Poll: Am I the only one sick of being told ot "Google it." when asking about ANYTHING?

[Vegosiux]

If you've been told "just google it" enough that you've become sick of the phrase, then chances are you're asking too many questions that could easily be answered by Google.
Short descriptions are hard to come up with on the fly, if the other person has gone out of his way to give the initial information, is it so much to ask for the other person to look it up?

I maybe a bit biased, I often chat with a guy who will constantly ask for more detailed information on subjects that we're discussing, when I'm on the other end having to look up something to provide a correct answer then I normally just tell him to look it up.

Just google it and pretend you know it all from the top of your head! And when they go "You googled that, didn't you", you can either say "Well, one of us had to.../Google's awesome, you should try it some time" or "Nah, I knew that."; depending on whether you'd rather look smart or hammer a point home. Win-win!

 

[lunavixen]

It's a circumstantial thing, if you're asking about something simple that has a relatively concrete answer on something like a forum or youtube (like asking for a definition of something or a certain number like the population of somewhere) it'd be a lot faster to just look the information up on your own instead of waiting for someone to reply to you. However, if you're talking to someone in real time (or it's a complicated question) and they're asking, then yeah, fine i'll explain it.

It's not like googling takes any effort, you don't even have to type anything anymore just highlight "Googolplex", right-click and click "Search on Google..." and you're set.

However as with most things it does depend on the circumstances obviously.

I didn't realise the right click had that option actually, I always go into a new tab, well, I learned something today.

 

[Agayek]

I'm I the ONLY one that thinks this is rude behavior? If you were talking to someone in the flesh and they asked you about something, would you shunt them off and say "Oh go look it up in a library/online."? I believe this has a LOT to do with the "disconnect" people feel while communicating online at times. They don't treat it with the same reasoning that they're talking to a flesh and blood person with emotions for some reason. It's infuriating and downright rude if you ask me.

As a general rule of thumb, it's not rude at all. If you're looking for specific, widely known, and objective information without much in the way of nuance (such as: how tall is the Empire State Building? what is Mythbusters about? what does "defenestration" mean? etc), then you very much do need to sit down, shut up, and google the stupid thing instead of being a colossally lazy sack of shit and demanding someone else do it for you.

That said, requests for more nuanced information, somewhat obscure trivia, putting a name to half-remembered images/sounds, expanding on previously provided information, and similar things (such as: Why is there such a kerfluffle over GAME_JAM? What's the name of that song that starts with "DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUH-NUN"? etc) should be treated as valid questions and answered accordingly.

 

[BanicRhys]

I cannot count how many times I've Googled for an answer to a question, only to find forum posts in which the OP has been told to "Google it".

 

[Spider RedNight]

I think it's a cheap answer to go to for things that have an easy response.

Me being me, whether someone tells me about something or not, I have a tendency to "google it" ANYWAY because usually a brief description of what I'm wanting to learn about doesn't cut it. I don't mind being told to "google" something unless I do and it IS an easy question, in which case I just have an "excuse" to give someone a hard time.

That being said, I'll often offer a description and if I feel like I'm not explaining it sufficiently enough, I'll suggest they google it if they want to learn more because I really suck at words

 

[trollnystan]

I'm constantly telling my friend to google the information she wants herself because I don't see why I should do it for her when she's sitting at a computer and I'm not. Yes, I have my smartphone out, but I'm using it to talk to you dammit! DIYFS!

So yeah. If I don't know the answer to what you're asking, I'm going to tell you to go google it. And I'm not going to take offence if someone tells me to do the same.

(However, I'd never tell my sister-in-law to google anything. She's terrible at the internet. She thought web designers were designers - clothes, art, what-have-you - that sold their designs over the internet, not designers as in people who designed webpages. This wedding I'm helping her plan is going to be the death of me.)

 

[Vegosiux]

Oh you know, on the internet there's one very simple rule. Answer questions if they're asked by someone you want to have sex with, and smugly reply "Google it" to everyone else, then pat yourself on the back cause you totally pwned that maternal fornicator.

Jokes aside, as was said, it depends. I'll say "Google it" when both of the following apply :

1) You asked something that literally takes a second to look up on Google
2) You had no feasible reason to believe I'd know it off the top of my head

1) is obvious. An example of 2) would be, you're looking for information on say, player transfers in some football league, and you know I work in sports media covering that particular league, so you ask me. Sure, you could google that in a few seconds too, but I'll tell you anyway.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I don't know about rude, but it is rather obnoxious.

 

[cypher-raige]

I don't know about rude, but it is rather obnoxious.

It's obnoxious (and spammy) to create an entire thread when they could easily find the answer on Google or Wikipedia.

 

[ninjaRiv]

But there's no reason to just be lazy and not explain it. It only takes a few seconds to give a brief explanation.

That argument works EXACTLY the same in reverse, though, doesn't it - there is no reason to just be lazy and not google it. It only takes a few seconds to do so. It is literally the same. I'd even class it as worse as in one case - one is asked about something and doesn't bother answering, but in the other, the asker doesn't even bother trying to answer it for himself beforehand. I do think that the one who wants others to do one's job for them is more lazy.

Surely asking questions promotes conversation and discussion and allows you to talk about something you're interested in?

Aren't you making a lot of assumptions here? Surely if you're asking something that should be discussed, then you...should discuss it. I mean, it is rather obvious and you are trying to pass the obvious for the obvious. Which is redundant. Yes, asking "Why do you like pie?" (for example) can promote discussion. Similarly, if people are interested in pie, they would (most probably) be happy to discuss it.

However, if the question is something that can be googled easily, there, by definition, is no point discussing it if it's not a matter of discussion. With the example slightly above your comment - asking "I have these lyrics, where are they from" is not something a debate, or a lengthy conversation would determine, it's is a single answer that is needed and any else is not needed. Also, I think it's a fair assumption to make that if somebody can't be bothered to explain something you can easily find on your own, then that is probably not one of their passions they are eager to talk about in length. Especially if, as you suggest, there is not much to explain.

I did say it depends on context...

Stupid questions are for Google. But what's the harm in just telling somebody? Giving your opinion on what you tell them? Using your lyric example: You Google a lyric, you find out what song it's from. Ask someone, they might have a lot of interesting stuff to say on the song, especially if you're asking them because they brought the subject up, which is the kind of situation I was referring to.

I just find it weird people hate being asked questions so much or feel the need to brush questions off with "Google it." Questions are good and should be asked, imo. They could create discussion ("Hey, what's the Joker's real name" "Oh, nobody knows for sure. It's actually really interesting so let me tell you all about a few classic story lines and potential Joker origins while giving you my own personal opinion and recommendations.") Even stupid questions can do that, depending on context and company.

 

[RedDeadFred]

Yes it's rude but I does this really happen as often as you're implying? I've never had someone say this to me if they knew the answer to the question I was asking... It honestly just sounds like you have shitty friends. Sorry.

Edit: So it seems like we're referring more to this happening on forums than in real life... I don't think it's rude for someone to respond like this on a forum. If it's just a fact you're asking about, why waste someone's time getting them to type out an answer when you could find it out for yourself more quickly?

 

[Eamar]

Questions are good and should be asked, imo.

You haven't spent a lot of time around small children, have you?

In all seriousness though, if someone has a habit of constantly asking questions, especially simple ones, they can give off that sort of "irritating small child" vibe. Similarly, if someone happens to be the one being asked questions a lot, they can get the same feeling of being badgered and become irritable, even if it's not just one person doing the asking.

Questions and curiosity are great... in moderation.

 

[Nexxis]

I'll get annoyed if it's something I've already tried to look up and I haven't been able to find anything for one reason on another. Back when I use to play WoW, I asked on the forums what some of the short-hand terms meant and if there was a dictionary or something where I could find it. Surprisingly, I wasn't the only one with questions and there were people who were willing to help. One person came in with the whole "Google It" statement and the participants of the thread berated the person for it. Personally, in many cases, I think it's a rude thing to say even if it's something that's easy to look up. Circumstances vary, of course.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

Only when it's the result of a google search.
Like, you Google search for the solution to a problem and finally you find something that's actually relevant, like a forum post or something where someone had the same problem, only to find the reply "Google is your friend."

 

[Trunkage]

Questions are good and should be asked, imo.

You haven't spent a lot of time around small children, have you?

In all seriousness though, if someone has a habit of constantly asking questions, especially simple ones, they can give off that sort of "irritating small child" vibe. Similarly, if someone happens to be the one being asked questions a lot, they can get the same feeling of being badgered and become irritable, even if it's not just one person doing the asking.

Questions and curiosity are great... in moderation.

I would normally say having questions is great. But...

Look, as a teacher I can handle questions that they clearly thought about but don't know. I get really annoyed when they don't even bother to think about the answer before asking the question. For example, "What happening next" or "when is mum coming?" (I work with 4 yr olds) is pretty silly on their behalf, because they already know the answer, they just need to recall it.

In many situation "Google it" is appropriate, as society brings down people all the time. I have found that most people are asking for opinions to validate their own. Being a know it all is not a good thing, so reference a place they can do their own research is appropriate. Furthermore, you are more likely to be believed if you have references. Your authority is actually improved through most "information outsourcing." "You can give a man a fish, or teach him how to fish" is another good adage. Everyone should be promoted to do their own research, as long as you've taught them how to do it properly so they don't get frustrated. Do keep in mind situations like Henry Ford who was put on trial to get him replaced as CEO because "he didn't know things"

There are some clear situation already listed here where its not appropriate to say that term.

 

[ninjaRiv]

Questions are good and should be asked, imo.

You haven't spent a lot of time around small children, have you?

In all seriousness though, if someone has a habit of constantly asking questions, especially simple ones, they can give off that sort of "irritating small child" vibe. Similarly, if someone happens to be the one being asked questions a lot, they can get the same feeling of being badgered and become irritable, even if it's not just one person doing the asking.

Questions and curiosity are great... in moderation.

I have three younger brothers! The trick is to turn it around. They don't pull that crap with me, because I tend to annoy them more than they could ever annoy me. It's a gift.

But you're right, moderation is good. Somebody who's constantly asking questions needs to Google it. Problem is, "Google it" is used by idiots and rude people a lot. Same with sarcasm; Sarcasm is good and fun but the majority of people who use it don't know when or how to do so.

 

[Tarfeather]

In general I'm fine with "go google it". What I'm not fine with is, googling a problem, getting a forum thread as first result, and reading the answer "Go google it you lazy bum". >_>

 

[Ieyke]

If you're asking for word definitions, yes, you REALLY need to Google it.
You're on the god damned internet. USE IT.

Use the tools at your disposal. People are not tools (well...some of them are... >_>).

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Never use google. It depends on if its urgent info and where you are. If your asking a question, like here on a forum, then i think just look online. You have the worlds knowledge at your finger tips. I get this with my mum when she asks me questions when she is at her computer. She never seems to realise you can search a word or a sentence when you need to ask for help.

So i guess if its something simple, like the capital city of a country etc then google it. If its an opinion on something abit more complicated like how to build a good PC etc in which searching can take ages when its easier to ask someone with real knowledge. Then thats ok.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

Are you speaking ill of people who may have actual social disorders? As someone with mild SAD, and who knows someone with rather extreme SAD, I can say that that is somewhat rude.

Is this a serious response?

The example given is a person speaking up in criticism of someone else on public chat or forum, which is exactly the sort of thing a person with SAD doesn't do. SAD may confuse or semi-frustrate others, but it rarely if ever outright offends people. Simply too closed off and insular to outwardly impact others like that.

Now if a social disorder is actively seeking out and negatively affecting people for really no good reason, why in the world shouldn't I be critical of it? Is everyone supposed to just take the shitty behavior of everyone else lying down because we happen to have convenient little labels for every conceivable psychological disorder? It is possible for me to feel sorry for someone with a social issue AND want them to get the help they need... AND want them to get the fuck away from me until they do.