Dear stranger: Help me with my homework?
About a year ago I posted some photos of first editions I own on flickr.
Just today, I received this email:
"I have a hardback copy of the sixth edition of the 1955
publishing of Lolita by Olympia Press/Putnam but it's
missing the jacket, is there anyway you could photograph
the front and back covers so I can see what they look like
and post/email to me? I'm working on a design assignment;
my email is (removed out of respect for the sender)."
The line that really got me was:
"is there any way ..."
The wording is curious. I'm sure I can think of a way to scan or photograph my book then format and send to this person. I think the real question here is why, not how, I would undertake this.
As I read the above, I'm searching for some sort of awareness at the favour being asked, some acknowledgement of the imposition on my time - given that I am a stranger. I'm also wondering where the line is about how "eternally grateful" he/she would be if I did so.
This is not the first time I've received an email from a student in some far away place asking for my help on an assignment. I used to get messages like this on my old blog posts. I used to think it was cute. The format is usually the same: "hi stranger, read your stuff. Can you help me now with my homework." No awareness of imposition or etc.
I'm wondering who is responsible for teaching social graces and effective citizenship?
Parents? Teachers? Us?
Who is responsible to teach young people about participating in society - giving as well as taking, the social contract, reciprocity and etc? We could talk about entitlement and that sort of thing, but I think the larger issue is not whose to blame (clearly us), but what we can do to help them understand, relate to and empathize with others - beyond their own immediate needs.
So I'm leaving it to you, dear reader, to come up with the best response. One that indicates what's wrong with his/her approach in a lighthearted manner. I think there's a learning opportunity here, don't you?
