Australia is the largest country in the world.

[SketchMaster]

You stopped what you were doing the moment you read the title, didn't you? You came in here ready to lay down some hard facts to make sure I knew I was misinformed.

You just experienced Cunningham's Law.

"The best way to get the right answer on the Internet is not to ask a question, it's to post the wrong answer." This refers to the observation that people are quicker to correct a wrong answer than to answer a question.

I won't lie. I have a love/hate relationship with this law, because it's very true. Sometimes I'll really be stuck on a problem and even after googling my heart out I still have no leads. I'll then go to a collection of subject matter experts and pose the question to them, only to get a passing comment that is a vague answer at best.

However, if in a casual conversation with the same group I make a remark with even partly wrong information...

I will not lie, I've sometimes used this fish information out of a stubborn engineer. Nothing gets a fellow tech head going more than hearing someone make an inaccurate statement.

I'm sure not many people have noticed Cunningham's Law at work.

 

[shortylickens]

Blank Post

 

[SketchMaster]

Blank Post

What?!

*Checks post in other browsers*

No, there isn't anything wrong wi-

...Sonofabitch...

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I'm pretty sure it's Antarctica....

 

[Iron Woode]

I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[Muse]

No, the biggest country in the world is your ass. You obviously have a massive ass.

 

[Muse]

I'm pretty sure it's Antarctica....

Actually I think it's Russia.

 

[UglyCasanova]

"The best way to get the right answer on the Internet is not to ask a question, it's to post the wrong answer." This refers to the observation that people are quicker to correct a wrong answer than to answer a question.


That’s so true.

 

[Darwin333]

No, the biggest country in the world is your ass. You obviously have a massive ass.

Yeah but it is tight as hell so it wouldn't support any kind of advanced life. Sure some viruses and bacteria that we try to avoid like the plague if that is the goalpost we would have to test a LOT of people, a lot of them in the media spotlight somehow or another, but not all.

 

[highland145]

Australia has the most shit that wants to kill you, per square metre, than any continent in the world.

 

[DigDog]

I came to post a joke.

 

[arandomguy]

You're wrong, Australia isn't a country.

In all seriousness I feel some of this at least is likely due to it being much easier to argue against a singular statement or fact. Whereas questions tend to often be more open ended making them complicated (if at all possible) to answer with any certainty. With asking questions, what you ask and how you ask it is very important in terms of the responses you get.

 

[highland145]

An Australian aside....

@Darwin333 opportunity missed.

 

[Muse]

"The best way to get the right answer on the Internet is not to ask a question, it's to post the wrong answer." This refers to the observation that people are quicker to correct a wrong answer than to answer a question.


That’s so true.

And there's a good reason for that. If you simply ask a question people may think (very often correctly) that you are too lazy to find out yourself. Ever hear of Google? However, it's our duty to correct misinformation, therefore if you post that, you will be corrected.

/thread.

 

[Muse]

Australia has the most shit that wants to kill you, per square metre, than any continent in the world.

But they outlawed assault weapons, they've got that on the dumbass USA.

 

[IronWing]

Okay, so if the earth is round and Australia is down on the bottom side, why is the label on the map printed upright? Checkmate, round-earther mates.

 

[highland145]

But they outlawed assault weapons, they've got that on the dumbass USA.

Give Australian wildlife a chance for easier prey.....makes sense.

 

[snoopy7548]

Nope, America is the bigliest country in the world.

 

[Humpy]

You stopped what you were doing the moment you read the title, didn't you? You came in here ready to lay down some hard facts to make sure I knew I was misinformed.

Wrong.

I'm here to offer support and to corroborate that the thread title is absolutely correct in many regards.

 

[Not So Mild]

You're wrong, Australia isn't a country.

In all seriousness I feel some of this at least is likely due to it being much easier to argue against a singular statement or fact. Whereas questions tend to often be more open ended making them complicated (if at all possible) to answer with any certainty. With asking questions, what you ask and how you ask it is very important in terms of the responses you get.

Going off of this a little, I think it's also beneficial when it appears you've done your own research into the topic at hand and attempted to find the right answer, rather than expecting a handout. By posting the wrong answer, people can see where you went wrong with your thinking and are able to fix it a lot easier than if they have to start from scratch. Some answers also require a bit of background knowledge to fully understand, and by giving what you believe to be the right answer, it helps establish a starting point.

 

[IronWing]

Dorset is the bigerestly country.

 

[ultimatebob]

You're wrong, Australia isn't a country.

Yeah, Australia is more of an overgrown British penal colony with a bad taste in sandwich spreads.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Australia has the most shit that wants to kill you, per square metre, than any continent in the world.

Are you sure? I mean, Antarctica is basically trying to kill everything all the time. The continent itself. That's like 100% per square meter.

 

[highland145]

Are you sure? I mean, Antarctica is basically trying to kill everything all the time. The continent itself. That's like 100% per square meter.

Pshaw, put on a scarf.

 

[shortylickens]

Pshaw, put on a scarf.

Or hump penguins.