Disturbing trend...

[jglass38]

I have noticed something recently that is a little upsetting. I will preface this by saying, this thread is not aimed at anyone in particular, whether on this forum or any of the many others out there.

Lately there seem to be a lot of instant "experts" popping up who freely give out advice on the keeping, breeding and illnesses of reptiles/amphibians/fish/pet rocks. Before you give advice, ask yourself whether it is just regurgitated information that you may have heard from Joe Blow on another site or whether you have confirmed it through your own practices or have first hand knowledge that it works. Some information I have seen given has ranged from partial truth to completely false and potentially dangerous.

Everyone is here to learn and grow as keepers, breeders, etc and it only makes sense that we make sure that the new people get the best possible advice to help them along the way.

The fact that this site has stickies and FAQs is great and sometimes it is better to just point a new users to that information rather than to try to answer a question that you may not be completely clear on to begin with.



Jamie

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

Hrm...

I really don't see the issue. This is a discussion forum. There is a difference if someone says "I heard, or I think, or I imagine", it sets the tone of their post as conversational moreso than 100% factual you can take it to the bank.

It would be one thing if a lot of people were giving bad information, and no one was negating it, but most threads where someone makes an inaccurate supposition they are often reamed thoroughly by other members putting them in their place and correcting their information @ Adam


Some people are experts, and others are noobs, but there has to be an in between somewhere. I have never bred a female, but if I hear someone saying what size they should breed a female at, I would say about 500 grams per foot, 3 feet, 1500 grams... only because I've heard this 100 times..

just my 2 coppers

Edit; Summary, I don't think first hand knowledge should be a pre-req for giving advice, as long as you acknowledge the source of your information...

[jglass38]

Hrm...

I really don't see the issue. This is a discussion forum. There is a difference if someone says "I heard, or I think, or I imagine", it sets the tone of their post as conversational moreso than 100% factual you can take it to the bank.

It would be one thing if a lot of people were giving bad information, and no one was negating it, but most threads where someone makes an inaccurate supposition they are often reamed thoroughly by other members putting them in their place and correcting their information @ Adam


Some people are experts, and others are noobs, but there has to be an in between somewhere. I have never bred a female, but if I hear someone saying what size they should breed a female at, I would say about 500 grams per foot, 3 feet, 1500 grams... only because I've heard this 100 times..

just my 2 coppers

Edit; Summary, I don't think first hand knowledge should be a pre-req for giving advice, as long as you acknowledge the source of your information...

I am not slamming those who come here and question something they have heard, that is what this forum is here for. But when someone asks advice and a person chimes in with an answer, then their tone is no longer conversational, but suggests a level of expertise. Nobody should have to put anyone in their place for giving incorrect or partiallly incorrect info. That is kind of what I meant by first hand knowledge that something works. I don't mind someone giving advice if it is from a reputable source but far too many people repeat advice from unknown or untrusted sources such as Jimmy in his basement (or admins from other boards that make up their own theories on BP heating requirements )

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I am not slamming those who come here and question something they have heard, that is what this forum is here for. But when someone asks advice and a person chimes in with an answer, then their tone is no longer conversational, but suggests a level of expertise. Nobody should have to put anyone in their place for giving incorrect or partiallly incorrect info. That is kind of what I meant by first hand knowledge that something works. I don't mind someone giving advice if it is from a reputable source but far too many people repeat advice from unknown or untrusted sources such as Jimmy in his basement (or admins from other boards that make up their own theories on BP heating requirements )

Can you give some examples, real or illustrated, on people doing this, and it causing harm?

IE, I see someone making a post, Why is my snakes belly pink!! Here is a picture

Noninformed: That's belly rot, you need to clean out all the wounds with alcohol and then give the snake a bath in tequiila, and then put salt to help with the healing

Original poster: Oh ok! *goes and does that*

I would imagine the OP would want confirmation first, preferably from a long term member with a good reputation. I don't see the Noninformed persons post as being harmful as much as ignorant, and Im sure that wherever they drug up that crappy info, they would be told they are wrong, and that really the snake is just preparing to shed...

curious as to real examples on these forums where bad advice , led to problems, when the OP took a thoughtful and responsible aproach to gaining the information they were requesting.

[Razaiel]

(or admins from other boards that make up their own theories on BP heating requirements )

Oh yes, that forum is a VERY dangerous place to be for BP information. And it all stems from the top.

[Ginevive]

On this and other forums, I always look at the date the poster joined when I ask a question and I get an answer. Not that it always means they're an expert, but i figure they got their good rating from somewhere. Usually if someone asks something (like, say, "can I keep a BP in a fish tank?" and if I have experience doing this, I will answer like "in my experience..."
It is pretty bad when people pop up out of nowhere and start spouting off false info; I think that the core members here have a basic agreement on BP care. All we can do is to correct the wrongdoers and give them a bad point, I guess.

[frankykeno]

Good points made Jamie. It's so hard though Gin to go by dates. You could look at some of our members that in reality have only a year or two of time keeping BP's, which isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things, but give excellent advice based on either their own experience, talking with breeders or good solid researching skills.

Personally in the end I think this forum regulates itself pretty well. I also believe firmly that the person asking the question needs to have some common sense. If you believe the first thing you read or hear and run off half-cocked to follow advise from who knows who online without confirming that information is solid, there is only so much anyone can do for you or your snake. We have to expect that people of any age, that want to take a living creature into their homes, should have at least some skills.

Jamie's concern is one I share. That some newcomers will take any advice as "golden" and some of it won't be great advice or based on real time experience. It's a worry and thanks Jamie for bringing it up for discussion.

[jglass38]

Can you give some examples, real or illustrated, on people doing this, and it causing harm?

IE, I see someone making a post, Why is my snakes belly pink!! Here is a picture

Noninformed: That's belly rot, you need to clean out all the wounds with alcohol and then give the snake a bath in tequiila, and then put salt to help with the healing

Original poster: Oh ok! *goes and does that*

I would imagine the OP would want confirmation first, preferably from a long term member with a good reputation. I don't see the Noninformed persons post as being harmful as much as ignorant, and Im sure that wherever they drug up that crappy info, they would be told they are wrong, and that really the snake is just preparing to shed...

curious as to real examples on these forums where bad advice , led to problems, when the OP took a thoughtful and responsible aproach to gaining the information they were requesting.

As I said, I am not going to single anyone out. You could do some research and find the information in a minute

Also, I mentioned that it wasn't just this forum.

[jglass38]

Good points made Jamie. It's so hard though Gin to go by dates. You could look at some of our members that in reality have only a year or two of time keeping BP's, which isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things, but give excellent advice based on either their own experience, talking with breeders or good solid researching skills.

Personally in the end I think this forum regulates itself pretty well. I also believe firmly that the person asking the question needs to have some common sense. If you believe the first thing you read or hear and run off half-cocked to follow advise from who knows who online without confirming that information is solid, there is only so much anyone can do for you or your snake. We have to expect that people of any age, that want to take a living creature into their homes, should have at least some skills.

Jamie's concern is one I share. That some newcomers will take any advice as "golden" and some of it won't be great advice or based on real time experience. It's a worry and thanks Jamie for bringing it up for discussion.

Good post Jo! I didn't start this thread for any other reason than to help the community and those who come here for assistance. We spend a lot of time here being silly and funny (or sometimes not so funny), but the truth is, a lot of people come here everyday looking for guidance. Every effort should be made to make sure they get the right information.

[kavmon]

imo, NOTHING will equal expierence and first hand knowledge... this is how we learn and evolve.



i.e. i don't know anything about flying planes, if i read several books or participated in aviation forums. do i give out flying advice? NO


vaughn