Thread: Why to give h e l p?

I am just wondering why do you guys give help to people you don't even know. I mean... what do you gain? Nothing. It's just a waste of time....( Aren't there more interesting things in your life to do...)

hey buddy i cant help you on this question.. I have better things to do in my life

This line has been on every one of my websites since my first cobbled together effort in 97. It hope it explains why I do it.

>>>
Sometime today, be unnecessarily, and unexpectedly nice to a stranger. When everyone starts doing that, life might just get a little better.
adrianxw - 1997.
<<<

I do it for a gain of knowledge. I do it to help people who are looking for knowledge(well, it used to be more of the knowledge bit, but I got busy with life, so, I mostly BS on here now). It's nice to meet a couple of on-line buddies on here who have similar tastes to you and know how you feel with all the computer related things, such as:

My mom - 'Well, he's just like all of the IT people I know, they've delt with computers for a long time, and it was almost a natural thing for them when they first tried that they thing other people should be able to pick it up like nothing too'

(Besides all my relatives thinking they can get me to fix their computer for free! Figure it out yourself, pay me 1/4 the going rate, or the full rate of a professional IT. YOUR choice.)

>I mean... what do you gain? Nothing.
Not true. We gain the satisfaction of making a difference. We help other people while at the same time improving ourselves.

We unconsciously follow the "pay it forward" rule. If I help you, you're more inclined to help someone else later on, and they're more inclined to do the same. This keeps the community thriving and constantly improving by sharing the wealth. It's OpenSource for the brain.

>>what do you gain?<<

'tis fun. Some of the (perceived) personalities are quite amusing/entertaining. It's also quite satisfying to see someone work through a problem themselves, regardless of whether or not i've had any input. Also, it's a good test of what you know yourself to actually churn out an answer to someone's question whether or not you actually post that answer (or the question has already been answered). In short, there is reciprocity; it's not entirely altruistic. Anyway, I just go for the easy questions.

>>It's just a waste of time....<<

It's my time to use or abuse as I see fit.

( Aren't there more interesting things in your life to do...)<<

Ah, but there's only so much breakfast cereal I can eat at one sitting.

Disclaimer: Amateur/hobbyist perspective!

About the gains, or test of your knowledge, or learning or tell it however you want, you can also gain, but without answering. For example, you see a question. You try to answer it and you finally have found the answer. That's all! You have already gain( that's for sure ). But after this, why to post a reply with the answer. You won't gain anything more by posting this reply.

About andrianwx's quote:
Well, that would be very good in our real life out there. Not here, behind your computer. It would definetely work, but not here. That's what i think, because in my view the internet is a untrue world - nothing to rely on.

The best way to prove you know something and to be sure you'll remember is by teaching it.

Life is not all about gain. I want to make my life as fun and full as possible, yes, but that is not everything.

I help people simply because, I wish I had a board like this when I was learning programming. Spending [litterally] days looking at help files and crashing the computer to try to solve every simple little problem. I learned by constant trying. I didnt have the internet, or even any books. I knew nobody that programmed. So I help people with their headaches for 'nothing in return'. I dont learn anything, but I feel good doing it.

Originally posted by kermi3
The best way to prove you know something and to be sure you'll remember is by teaching it.

It's also a very good test of knowledge, as other people have pointed out.

If you think you really understand something, very well, and your fairly confident about that subject. Try and explain it to somebody who doesn't know much about it, yet has half a brain. If you can get them to understand it fairly easily, then you not only understand that subject very well(since you can explain it 50 different ways), but you're also a good teacher, and smart in other areas. You're simply highly intelligent as you can relay information VIA articulate descriptions, pictures, going down the intelligence food chain and making it easy to understand for everyday joes, etc. etc.

money?:

>>> Well, that would be very good in our real life out there.

I try to do it in the real world and on the various boards I contribute to. You asked why, I've told you why I do. It's my way.

money, I think the bigger question is "Why wouldn't you help someone?" The fact is most of humanity helps people. This is a topic we know about, something that we can talk about. If someone comes here looking for help, its no different that if an old lady needed help crossing the street. Would you not help with that? Or do you have better things to do with your time?

>>You won't gain anything more by posting this reply.<<

On the contrary, it may be that your own assumptions about a problem and its solution are incorrect. By posting you invite criticism/review (hopefuly constructive) by your peers/betters. Occasionally, it may be you who has the 'right' answer while everyone else is 'wrong' - in that case you'll be saving everyone, including the original poster, a big, fat hassle by posting that answer.

>>its no different that if an old lady needed help crossing the street. Would you not help with that?<<

Certainly not; you take one old lady across the street and the next thing there are hundreds of them saying,"Me too! Me too!" - it can take hours to get away from a busy junction.