[quote]Tex Ag wrote:
Here is the funny thing, common knowledge does not exist. Or more to point, it is culturally specific, so that understanding what is considered common knowledge is actually acceptance/admittance into said cultural group. Case in point, C_C (and others’) response to read existing threads to initiate oneself into this particular cultural group.
Common knowledge as such (defined by and defining of cultural groups) does not need to be factual or non-conflicting. It just has to be accepted within the cultural group. (Look up ontology and epistemology if you want to get deep into this.) Take for example, Jesus. Christians say “Son of God”, Jews say “Nope”, and Muslims say “Prophet, but we have had newer and better.” Who’s right? Not the point here, just showing that cultural groups differ in what is “fact”. So the idea that people link loosing weight with getting muscle should not surprise anyone who watches the smallest modicum of TV commercials. It does not have to be factual to be accepted by some cultural groups. People are buying in, right?
So should we be surprised when an unindoctrinated newbie asks questions that are deemed common knowledge in this particular cultural group (bodybuilder on T-Nation) when the newbie is a member of the larger ‘lose weight to get buff’ crowd? No. Why the hell the fuss? Send them to our scriptures - stickies - and let them start there.
One thing that needs to be considered is that everyone belongs to different cultural groups, thus have drank the kool-aid of different common knowledges. It is a poor assumption to believe that others pull from the same experiences and cultural groups as oneself. That makes as much sense as making an assumption about one cultural group and applying it broadly to the general population. Or linking arm size to an individual’s worth.[/quote]
Mind you, I don’t believe anyone came at him at all in his original thread. It was in the beginner’s section. Most of us will not go there and rag on them for lack of knowledge. As such, this newbie here was not attacked. However, we have been getting more and more ridiculous posts HERE, in the BODYBUILDING FORUM and that is when they become fair game. His post was used as an example because I am still amazed a grown man with the desire to make large changes in how he looks would be that taken aback because his stomach stuck out a little when he is 135lbs and just started eating more.
Yes, this is still a community, and like any social group, if someone new expects to enter that group most have the basic knowledge to understand how that group works before attempting it.
For instance, if you see several very large weight lifters all training together and joking with each other while they train hard, would you jump into their conversation without observing them first?
Why do the rules change on the internet?
Most of these people won’t even read around the board before they make posts. That makes no logical sense at all and completely ignores any points you are trying to make about social groups.
Therefore, the lack of observation could be seen as a lack of common sense considering most human beings will observe a group before attempting to join that group…almost regardless of cultural differences. When in society does this not happen?
