Are you cheating your self?

Are you cheating your self?

By ghost | 4013 Reads |

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 Many of the challenges on HBH can leave you stumped. Some can be very frustrating at times and others can leave you wondering how they work even after you\'ve completed them.
 When you\'ve exhausted your own arsenal, where do you turn? Articles? Forums? Yeah, we all do. But what happens when you\'re questions still aren\'t answered? Where can you turn? Many people are turning to private messaging. But how far you should you push yourself before asking for help? When you do ask, what should you ask?
 I realised that many people don\'t ask the right questions and therefore don\'t get the right answers. Perhaps one\'s motive is the guiding force behind one\'s specific questions but it\'s important to know why certain questions provoke certain responses. Why do some questions receive servere beratement while others gets helpful hints?
 I think that the specifics vary from person to person, however, I noticed something in answering messages myself. When asked for help understanding the methodology of a challenge, I openly discussed the challenge

and offered areas of focus that would lead to a clearer understanding of the problem. I also noticed that when someone simply asked for the solution to a challenge, I became somewhat evasive and hesitant. I felt almost offended. It seemed that since the person had given up on themself that I should as well. They couldn't be bothered to search so I couldn't be bothered to answer. I see the same happening in many forums and it makes me think about the one asking the question. When you ask for help or hints understanding the problem, you further your own knowledge and contribute towards the solution, but when you ask for the answer and ignore the process, aren't you really just cheating yourself? As the challenges presented are more than a means to earn points and raise your rank, would you not hold cheap any status gained through simply having answers handed to you? You could have all the answers given away but in the end you are depriving yourself of the experience and satisfaction of learning. What would really be gained from that? I realize that many people, especially new people, can be frustrated and overwhelmed by the vast amount of information to learn but remember that when you give up on yourself others will too and asking for the answer is a clear indication that you have given up. When you stop trying and start expecting others to do the work for you, you're only cheating yourself. Instead of asking for the answers, try explaining what you have done so far and what you don't understand. Be sure that you have actually tried. All too often people send messages saying "I searched google but couldn't find anything." What is that? A thirty second search isn't going to give you the keys to the kingdom. Search. Really search. Try different wordings and related topics. Google, while an excellent resource, doesn't always provide the answer you need. So, yes, you will no doubt ask someone. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. The key is in how you ask. Don't simply say "c4n u s3nd m3 dA ANseR?" because you won't get anything helpful and your wasting other people's time. Think before you ask. Construct your question carefully and intelligently. Once again, your effort will be reflected in your question and the answer you receive will reflect the effort in your question.