Why be intolerant of dumb questions?
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
Why be intolerant of dumb questions?
Because this site has promoted that very thing for years here. Abusive, mocking, scornful replies that are way out of line have always been voted up, and cheered not just in the programming forums but also in the Lounge. I include myself in this list too although for at least 3 years now, I have made a very conscious effort to not only be tolerant of dumb questions but to go out of my way to aggressively respond to people who reply rudely (on occasions against some very popular members/personal friends). In the past it was not this big a problem, because the percentage or rather number of people asking dumb questions were too small to notice. But the site grew fast, too fast for some people, and now there are dozens of dumb questions asked every day so these people (many of them active CPians of many years) don't know any other way than to respond rudely. I am not sure how it's gratifying but I guess it gives them a kick for a few seconds or minutes. You (Chris) can make a change if you strongly insist that people put a stop to it. It’s your website. So it should be your responsibility to make sure you don’t silently endorse a culture of boorishness and uncalled-for contempt. Side-note: you just gotta respect John (SOP) here. For a guy whose first instinct is to hit back verbally, he is one of the politest guys in the programming forums. He is intolerant of idiots in the Lounge, but I haven’t seen him reply in an offensive and off-topic way even to some of the dumbest and haziest questions posted here.
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
If it's just noice (insulting, gimme code plz ... etc.) remove the question If it's a novice - either answer politely or ignore it and move on Create a F.A.Q - award really good answers to frequent questions 500 points and add question and answer to F.A.Q. Let the author nominate his answer for the f.a.q. and add the answer to a f.a.q. sandbox. Set up a sandbox voting system where only members with a combined Author+Authority rating of lets say 25K can vote, voting gives you 10 points and requires a decent review of the answer. When an answer is promoted from the sandbox to the f.a.q. award reviews additional points - perhaps 50 - hopefully this will foster collaboration. Let review be a privilege - if you get, lets say -500 points for giving poor/wrong reviews you are banned for voting in the sandbox for a year. To move an answer from the sandbox to the f.a.q. should require at least 10 positive reviews It's just an idea :)
Espen Harlinn Senior Architect, Software - Goodtech Projects & Services
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Why do you go search StackOverflow for the answer, MORON!?!!! [Edit]To the univoter: It's a joke![/Edit]
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun -
Chris Maunder wrote:
Why be intolerant of dumb questions?
Because this site has promoted that very thing for years here. Abusive, mocking, scornful replies that are way out of line have always been voted up, and cheered not just in the programming forums but also in the Lounge. I include myself in this list too although for at least 3 years now, I have made a very conscious effort to not only be tolerant of dumb questions but to go out of my way to aggressively respond to people who reply rudely (on occasions against some very popular members/personal friends). In the past it was not this big a problem, because the percentage or rather number of people asking dumb questions were too small to notice. But the site grew fast, too fast for some people, and now there are dozens of dumb questions asked every day so these people (many of them active CPians of many years) don't know any other way than to respond rudely. I am not sure how it's gratifying but I guess it gives them a kick for a few seconds or minutes. You (Chris) can make a change if you strongly insist that people put a stop to it. It’s your website. So it should be your responsibility to make sure you don’t silently endorse a culture of boorishness and uncalled-for contempt. Side-note: you just gotta respect John (SOP) here. For a guy whose first instinct is to hit back verbally, he is one of the politest guys in the programming forums. He is intolerant of idiots in the Lounge, but I haven’t seen him reply in an offensive and off-topic way even to some of the dumbest and haziest questions posted here.
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
Good points ...
Espen Harlinn Senior Architect, Software - Goodtech Projects & Services
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Good points ...
Espen Harlinn Senior Architect, Software - Goodtech Projects & Services
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A pleasure ;)
Espen Harlinn Senior Architect, Software - Goodtech Projects & Services
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I personally believe
There is no such thing a dumb question only dumb answers.
But if you think a question is 'dumb' just use one of the first three options Chris mentioned. A additional option might be to point the OP in the direction of a possible solution. Perhaps he will return with a specific question about a problem he is struggling with. The type of question we would like to see.
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Chris Maunder wrote:
Why be intolerant of dumb questions?
Because this site has promoted that very thing for years here. Abusive, mocking, scornful replies that are way out of line have always been voted up, and cheered not just in the programming forums but also in the Lounge. I include myself in this list too although for at least 3 years now, I have made a very conscious effort to not only be tolerant of dumb questions but to go out of my way to aggressively respond to people who reply rudely (on occasions against some very popular members/personal friends). In the past it was not this big a problem, because the percentage or rather number of people asking dumb questions were too small to notice. But the site grew fast, too fast for some people, and now there are dozens of dumb questions asked every day so these people (many of them active CPians of many years) don't know any other way than to respond rudely. I am not sure how it's gratifying but I guess it gives them a kick for a few seconds or minutes. You (Chris) can make a change if you strongly insist that people put a stop to it. It’s your website. So it should be your responsibility to make sure you don’t silently endorse a culture of boorishness and uncalled-for contempt. Side-note: you just gotta respect John (SOP) here. For a guy whose first instinct is to hit back verbally, he is one of the politest guys in the programming forums. He is intolerant of idiots in the Lounge, but I haven’t seen him reply in an offensive and off-topic way even to some of the dumbest and haziest questions posted here.
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
Nishant Sivakumar wrote:
a kick for a few seconds or minutes.
Days if you milk it long enough ;P
Nishant Sivakumar wrote:
it should be your responsibility
Although Chris is ultimately responsible for his creation, it is our responsibility to be aware and perhaps self-police a bit more. Sometimes we can unknowingly go to far, as you have correctly pointed out to me. Perhaps we need to step up for each other more often.
No comment
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
What's the best solution? What sort of a question is that? Can't you use google? Sarcasm aside, may I suggest a voting button, on answers only, to "mark answer as sarcastic and totally unhelpful" Any answer marked as such to remain visible but unvotable and only the author allowed to remove it, or mark it for appeal. Such a reply should reduce the users points by 100 for a firs toffees, 500 for a second and 1000 subsequently. An appealed answer, failing it's appeal, should have points deduction doubled. Possibly those losing more than 5000 points to have answering rights removed, which would be helpful for those not bothered about their pointy reputation. Kick 'em where it hurts.
MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I don't see you could do other than maybe displaying a reminder:
Did you google this subject before posting?
Did you do any research at all?
Are you googly challenged?because;
- There are always going to be stupid people.
- There are always going to be lazy people.
- There are always going to be arrogant people.
- And finally my favorite, there are always going to be smart a&&es.
My 2 sense!
A girl phoned me and said, 'Come on over. There's nobody home.' I went over. Nobody was home! Rodney Dangerfield
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I think this is kinda my fault. People see me do it, and they kinda get in line behind me. I make an effort to be good, but sometimes, I just can't help myself. I think it's just something you have to put up with Chris. I mean, there are over 8 million accounts here, and keeping everyone in line is a cross between herding cats and playing whack-a-mole. With the quality of the questions, I think it's understandable that someone could just have a minor break with sanity and post something he normally wouldn't. I think the only time you really need to worry about it is if someone becomes noticeably and habitually abusive. You only have another year to go before the world goes tits-up at the end of the Mayan calendar, so if I were you, I'd just kick back and enjoy the show. :)
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997 -
I think this is kinda my fault. People see me do it, and they kinda get in line behind me. I make an effort to be good, but sometimes, I just can't help myself. I think it's just something you have to put up with Chris. I mean, there are over 8 million accounts here, and keeping everyone in line is a cross between herding cats and playing whack-a-mole. With the quality of the questions, I think it's understandable that someone could just have a minor break with sanity and post something he normally wouldn't. I think the only time you really need to worry about it is if someone becomes noticeably and habitually abusive. You only have another year to go before the world goes tits-up at the end of the Mayan calendar, so if I were you, I'd just kick back and enjoy the show. :)
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
You only have another year to go before the world goes tits-up
That's what the missionaries have told me.
Martin Fowler wrote:
Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.
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Chris Maunder wrote:
Why be intolerant of dumb questions?
Because this site has promoted that very thing for years here. Abusive, mocking, scornful replies that are way out of line have always been voted up, and cheered not just in the programming forums but also in the Lounge. I include myself in this list too although for at least 3 years now, I have made a very conscious effort to not only be tolerant of dumb questions but to go out of my way to aggressively respond to people who reply rudely (on occasions against some very popular members/personal friends). In the past it was not this big a problem, because the percentage or rather number of people asking dumb questions were too small to notice. But the site grew fast, too fast for some people, and now there are dozens of dumb questions asked every day so these people (many of them active CPians of many years) don't know any other way than to respond rudely. I am not sure how it's gratifying but I guess it gives them a kick for a few seconds or minutes. You (Chris) can make a change if you strongly insist that people put a stop to it. It’s your website. So it should be your responsibility to make sure you don’t silently endorse a culture of boorishness and uncalled-for contempt. Side-note: you just gotta respect John (SOP) here. For a guy whose first instinct is to hit back verbally, he is one of the politest guys in the programming forums. He is intolerant of idiots in the Lounge, but I haven’t seen him reply in an offensive and off-topic way even to some of the dumbest and haziest questions posted here.
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
Nishant Sivakumar wrote:
you just gotta respect John (SOP) here
Plus he's got ammunitions and know where we all live. Just kiddin'
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb
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We all see the dumb questions posted on the site, and I've put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. You can: 1. vote to remove them (in the forums) or report them (in Quick Answers) 2. downvote them to let others know the question is substandard and move on 3. ignore it and move on Or the 4 option which is 4. Post a sarcastic or scathing reply This 4th option is favoured by some, but ultimately it's not even as helpful as option 3. All it does is upset the poster, or more often, is completely ignored and means we have a poor question and a nasty reply. If only they could get a room together and leave us alone... I've been pondering this and hence the question: Why be intolerant of dumb questions? 1. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in even bothering to phrase it uefully? 2. Because poorly phrased questions show laziness in that not even a Google search was tried? 3. Because stupid people should stay away until they are no longer stupid? 4. Because I get stupid questions all day and I don't like seeing more? Now, given the premise that if someone can't be bothered to phrase a decent question, they probably won't be receptive to abuse and sarcasm, what's the best solution?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
What I don't get is why sometimes a person asks or says something (not necessarily stupid) and they get downvoted, whereas another person (granted, perhaps with more reputation) asks or says something similar and they get upvoted... :confused:
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Why do you go search StackOverflow for the answer, MORON!?!!! [Edit]To the univoter: It's a joke![/Edit]
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von BraunObviously a joke, and not a repost, not 1 worthy. 5 to counter.
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Good questions, o great one. I think you may have left out a 5th possible answer to "why": 5. Elitism. We all fall into that trap sometimes. It can be difficult to avoid the snarky/nasty response when you think you're better than the original poster. I'm not sure there's a solution other than occasionally pointing out the issue. And you just did that. :-D
Guilty - and yes the occasional poke from CM does tend to lower the
Marc A. Brown wrote:
snarky/nasty
threshold
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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Chris Maunder wrote:
what's the best solution?
Put everybody in that learning machine from Battlefield Earth.
Martin Fowler wrote:
Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.
AspDotNetDev wrote:
Battlefield Earth
Bloody hell you have seen some crap films - the book wasn't too bad, the film rates as one of the all time crap films.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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What's the best solution? What sort of a question is that? Can't you use google? Sarcasm aside, may I suggest a voting button, on answers only, to "mark answer as sarcastic and totally unhelpful" Any answer marked as such to remain visible but unvotable and only the author allowed to remove it, or mark it for appeal. Such a reply should reduce the users points by 100 for a firs toffees, 500 for a second and 1000 subsequently. An appealed answer, failing it's appeal, should have points deduction doubled. Possibly those losing more than 5000 points to have answering rights removed, which would be helpful for those not bothered about their pointy reputation. Kick 'em where it hurts.
MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
_Maxxx_ wrote:
reduce the users points by 100 for a firs toffees, 500 for a second and 1000 subsequently
Just how negative is it possible to go before the hamsters remove the account? Imagine being removed for being sarcastic. I love sarcasm and enjoy using it, what I dislike is when you have to explain sarcasm b/c communication is the problem. This has almost cured me from using it in the forums. Oh and the occasional poke like this thread from CM
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I think this is kinda my fault. People see me do it, and they kinda get in line behind me. I make an effort to be good, but sometimes, I just can't help myself. I think it's just something you have to put up with Chris. I mean, there are over 8 million accounts here, and keeping everyone in line is a cross between herding cats and playing whack-a-mole. With the quality of the questions, I think it's understandable that someone could just have a minor break with sanity and post something he normally wouldn't. I think the only time you really need to worry about it is if someone becomes noticeably and habitually abusive. You only have another year to go before the world goes tits-up at the end of the Mayan calendar, so if I were you, I'd just kick back and enjoy the show. :)
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
I think this is kinda my fault.
I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. I've noticed more rude, obnoxious behavior from newer members. Perhaps their attempt to standout in the crowd, make a name form themselves, or prove the "old" guys should retire and make room for them.
No comment
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AspDotNetDev wrote:
Battlefield Earth
Bloody hell you have seen some crap films - the book wasn't too bad, the film rates as one of the all time crap films.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
Everybody except for me has crap taste in movies! My boss was just telling me he couldn't make it past the first few minutes of The Matrix, and I nearly quit on the spot.
Martin Fowler wrote:
Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.
