Linux forums are full of questions solvable by a 10‑second search

People are exposed to Linux through streaming videos, and social media (*cough* Reddit karma farms). They get instructions to install Linux but aren't taught how to troubleshoot it (like feeding a man fish instead of teaching them to fish.) -And I often blame the person asking for help because I would've asked along the lines of: 'how can I find this information myself'?

Stupid answers lead to more stupid questions!

I had a sister teach me how to shut Windows down properly and show me a search engine. -I've since upgraded, built, and repaired computers w/o needing to further impose on a human.

A common response was "RTFM" when even power users often forgo the man pages. -How often did we see "try tealdeer", or "use **** search engine" (with link), or an explanation of how to filter the man page output? Do we ever see; "what part of the Arch wiki are you getting hung up on?" -And it's not like AI/LLM wouldn't provide better/ faster help.

-There are some obscure cases that searches can't handle, in which forums aren't going to help either. Because more than likely: they're doing the search for you!

I've gotten flack for telling people that if you don't know how to use a search engine; you aren't ready for Linux.

-No one should have to wait around to fix an issue like no sound, no wifi, or no bluetooth. -Victims are created when you recruit people that don't even know some basics.

Reddit rewards bad questions and answers. They're more posts, and engagement (more ad revenue). -What do you get for quietly solving your own problem (aside from saved time?)

A shift has occurred. Loonixtards of yore would use "RTFM", and "search first" as a response. Modern Loonixtards attempt to be welcoming, discourage gatekeeping, and posit that every question is valid.

So, they spoon feed easily searchable answers to avoid being labeled toxic (though that's just one way they were). They're basically training users to not be able to help themselves.

When I started using Linux, I was reading forum posts that came up in a search for solutions. What I noticed was that the more a solution was posted, the more diluted, corrupted, or improperly dated it got. -Can you see why the Q&A bullshit bothered me?