OK now, this craigslist ad I just came across illustrates my other post about students not doing their own work. But it also speaks to other pet peeves: People who think they know how long it takes to write, even if they're incapable of doing it themselves -- and people who expect quality but haven't a clue what it's worth:
"I need someone to write a simple, but unique persuasive speech of about 4 minutes in length. The topic is yours to choose, but we will need to agree on it before you begin. This shouldn't take more than a half hour to crank out for an experienced writer as I have an outline to follow, but lack the creativity. Please contact me if you are interested; I need this done ASAP.
* Compensation: $4.44 by PayPal "
Hey, do you think we could use this approach universally?
Let's line up somebody with a kid who can't help putting things up his nose. We go to the doctor's office and tell the M.D. that we've seen it done on TV and it should only take 2 minutes -- if he's a good doctor. Then we say, we'll pay him 30 cents. Not a penny more.
Do you see the docs lining up for this job?
This drives me crazy. I don't claim to be the best writer, but my degree in journalism did teach me some valuable skills. Which is worse - the people who don't value your writing skills or the people who think they can write but can't?
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