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...They'll do anything for their children.
Yes, most parents will and that's a good thing. However, there always are some parents who are textbook examples of what CS defines as an EW. This guy was a classic.
In the days before the Internet and Email we received a phone call from a gentleman who lived 1,200 miles away from the library. He had what he called a 'simple request' (don't they all?
)
His daughter needed a report on Roman Aqueducts. With Ballet, Soccer and what-not, she didn't have the time to do it. All he wanted us to do was write up a nice little essay she could copy in her own handwriting and present in class.
We didn't think that would happen for several reasons and told him why.
1) Your child is 12 years old.
2) You live in a large city. I know, from personal experience, that this place has an excellent Public Library system. Even at a small branch library, your daughter should be able to find all she needs for her report with a visit of less than an hour.
3) Given the above, there is no need to contact a World-Class Library almost half a continent away from you and ask the people there to provide a ready-made essay your child can copy and hand in.
He did not get it. What follows is a rough approximation of the phone call.
Me:
or 
take your pick.
SC: The very not happy Dad.
SC: Aw, C'mon, Lady! Don't you want to help a little kid?
Me: Yes sir, we do. We'll be happy to fax you a list of sources that are almost certainly available in her school or local public library. However, we will not write the essay for your daughter. Assignments like this are designed to teach children how to do research.
SC: I pay your salary! You will give me what I need or I will report you!
(Ah, the Classic wail of the thwarted EW! To whom will you report me? My boss is listening to this call on an extension and giving me a thumbs-up at the audacity of this guy. )
Me: Sir, actually you don't pay my salary. We receive Federal grants from time to time for special projects. My salary isn't included in that. I'm paid by a private endowment. Government city money has nothing to do with my salary.
SC: Thanks for nothin'! I thought you guys would help but you're worth S**t! (Phone Slams down)
Me: (to myself) Bye Sir and the feeling is mutual.
Yes, most parents will and that's a good thing. However, there always are some parents who are textbook examples of what CS defines as an EW. This guy was a classic.
In the days before the Internet and Email we received a phone call from a gentleman who lived 1,200 miles away from the library. He had what he called a 'simple request' (don't they all?
)His daughter needed a report on Roman Aqueducts. With Ballet, Soccer and what-not, she didn't have the time to do it. All he wanted us to do was write up a nice little essay she could copy in her own handwriting and present in class.
We didn't think that would happen for several reasons and told him why.
1) Your child is 12 years old.
2) You live in a large city. I know, from personal experience, that this place has an excellent Public Library system. Even at a small branch library, your daughter should be able to find all she needs for her report with a visit of less than an hour.
3) Given the above, there is no need to contact a World-Class Library almost half a continent away from you and ask the people there to provide a ready-made essay your child can copy and hand in.
He did not get it. What follows is a rough approximation of the phone call.
Me:
or take your pick.SC: The very not happy Dad.
SC: Aw, C'mon, Lady! Don't you want to help a little kid?
Me: Yes sir, we do. We'll be happy to fax you a list of sources that are almost certainly available in her school or local public library. However, we will not write the essay for your daughter. Assignments like this are designed to teach children how to do research.
SC: I pay your salary! You will give me what I need or I will report you!
(Ah, the Classic wail of the thwarted EW! To whom will you report me? My boss is listening to this call on an extension and giving me a thumbs-up at the audacity of this guy. )
Me: Sir, actually you don't pay my salary. We receive Federal grants from time to time for special projects. My salary isn't included in that. I'm paid by a private endowment. Government city money has nothing to do with my salary.
SC: Thanks for nothin'! I thought you guys would help but you're worth S**t! (Phone Slams down)
Me: (to myself) Bye Sir and the feeling is mutual.
Some people should not have kids. That guy's teaching his child that academics comes second to her various extra-curricular activities and she can cheat her way through school if she's too busy to do any work.
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