[Just for the heck of it and I'm already unpopular so what the heck]
Questions get answered on GML. Every word of reply is interesting and
teaches me something.
Each of us has to weigh the advice we get because each of us is ultimately
responsible for our own gerbils. Not to say how YOU should do that, but
here's how I think about the people who are so generous in GML. These
classifications overlap, of course.
** EXPERTS know the scientific and veterinary literature about gerbils.
They also have extensive experience as keepers of critters. Usually they
are breeders but maybe not. Some of them are professional scientists.
Some of them just KNOW.
** EXPERIENCED KEEPERS know from experience and many of them have done
good research as well. They are as good as the professionals in areas
that they know. Sometimes they report anecdotally -- meaning specific
experiences rather than scientific findings. I trust them too, every time
because they are careful about what they say.
** THE REST OF US have some experiences, and maybe have done research
about something. The less lazy of us know what is in the good websites.
All the above people can have different opinions. Gerbils aren't an exact
engineering science. I like seeing differing opinions and some
discussion. I don't like watching simple questions of fact that lazy
people could have answered for themselves at a website. IMHO most
responsible GMLers feel that way.
There is nothing wrong with anecdotal reports if they help YOU. Just know
the difference between one experience versus what many people have
observed and measured. (Recently Tana, prolly an expert, mentioned
something casually and anecdotally that went click! for me to solve a
gerbils care problem.)
The anecdotal reports from THE REST OF US also make the EXPERTS smarter.
So keep 'em coming.
Emergency help is different because time is important. Sometimes the
first helper can only give some pointers, knowing that more expert people
will see the call later. The best emergency/non-expert help can be
pointers to websites, and perhaps reassurance about whether it's a
life-threatening emergency or not.
All IMHO and about personal views/decisions. Only about how you might
view advice on GML, not about how you should enjoy GML. Nor how you
should deal with your responsibility to your animals.
