Internet Forum Genius Follies

All internet forums are tormented by recurring themes of drivel.

A large class of such involves unimportant exceptions.

Here's but one example.

Poster 1: I've been shipping fragile things for many years now, and they really do get there unbroken. Here's how I pack them [good packing ideas].

Genius 1, needing to show superior intelligence: If the UPS truck drives over that package, it wouldn't survive.

Genius 2, needing to show even more intelligence: If the package had been constructed of 3/8" steel plate, it would have survived even a UPS truck.

Genius 3, feeling himself the master of the game: Even a 3/8" steel plate package wouldn't survive being run over by a D-10 Caterpillar bulldozer.

And so on.

I suggest short circuiting such sub-threads straight into the ground, by not replying in any way.

There is, of course, times when exceptions are important. They don't involve stuff so unlikely that it need not be accounted for. Generally, a good posting regarding exceptions accepts the burden of showing why the exception is important.