paulstraw

the creatively-named tumblelog of Paul Straw.

“Is this a joke? Are we kidding? There are people that have never lit a stove before? I have no faith in this country’s youth (or city dwellers? I don’t even know who to blame for this).  A video? Correct Procedure? Just light the damn thing.”

Katie Schenk

Dear Katie,

Put yourself in a position in which you’re responsible for answering support emails from average people about something that you believe is simple, self-explanatory, and universally known. You’ll quickly realize that it’s none of those things.

Plus, I like writing (and reading) detailed instructions for tasks that most people consider trivial. I actually think about this stuff. I care about the details of my technique for everyday things like entering an elevator or pouring a glass of water.

Two years ago, I wrote a simple guide to making iced coffee. You might say, “Just make it.” But I’ve received more traffic and email from that article than anything else I’ve ever written.

(via marco)

I’ve been working IT services for over five years, and can’t state enough how true this is.

  1. citizenjake reblogged this from marco
  2. chrispazen reblogged this from marco
  3. isay reblogged this from romeojulietsierra and added:
    One might argue that if you are incapable of lighting a gas stove, you should refrain from eating and thus help out the...
  4. romeojulietsierra reblogged this from marco and added:
    We have failed as a people. We have failed as a nation. There are people that cannot figure out how to light a stove?
  5. benkraal reblogged this from marco and added:
    Marco, explaining to...what’s completely obvious to one person
  6. anners reblogged this from marco
  7. peroty reblogged this from paulstraw
  8. paulstraw reblogged this from marco and added:
    I’ve been working IT services...over five years,...can’t...
  9. marco reblogged this from katieschenk and added:
    Katie Schenk Dear Katie, Put yourself in...which you’re responsible
  10. craig reblogged this from marco and added:
    i always thought there was merit...writing tutorials on
  11. peroty reblogged this from marco and added:
    Much appreciated! Sadly without power, I was also without internet (save for my LG Dare and Verizon’s abysmal...
  12. twistmac reblogged this from marco
  13. iansanity reblogged this from marco and added:
    I nearly set my arm on fire attempting to re-light the pilot light in my broiler, because it was so far back. Having no...
  14. katieschenk reblogged this from marco and added:
    Is this a joke? Are we kidding? There are people that have never lit a stove before? I have no faith in this country’s...
  15. marco reblogged this from peroty and added:
    Peroty fails at cooking:...You can still manually light nearly every modern gas stove with...
  16. peroty posted this
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