Many of you know I've been answering all kinds of woodworking and tool questions for many years. This is what I'm noticing lately that has me a bit uncertain on how to respond to certain types of questions.
People that learned on YouTube, which is a short way of saying, no basic knowledge or lack of depth of woodworking knowledge.
I know everyone has their opinion of YT, as do I. I believe it's a great tool that can definitely help people learn new things but it's not panning out that way for the most part.
IMO, it's weighted too much on entertainment (views) and not enough on content (substance)
Far too many (a majority) of people who are asking questions on forums, are asking things they shouldn't be because of this, I'll explain.

Think of woodworking skill as a 1-10 scale.
People are asking questions about number 6 when the skipped over 1-5 or only saw it on YT. This is when you hear the voice in your head screaming, learn the basics. If you're asking something at number 6 level, you should know everything up to that point thoroughly.
To say they are in over their head is an understatement. Many times these people get frustrated when you respond that, you can't answer their question OR no one does answer their question because there is so much to cover it's not practical.

So, how do you deal with these people?

I know sometimes you need to know how to build a clock and other times you just want to know what time it is.
That being said:
I actually had a back and forth with someone once, trying to tease out of them how much they knew about a certain subject. I was trying to get them to realize things were more complex than they had thought and that you actually needed to know A, B and C before considering D. They ultimately became frustrated and said to me, "if you're so smart, just give me the answer"
There was no actual desire to learn anything, just simply provide a desired result.

Glenn Roberts wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 9:14pm:


But they are all pros on YT 

Amen!  Too many "experts" not enough teachers.  I commented on a Youtuber video once and got creamed by the viewers.  She was a good turner but there was no commentary, no explanation of what & why she was doing what she was doing, just music.  I said she needed to talk about her process, turn it into a teaching moment.  Do a voice over if nothing else, etc.  otherwise all there is is a "Oh look at me turn!" vanity video. 

I always point my daughter to the channel  See Jane Drill.  Leah Bolden does a great job of teaching in her videos on home repair.  Explaining things in a understandable manner, even down to the different screw drivers.

David Moeller wrote on May 16^th, 2023 at 2:17pm: