Question

Guys,

Are we answering machines? Are we really nothing more than number-chunking madmen? Are you some type of computer on which others dump their problems for you to solve primum quam primum and make sure you show your work?

Really?

Take a look at yourself again; see how many people are following you; see how many badges you have; look at the cute little colors you are now sporting. Is it because you hand-fed others out of their misery (and put them in a worst place whilst) instead of helping them make good use of their brains?

I am tired of seeing people ask: “Please, help me solve x + 5

Answer 1

I am tired of seeing people ask: “Please, help me solve x + 5 = 8,” and immediately see a guy with 10,000 badges post: “3.”

Are you kidding me?

Why don’t you instead ask him what in the world it is that he doesn’t understand?

Then another guys follows with: “Well, you can solve this via modular forms.”

What?

If the asker cannot, for the sake of his academic career, solve such a trivial problem as “x + 5 = 8,” then how in the world is he going to understand what a modular form is or what the Taniyama-Shimura conjecture is?

Stop pampering people and teach them how to do it themselves. Remember that if you give them the answer, then they’re going to drop everything you said and chunk the numbers into their notebooks/online forms.

Answer 2

Sincerely,

Susanne

Answer 3

she has a point

Answer 4

Susanne, you look cute when you're angry