Tom, I just don't see that conclusion in Zac's post at all. What I hear is asking the question "does it do a disservice to get too detailed and leaving nothing or next to nothing to be learned or discovered?" I think if one is asking about that level of minutia, then perhaps it is a service because they are new and don't know. They need a little hand holding until they get some basic experience under their belt. If someone asked where to camp at a particular lake, there are ways of pointing them in the right direction without picking out their spot for them, ie. lots of decent camping on the south side of the lake or a bit above. Of course, it's a different question if someone asks if there is good camping at a particular lake. They may be merely unfamiliar with the area and don't want to pick a bummer of a lake to attempt to camp.Tom_H wrote: Mav may indeed not handhold to the point of telling people exact tent sites to select, but OTOH, no one has gone to the great cautionary lengths that he has to prevent catastrophes as well as to search, rescue, and recover those who have become lost. The way you held him up as an example and then extend a conclusion that all of us need to follow his example of NOT assisting people with information.......well......I really found that troubling.
Mav is very good at giving intel at the level of the question and questioner. I think it is what many of us strive to do. With so many social media inspired newbies, it would be a disservice not to give them the hand holding they need until they get their feet wet. I'd rather see someone succeed with their hand held, than to have them suffer because they had to figure it out on their own. Those who come here and ask questions are already operating a step above the crowd. They are researching. Gotta learn to walk before you can run and we all had our hand held for that adventure.
