achieve a specific end. It's result oriented, rather than process-oriented. Do you really not see the difference?
posted by dersins at 12:47 PM on December 14, 2007


languagehat wrote...


Actually, this thread should go straight to MOVE ALONG, NOTHING TO SEE HERE-ville. Why should Elle Vator have to have this completely unmerited callout sullying her name?


Seconded.
posted by tkolar at 12:47 PM on December 14, 2007


Do you really not see the difference?

I understand the difference, but I think there are internet forums where helping with homework might get to slide in every now and then. I think it's kind of funny we're so rabidly against it.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:48 PM on December 14, 2007 [1 favorite]


ThePinkSuperhero writes "It's funny that someone asking 'I need help on a homework assignment' is told, Do it yourself, but 'I need help with a work assignment' is a fine question. Maybe because it seems the majority of us are done with school? "

It's because homework is, in part, an evaluative exercise used by the assigning teacher or professor to judge the students performance and comprehension. Obtaining outside assistance distorts the value of the exercise and, in classes with a competitive grading scheme, puts the other students at a disadvantage. Work just needs to get done.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:48 PM on December 14, 2007


Sorry. Didn't see your clarification before posting. I think it's because there are a good number of educators here.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:49 PM on December 14, 2007


languagehat writes "Actually, this thread should go straight to MOVE ALONG, NOTHING TO SEE HERE-ville. Why should Elle Vator have to have this completely unmerited callout sullying her name?"

Yeah, I agree.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:51 PM on December 14, 2007


Isn't this what it's for?

I just don't think using AskMe as a resource is being resourceful.

This doesn't even make sense.

Myself, I'd use it for a doorstop if the damn antique monitor wasn't so heavy.

I have no problem with people using AskMe for homework either. Then again, I also don't have a problem with people using encyclopedias as a resource.
posted by cedar at 12:52 PM on December 14, 2007


I think it's because there are a good number of educators here.

That, too, I'm sure.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:52 PM on December 14, 2007 [1 favorite]


I think we should make colleges illegal. All you do there is ask people questions about how to do your future job better. All that stuff you found out in college? Someone else had to find it out by making mistakes and learning from them or asking the more experienced people that they work with for help.

spec80, I like you, but this callout is retarded.
posted by Afroblanco at 12:54 PM on December 14, 2007


What languagehat said.
posted by nowonmai at 12:55 PM on December 14, 2007


Hey, did I just post that after the thread was closed, or was it really bizarre timing?
posted by nowonmai at 12:56 PM on December 14, 2007


I think I found a bug.
posted by nowonmai at 12:56 PM on December 14, 2007


Best report it to the authorities, I guess.
posted by nowonmai at 12:57 PM on December 14, 2007


Actually, I think people are often willing to be helpful if someone has a homework project they want ideas for, but as has already been said, it's "do my homework for me" that's a problem. It's just like the difference between asking the hive mind for travel ideas and expecting them to act as your pro bono travel agent. Giving suggestions is different than actually doing the work.
posted by miss lynnster at 1:03 PM on December 14, 2007


This is now quite some time after closing, so yup.
posted by nowonmai at 1:11 PM on December 14, 2007


Almost forgot: Last Post!
posted by nowonmai at 1:12 PM on December 14, 2007


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