> other people with similar issues who stumble upon your thread might not realize that you have that additional context, and the answer is just as much for them

> other people with similar issues who stumble upon your thread might not realize that you have that additional context, and the answer is just as much for them as it is for you IMO, this is what books are for: advice for some form of large common denominators. And if I cite a book, I think it's fair game to assume I am familiar with its contents. And if you encounter my question and haven't read the book, I would hope you benefit just by knowing it exists and maybe even read it. > Secondly, even if you did fully elaborate your situation, it may be that there are people interested in trying to help who don't know the answer to X but do know the answer to Y, and by answering Y they are still providing more value than not answering at all. I mean, the longer a thread on slack is, the fewer people bother reading it all. And I have to read it as well before I know it's not actually helping me.