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There seems to be a tendancy towards video that undercuts the "old internet". I prefer instructions in a text or list format, but that's almost impossible to fi

There seems to be a tendancy towards video that undercuts the "old internet". I prefer instructions in a text or list format, but that's almost impossible to find for things like, changing the headlight bulb on my traverse. 1. turn the wheel so it is pointed hard in the direction of the bulb you are changing. 2. remove the hex screws from the shroud in the wheel well 3. pull the shroud down, it's pretty flexible plastic. 4. reach up and change the bulb. The wires are a bit short so you might need to get both hands in there. I have big hands and I'm able to do it. ---- There are innumerable videos explaining this process, but very few text directions.

Jiro 4y ago
Even something like that flounders on the question "these instructions say to pull down the shroud, what is a shroud?" or "I can't find those hex screws, where are they located?" Repairs are inherently visual, although text with illustrations might work.
ElevenLathe 4y ago
I think this is actually because real, fluent literacy is still rare even in highly developed places. It may be easier for a very literate someone to dash off those instructions but most people are 1000x more comfortable making a little video. Same goes for reading vs watching the video. This is my same theory about meetings being universally preferred to asynchronous email, even when literally all the questions someone asks at a meeting have already been answered in my long form email. Most people, even if they can read, are not really comfortable with it. Doubly so for writing. There used to be no choice to function in society, but increasingly we can use technology to substitute for reading and writing effectively, so people do.
- pnutjam 4y ago
  You're probably right, it's just so frustrating. I think I'm going to start compiling stuff like this in my git repo.

Jiro 4y ago

Even something like that flounders on the question "these instructions say to pull down the shroud, what is a shroud?" or "I can't find those hex screws, where are they located?" Repairs are inherently visual, although text with illustrations might work.

ElevenLathe 4y ago

I think this is actually because real, fluent literacy is still rare even in highly developed places. It may be easier for a very literate someone to dash off those instructions but most people are 1000x more comfortable making a little video. Same goes for reading vs watching the video. This is my same theory about meetings being universally preferred to asynchronous email, even when literally all the questions someone asks at a meeting have already been answered in my long form email. Most people, even if they can read, are not really comfortable with it. Doubly so for writing. There used to be no choice to function in society, but increasingly we can use technology to substitute for reading and writing effectively, so people do.

pnutjam 4y ago
You're probably right, it's just so frustrating. I think I'm going to start compiling stuff like this in my git repo.