# Partially right is totally wrong **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 6, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701 "2013-12-06T20:00:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/61 "2013-12-07T17:20:19Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Taking the OP at face value, I also disagree with the hypothetical. Here’s a thread I started: [Help me find a comedian - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=683737) > > Notice I got some of the parameters wrong - I misremembered. Disregarding my failed memory, I was provided the correct answer by someone who gave an answer that failed to hit on all the touchstones I provided. > > I submit that that is far more common on this board than the OPs supposition the question askers get every other detail exactly right. Taking the OP at face value, maybe I should have titled it “In some cases, partially right is totally wrong”, because that would better fit what I am talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/62 "2013-12-07T17:25:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Have you considered starting a thread titled “Is it right for people to correct me when I don’t know jack shit?” There are no “Czarcasm’s rules”, just preferences in certain situations which I have described repeatedly. In other situations where the requirements are fuzzy or my memory has been shown to be wrong, those preferences do not apply, of course, so can the “Czarcasm is right 100% of the time!” cheapshots be put aside, please? I’m sorry, I thought the title of this thread was “Partilly right is totally wrong.” I provided an example where I gave very specific “facts” as I remembered them. The answer was partially right based on the “facts.” As it turns out the answer was not totally wrong, but was instead totally correct. Turns out my “facts” were close enough that the first (non joke) answer was correct even though it did not match several of the “facts” that I provided. As far as “Is it right for people to correct me when I don’t know jack shit?”… that is my assumption in the majority of the threads… which is why we provide answers that may be only partially correct. ETA… your post above wasn’t there when I started typing. If it would have been titled that it would have been correct and we wouldn’t be on page 2 now… and how much fun would that have been?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/63 "2013-12-07T17:34:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Have you considered starting a thread titled “Is it right for people to correct me when I don’t know jack shit?” There are no “Czarcasm’s rules”, just preferences in certain situations which I have described repeatedly. In other situations where the requirements are fuzzy or my memory has been shown to be wrong, those preferences do not apply, of course, so can the “Czarcasm is right 100% of the time!” cheapshots be put aside, please? The problem is, we can’t know if your memory was incorrect before we show it to be incorrect. In **White SIFL** ’s example, how would someone know that his memory of the comedian being “a big guy with wispy blonde hair” was incorrect before someone gave the correct answer? If no one had posted unless they had an answer that fulfilled all the criteria, the question would never have been answered. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/64 "2013-12-07T17:50:36Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I’m sorry, I thought the title of this thread was “Partilly right is totally wrong.” > > I provided an example where I gave very specific “facts” as I remembered them. The answer was partially right based on the “facts.” As it turns out the answer was not totally wrong, but was instead totally correct. Turns out my “facts” were close enough that the first (non joke) answer was correct even though it did not match several of the “facts” that I provided. I believe that in your post you said > [@](#): > > I’m not even going to watch this to see if it may be what I am thinking of. It might still be possible that you _did_ have all your facts correct, there is a movie out there the even better fits your description, and that **Justin\_Bailey** _didn’t_ give you what you were looking for. We don’t know for sure until you confirm it by watching at least partially. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/65 "2013-12-07T17:52:30Z")
Well, it seems the OP is partially right, which by his own standard, makes him totally wrong. You know who else was totally wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/66 "2013-12-07T18:00:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The problem is, we can’t know if your memory was incorrect before we show it to be incorrect. In **White SIFL** ’s example, how would someone know that his memory of the comedian being “a big guy with wispy blonde hair” was incorrect before someone gave the correct answer? If no one had posted unless they had an answer that fulfilled all the criteria, the question would never have been answered. In my first example, where a person of a certain height, certain hair color and certain profession was asked for, the hypothetical answer given was for someone with red hair. Now, if my memory is so faulty that I am mistaken as to his general height and job description, then there’s a good chance that I got the hair color wrong too, leaving us where, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/67 "2013-12-07T18:01:31Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Well, it seems the OP is partially right, which by his own standard, makes him totally wrong. > You know who else was totally wrong? Hitler? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/68 "2013-12-07T18:12:01Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > In my first example, where a person of a certain height, certain hair color and certain profession was asked for, the hypothetical answer given was for someone with red hair. Now, if my memory is so faulty that I am mistaken as to his general height and job description, then there’s a good chance that I got the hair color wrong too, leaving us where, exactly? With no answer, which is exactly where you are if no one replies at all. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/69 "2013-12-07T18:12:55Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I’m looking for a film from the late 70’s early 80’s about this tall handsome Air Force pilot who at the end comes into his girlfriend’s office in full dress uniform and literally sweeps her off her feet and carries her out as the others in the office cheer. > > Any idea what I may be thinking of or who this actor is? Richard Gere in [An Officer and a Gentleman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084434/?ref_=nv_sr_1), 1982. Except he’s Navy, not Air Force. Or maybe you were thinking of [Flashdance](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085549/?ref_=nv_sr_1) 1983, except it’s dancing, not flying jets, nobody is literally swept of their feet, leotard instead of uniform, not that tall, and he’s a she. But the date’s about right. I hope that’s helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/70 "2013-12-07T18:17:01Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I’m looking for a film from the late 70’s early 80’s about this tall handsome Air Force pilot who at the end comes into his girlfriend’s office in full dress uniform and literally sweeps her off her feet and carries her out as the others in the office cheer. > > Any idea what I may be thinking of or who this actor is? [Citizen Kane](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGYJyeX-oMc)? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/71 "2013-12-07T18:17:08Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > With no answer, which is exactly where you are if no one replies at all. So one’s first assumption is that the person asking the question doesn’t know what she/he _really_ wants, making any answer acceptable? I have already stated that proposing that some elements of the question might be in error would be alright. Is giving _any_ answer better than giving no answer at all, or does it encourage others to do the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/72 "2013-12-07T18:24:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Hitler? No, too short. Guy I’m thinking of is tall with a little tiny mustache on his upper lip. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/73 "2013-12-07T18:26:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Czarcasm** : > > But that is still no excuse for thinking that providing an answer that only partially fits the question is of worth when an answer that fits the whole question hasn’t even been sought out first. What makes you think it hasn’t been sought out? Would it appease you if people instead started their posts by saying “Hm, I can’t think of anything that’s an exact match. But how about…”? ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/74 "2013-12-07T18:30:24Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Richard Gere in [An Officer and a Gentleman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084434/?ref_=nv_sr_1), 1982. Except he’s Navy, not Air Force. Hah… this is hilarious… that is actually the movie with the scene I was thinking of, but I thought it was Top Gun. Can’t say I’m a huge fan of either and haven’t seen them since they originally aired. Just shows that “close guesses” are in fact helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/75 "2013-12-07T18:35:18Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Hah… this is hilarious… that is actually the movie with the scene I was thinking of, but I thought it was Top Gun. Can’t say I’m a huge fan of either and haven’t seen them since they originally aired. > > Just shows that “close guesses” are in fact helpful. Yeah, An Officer and a Gentleman is clearly the right answer as it ends the way you describe with the full dress uniform and the carrying out. But every other detail matches both films. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/76 "2013-12-07T19:11:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So one’s first assumption is that the person asking the question doesn’t know what she/he _really_ wants, making any answer acceptable? I have already stated that proposing that some elements of the question might be in error would be alright. Is giving _any_ answer better than giving no answer at all, or does it encourage others to do the same thing? I think it’s accepting the possibility that memory is faulty at times and if you have an answer that’s close it’s worth shot. It’s not assuming the person “doesn’t know what he really wants”, but including the possibility the person might be a bit wrong in some detail and if the your answer is wrong, no harm, no foul. ETA: Of course, if the person is offering an answer in which the majority of the events don’t fit or are waaaay of base, that is a different issue. I think the appropriateness of the slightly wrong answer is found in the degree of “wrongness”. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/77 "2013-12-07T19:40:28Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So one’s first assumption is that the person asking the question doesn’t know what she/he _really_ wants, making any answer acceptable? I have already stated that proposing that some elements of the question might be in error would be alright. Is giving _any_ answer better than giving no answer at all, or does it encourage others to do the same thing? Well, I think people ought to give the best answer they can think of, not just any answer. What constitutes a “best” answer is going to vary according to the abilities of the person answering the question, of course, but even a poor answer can help spark additional memories about the original subject, inspire interesting side discussions, or at the very least keep the thread alive a little bit longer, increasing the chances that a person who has the correct answer will see it. The example you posited in your OP is hard to defend, but then, you also went out of your way to construct the worst possible example of this kind of response. If you only want to argue from your hyperbole, that’s up to you, but I don’t think very useful discussions come when you only argue from the extremes. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/78 "2013-12-07T20:58:26Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Hah… this is hilarious… that is actually the movie with the scene I was thinking of, but I thought it was Top Gun. Can’t say I’m a huge fan of either and haven’t seen them since they originally aired. > > Just shows that “close guesses” are in fact helpful. I thought you might have intentionally put in a false clue (Air Force instead of Navy) to conflate _Top Gun_ and _Officer and a Gentleman_, so as to provide a subtle counterexample to **Czarcasm** ’s hypothetical. The fact that you did so accidentally is an even better example that **Czarcasm** ’s assumption – questioners know exactly what they are looking for – is faulty. So the correct answer to your query would have been that there is no such film. But that wouldn’t have been a helpful answer. \*An Officer and a Gentleman \* is the answer you were _looking for_, even if it wasn’t the answer to the question you actually _asked_. > [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Yeah, An Officer and a Gentleman is clearly the right answer as it ends the way you describe with the full dress uniform and the carrying out. But every other detail matches both films. Except the Air Force/Navy thing, and the fact that Tom Cruise is not tall: 5’ 7". (Although, as it happens, Gere is only average, at 5’ 10".) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/79 "2013-12-07T21:01:27Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > There is a common type of thread on this board. Someone will give a description of a movie plot and ask what movie it is. A long discussion will ensue in which nobody can figure out any movie that really satisfies the description. Finally someone will suggest that the OP has combined the plots of several different movies and some random fantasies of their own. This will turn out to be the case. [Similar example from a couple days ago](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=709675), looking for a babyfaced actor who plays big tough bad guys, non-major roles. One of the clarifications in post #3 after rejecting a suggestion is that he has “kind of a perfect circle face.” The answer? [An extremely long/oval-faced guy](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0243806/). ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701/80 "2013-12-07T21:03:51Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Except the Air Force/Navy thing, and the fact that Tom Cruise is not tall: 5’ 7". (Although, as it happens, Gere is only average, at 5’ 10".) Whatever their official designation, Top Gun had jets and that means Air Force. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partially-right-is-totally-wrong/675701.md?page=5)