Freethought & Rationalism Archive

braces_for_impact · 03-03-2003, 12:43 PM

Mods, feel free to move this if need be, I wasn't sure exactly where to put it...

But it doesn't matter because I'm tired of being part of the incredibly stupid human race anymore. I give up.

Car Seat Instructions Too Difficult for Many Parents

Apparently writing an instruction manual at the 10th grade level is too hard for many parents.

Shoot me.

Now.

Mageth · 03-03-2003, 01:11 PM

How in hell would you write sufficient instructions at the fifth-grade level? Calling Dr. Seuss!

Besides, most of the instructions I've seen for carseats (and we've had several) come with ample drawings that make it almost unnecessary to read anything, and almost impossible to install the seat wrong if you follow the instructions.

braces_for_impact · 03-03-2003, 01:19 PM

Exactly my point. I've owned a few in my time. Notice the end of the article where those "tough words" are?

We are doomed, DOOMED I SAY!

Can 25% of America really only read at the eighth grade level!?

Jimmy Higgins · 03-03-2003, 02:22 PM

(approximated Simpsons skit)

Doctor Hibbard: You're going to need quadruple bypass procedure.

Homer Simpson: Spare me your medical mumbo jumbo.

Doctor Hibbard: You need open heart surgery.

Homer Simpson: In english doc.

Doctor Hibbard: We're going to "cut you open and tinker with your ticker."

Homer Simpson: *gasp*

Its funny because its true. Why do you think Americans look up to Bush? He ain't that smart. He's like they are. Sad, sad world.

Ab_Normal · 03-03-2003, 02:57 PM

I've always felt that sex is too darn easy. If you had to read and comprehend an instruction book first, there might be hope.

ajm51987 · 03-03-2003, 03:35 PM

Quote:

'collision,' 'automobile,' and 'remedied'

Automobile?? Automobile?????!!!!!!! Ahhhhh!!!

Mageth · 03-03-2003, 04:04 PM

I reckon they'll recommend substituting "boo boo" for "injury".

Happy Wonderer · 03-03-2003, 04:41 PM

The only small mitigating (er, "makes it not as bad") factor ("thing") I can offer is that many residents ("people who live here in the USA") may have English as a second language ("speak different than us".)

I would hope that is the main reason that we should write instructions at that level. Honestly, if I had to face instructions written in Spanish I'd need them to be written using as simple a vocabulary as possible. (In any other non-computer language I'd need pictures...)

HW

Brahe · 03-03-2003, 06:09 PM

I must admit, the first thing of which I though when I saw this story was: "perhaps the manual was too complicated simply for FoxNews viewers." :-)

In all seriousness, though, instructions really should be as simply-written as possible, no matter what the proceedure. Heck, one of the reasons I enjoy putting together furniture is because the instructions usually consist of completely unambiguous pictures! Sure, unusual and mature language can make things interesting, but I'd rather take that in my news reports and literature rather than in instruction manuals.

EspressoSnail · 03-03-2003, 07:36 PM

*waves a little flag and half heartedly sings* Oh I'm proud to be an American... cause at least I know I'm free *speeds up to try to fit to tune* to be as stupid as I want to be... argh...
That is very sad... of course I had a similar experience in my psychology class last semster... the professor told us that some people tend to have problems reading the text. It was about a 10th grade reading level and he said that if we had problems understanding it that we should get a dictionary or drop out.

03-03-2003, 12:43 PM	#1
braces_for_impact Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In a nondescript, black helicopter. Posts: 6,637	Just kill me Mods, feel free to move this if need be, I wasn't sure exactly where to put it... But it doesn't matter because I'm tired of being part of the incredibly stupid human race anymore. I give up. Car Seat Instructions Too Difficult for Many Parents Apparently writing an instruction manual at the 10th grade level is too hard for many parents. Shoot me. Now.

03-03-2003, 06:09 PM	#9
Brahe Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 10	Too Complicated...for Whom? I must admit, the first thing of which I though when I saw this story was: "perhaps the manual was too complicated simply for FoxNews viewers." :-) In all seriousness, though, instructions really should be as simply-written as possible, no matter what the proceedure. Heck, one of the reasons I enjoy putting together furniture is because the instructions usually consist of completely unambiguous pictures! Sure, unusual and mature language can make things interesting, but I'd rather take that in my news reports and literature rather than in instruction manuals.

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03-03-2003, 01:11 PM	#2
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	How in hell would you write sufficient instructions at the fifth-grade level? Calling Dr. Seuss! Besides, most of the instructions I've seen for carseats (and we've had several) come with ample drawings that make it almost unnecessary to read anything, and almost impossible to install the seat wrong if you follow the instructions.

03-03-2003, 01:19 PM	#3
braces_for_impact Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In a nondescript, black helicopter. Posts: 6,637	Exactly my point. I've owned a few in my time. Notice the end of the article where those "tough words" are? We are doomed, DOOMED I SAY! Can 25% of America really only read at the eighth grade level!?

03-03-2003, 02:22 PM	#4
Jimmy Higgins Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Proud Citizen of Freedonia Posts: 42,473	(approximated Simpsons skit) Doctor Hibbard: You're going to need quadruple bypass procedure. Homer Simpson: Spare me your medical mumbo jumbo. Doctor Hibbard: You need open heart surgery. Homer Simpson: In english doc. Doctor Hibbard: We're going to "cut you open and tinker with your ticker." Homer Simpson: gasp Its funny because its true. Why do you think Americans look up to Bush? He ain't that smart. He's like they are. Sad, sad world.

03-03-2003, 02:57 PM	#5
Ab_Normal Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,842	I've always felt that sex is too darn easy. If you had to read and comprehend an instruction book first, there might be hope.

03-03-2003, 04:04 PM	#7
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	I reckon they'll recommend substituting "boo boo" for "injury".

03-03-2003, 04:41 PM	#8
Happy Wonderer Veteran Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Washington, the least religious state Posts: 5,334	The only small mitigating (er, "makes it not as bad") factor ("thing") I can offer is that many residents ("people who live here in the USA") may have English as a second language ("speak different than us".) I would hope that is the main reason that we should write instructions at that level. Honestly, if I had to face instructions written in Spanish I'd need them to be written using as simple a vocabulary as possible. (In any other non-computer language I'd need pictures...) HW

03-03-2003, 07:36 PM	#10
EspressoSnail Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 207	waves a little flag and half heartedly sings Oh I'm proud to be an American... cause at least I know I'm free speeds up to try to fit to tune to be as stupid as I want to be... argh... That is very sad... of course I had a similar experience in my psychology class last semster... the professor told us that some people tend to have problems reading the text. It was about a 10th grade reading level and he said that if we had problems understanding it that we should get a dictionary or drop out.

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