Howdy folks,
it's a bit disappointing to read all the negative and aggressive
responses to an undergrad asking for assistance. I read the
sci.bio.ecology newsgroup and have never seen the likes there. And
there's some very general questions posted, "Does anyone know where I can
find something out about biodiversity?"
No one has to "do someone's work for them." The negative
responses take much more time than replying with, "Check out E.O. Wilson's
book on 'Biodiversity', its perhaps most central and classic reference."
That response could save a student hours of reading a ton of other trash
on the subject. As folks browse these newsgroups, they can respond at
their leisure and really help folks out. Even the sarcastic question
about ion transport could be responded to by someone very familiar with
the area that cites a basic textbook that does a particularly good job of
explaining the issue.
It doesn't make much sense to discourage folks requesting
information... especially a woman in biology asking a biological
question. Isn't that one of the main reasons for this group? If you
don't want to help or can't, just go to a more interesting post!
enjoy,
-neo
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Neo D. Martinez
Research Fellow
Bodega Marine Laboratory
University of California, Davis
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