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From: bl947@torfree.net (Arlo Smith)
Subject: Re: The Inform Designer's Manual
Message-ID: <DKGywK.L3u.0.bloor@torfree.net>
Organization: Toronto Free-Net
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References: <201316Z28121995@anon.penet.fi> <4bv1m2$g0c@grid.direct.ca> <4bvcgt$qb4@joker.rz.hu-berlin.de> <4bvdks$it4@grid.direct.ca> <4c0a9p$n79@news.lth.se> <4c2api$a9t@grid.direct.ca>
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 1995 21:12:19 GMT
Lines: 32

Neil K. Guy (nkg@grid.direct.ca) wrote:
:  I think that's a pretty accurate cultural observation. One that may
: offend some Americans, but in my experience valid. (my experience being

Sigh.. I didn't want to get sucked into this discussion, but the
suggestion that the English dont need to have concepts explained to them
before being asked to apply them (has their fascination with the
infidelity of the royal family made them even more superior than they
already are?) while weak-minded Americans are spoon-fed by 'too
straightforward' textbooks is positively, absolutely, indubitably
OFFENSIVE. And silly. It's perfectly natural to explain stuff. It's not a
sign of moral decay, or poor teaching, or lack of pluck! 

:  However, this does cut both ways IMO. Whining about unfairness is a big
: part of the North American schooling experience. But it also stems from

Whining about unfairness is a big part of a free society. Speaking of a 
free society, what kind of economic background do you think most students 
who go to Oxford have?

:  Oh, well. Teaching the student to teach him or herself works. Spoon-

Thats one thing. It's another to hide material while blithely asking the
reader to use it! Good grief. The fact of the matter is the manual is 
written in such a way that it takes the beginner alot longer than 
necessary to learn... now if that's some kind of superior teaching method 
kept secret from the poor people on the other side of the Atlantic, well, 
I dont think the Americans are suffering as much as you think.

Sorry, but I lost my temper. I dont think everyone should be so 
hysterical about some criticism that they start making generalizations 
about the American way of life!
