Expert asterisks

In online discussions, a common mistake made by experts is known as the Expert Asterisk. When a beginner seeks assistance, seasoned individuals often answer, but then they add extra facts or details that are far beyond the learner's current abilities or needs. For instance, a newcomer was struggling with the fundamentals of git, specifically how branches relate to directories and how to undo changes. They knew about git init but were unsure how it connected to managing projects.

New user: So, does 'git init' create a new project each time I start a new one?

Expert 1: 'git init' is used to create a new project from scratch.

Expert 2: You should change your working directory when switching projects. Otherwise, you can use the -C switch, but it's more typing and not many people do it unless there's a very good reason.

Why introduce such obscure command-line options when the learner barely understands git? By mentioning these details, it feels like an esoteric footnote that only experts, academics, or enthusiasts would need. The expert's intention is to be helpful, offering all possible options so the new user can choose the right one. However, multiple experts may provide their own tangents, distracting the beginner and causing their original question to be lost in the sea of added information.

It's challenging to help new learners because we cannot know their specific gaps or misconceptions. Experts may misunderstand the learner's context or the meaning behind their words, leading to incorrect guidance. In the example provided, "change project" could mean either switching between existing projects or starting a new one.

We don't know which interpretation the learner intended. An expert might continuously work on several active projects, while a beginner might focus on one until completion before moving on to a new one. The expert's comment about using 'git init' for every project might not be suitable for the beginner's situation. Instead, the expert could have clarified the learner's needs directly, saving time and effort.

Experts add these asterisks to enhance discussions, but they are not strictly for beginners. They are meant for general conversations among various participants. There's no rule against discussing advanced or rare options, but it's hard to predict what will be useful for a particular learner, what the beginner truly means, or what will resonate with them.

It's a difficult task to discern who you're addressing and whether you're genuinely helping them. However, if you aim to assist the beginner, avoid introducing tangential details. Instead, focus on understanding their situation and mindset, speaking their language so they can comprehend your guidance.