# If you don't understand a question, you probably don't have a valuable answer **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 9, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505 "2024-08-09T21:16:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/141 "2024-08-14T16:33:39Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Bujold is a national treasure. Surely you meant LMB is a galactic treasure… ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/142 "2024-08-14T16:42:07Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I agree, but you’re not talking about acronyms here. Yeah, no. I see three letters, and i have no Idea whether it’s a common acronym, an obscure acronym, the initials of something referenced in the thread, or if the poster is just the kind of person who makes up new acronyms on the spot. I’m treating them all the same: 1. maybe i don’t need to know to follow the sentence 2. maybe i can guess well enough from context 3. I’ll ask in the thread ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/143 "2024-08-14T16:44:00Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Bujold is a national treasure. Oh, and absolutely! ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/144 "2024-08-14T17:00:06Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > If someone asks, for example, how to clear their DNS cache in Windows 11, someone insisting that you explain what a DNS cache is probably doesn’t have the answer to that question, and the questioner shouldn’t have to feel the need to provide a remedial lesson in Domain Name Servers just to ask a simple question. And sometimes people neither remember nor care what the letters stand for. I couldn’t have told you what DNS means. Or even what that cache is for. But I’ve cleared it. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/145 "2024-08-14T17:01:21Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > I couldn’t have told you what DNS means. Or even what that cache is for. But I’ve cleared it. Sounds like you could have given a useful answer without: > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > insisting that you explain what a DNS cache is ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/146 "2024-08-14T17:38:11Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I see three letters, and i have no Idea whether it’s a common acronym, an obscure acronym, the initials of something referenced in the thread, or if the poster is just the kind of person who makes up new acronyms on the spot. Not to belabor this argument, but the point is that while you and other readers may not know the nature of the acronym, the **poster** knows, and since I thought we were discussing best practices for when a poster should or should not use acronyms, this is relevant. And I’m suggesting that posters shouldn’t use initials for other poster names or people’s names without explanation, because unlike very commonly known acronyms, a person’s initials aren’t something that Google is going to clarify for you. In fact, in general I’d say it’s poor practice to ever use initials when referring to a poster or a person’s real name because it can be confusing, and poster names are easily referenced in full just by using the “@” notation. In this regard, I’m on your side here! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/147 "2024-08-14T17:43:43Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > thought we were discussing best practices for when a poster should or should not use acronyms, this is relevant Nope. The topic of this thread assumes that if the reader can’t work out the acronym that reader should just leave, because they have nothing worthwhile to contribute. So that’s more or less what we are discussing, not when it’s okay to use acronyms. So we are discussing what to do when there’s an acronym and some reader doesn’t understand it. Should the reader be expected to Google? Is it okay if the reader is annoyed? Is it okay to ask in the thread? Does it reflect badly on the reader to ask? Is it thread shitting to ask? Does the “tone” of the ask matter? How should you respond if the reader does ask? Those are the relevant points. Not when it’s okay to use acronyms. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/148 "2024-08-14T17:55:07Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The topic of this thread assumes that if the reader can’t work out the acronym that reader should just leave, because they have nothing worthwhile to contribute. If contributing to answering a specific technical question, and the reader doesn’t understand the question or the field involved, then yes, the reader probably has nothing worthwile to contribute to answering that question. But as I have stated before, the fact that in this case it was an acronym that indicated that the reader didn’t understand the substance of the question does not mean that I started the thread _about_ acronyms. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/149 "2024-08-14T18:01:06Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The topic of this thread assumes that if the reader can’t work out the acronym that reader should just leave, because they have nothing worthwhile to contribute. So that’s more or less what we are discussing, not when it’s okay to use acronyms. Well, yes, the thread has a broader scope, but best practices for the use of acronyms is kind of a subtext to the discussion, as indicated by your own questions and this snippet from the OP: > someone asks if AGI is on the way soon or is being overhyped, and someone posting complaining that AGI wasn’t explained to them. I’m not going to venture opinions on all your questions beyond the general opinions I’ve already expressed – (a) I think that **in general** acronyms should be spelled out on first use, followed by the acronym in parentheses – e.g.- “Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS)”, unless arguably they’re extremely well known in the subject matter context, and (b) they generally shouldn’t be used as shorthand for poster names or real-life names. Just my opinion. I think the OP has some reasonable points but is a bit harsh on those less familiar with the subject matter. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/150 "2024-08-26T16:16:22Z")
I had to pause before realizing that AGI meant Artificial General Intelligence. Posts and especially OPs should be constructed to favor interested lurkers: this is a general interest message board. That said, this isn’t our day job. So posting OAs (obscure acronyms) is far from the worst sin. By way of advice: **Bookmark the acronym and abbreviation dictionary: it is superior to google**. > **[Abbreviations and acronyms dictionary](https://www.acronymfinder.com/)** > > Acronym Finder is the largest and most trusted database of over 4 million acronyms and abbreviations. What does an abbreviation stands for? The answer is here Interested lurkers who think the term is an OA can helpfully reply something like, "In case there are others as ignorant as I am, acronym finder says that AGI refers to “Artificial General Intelligence”. Other times, the reply might consist of something like, “Help me out. OA is” On Air? Overall? Order of Avalon? Open Access? On or About? Original Article? Something else? > [@wolfpup](#): > > In fact, in general I’d say it’s poor practice to ever use initials when referring to a poster or a person’s real name because it can be confusing, and poster names are easily referenced in full just by using the “@” notation. Good tip, one I had not thought of. I’ll add that when you @ someone, they receive a notification. Maybe that’s good! But sometimes it’s not what you want. So I might just use @ as a reference tool. I’ll probably continue to refer to Left Hand of Dorkness as LHoD though: his handle is mouthful. Hm, not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/151 "2024-08-26T16:33:38Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Posts and especially OPs should be constructed to favor interested lurkers Should they? It is wrong to ask a specific technical question answerable to only a subset of the forum? You should phrase a question about Powerpoint having a flowchart template (to pick the current top of the list post in GQ) so that it favors people who don’t know if Powerpoint has a flowchart template? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/152 "2024-08-26T16:40:51Z")
Look at my most recent question in FQ: > [@Is there some idea of a largest likely intact single crystal diamond on the surface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-idea-of-a-largest-likely-intact-single-crystal-diamond-on-the-surface/1006094): > > Triggered by this find, but I’ve wondered about it for a while. Is there thoughts on if internal stresses of diamonds brought to the low-pressure frigid surface might cause diamonds above a certain size to shatter? None of the largest found diamonds are especially large (this one is a little more than a pound) and none of the largest ones I jnow of are a neat octohedron. Nobody has answered it, which is disappointing, but that just means that nobody that has read it has the answer, and that nobody has lept in with useless non-answers like complaining that I didn’t explain what “internal stresses” are or going off on some tangent on DeBeers or something. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/153 "2024-08-26T16:56:02Z")
You can “@”-reference someone who has a long handle, and then delete the “@” if you don’t want to bother them with a notification. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/154 "2024-08-26T21:11:03Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Should they? It is wrong to ask a specific technical question answerable to only a subset of the forum? You should phrase a question about Powerpoint having a flowchart template (to pick the current top of the list post in GQ) so that it favors people who don’t know if Powerpoint has a flowchart template? The OP should be constructed to give all interested readers a sense of the underlying context. That doesn’t rule out questions; it does affect the framing of the question. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/155 "2024-08-26T21:25:11Z")
To any doctor, OA is osteoarthritis. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/156 "2024-08-26T22:33:42Z")
Over at Acronym Finder, osteoarthritis ranks #2 in the Science and Medicine category, losing to " [On Air (TV, radio)](http://www.thefreedictionary.com/On+Air)". Among all definitions it is ranked number 8. For AGI the overall top 5 in order are, Analytical Graphics, Inc., Adjusted Gross Income, Agility, Artificial General Intelligence, and American Geological Institute. I’m not convinced we should trust their rankings; I am claiming that the world is wide and the same acronym triggers different concepts in different people. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/157 "2024-08-27T01:41:23Z")
And to an accountant the OA would be the Official Assignee ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/158 "2024-08-27T01:43:33Z")
Say what?? In which country? ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/159 "2024-08-27T01:52:01Z")
New Zealand Cite here: [https://fyi.org.nz/request/23552/response/95413/attach/html/4/NZ%20Police%20Acronyms.pdf.html](https://fyi.org.nz/request/23552/response/95413/attach/html/4/NZ%20Police%20Acronyms.pdf.html) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505/160 "2024-08-27T02:04:58Z")
For me the OA was a show I watched on Netflix. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-dont-understand-a-question-you-probably-dont-have-a-valuable-answer/1005505.md?page=9)