> Be kind. Don't be snarky. Converse curiously; don't cross-examine. Edit out swipes.
> Don't be curmudgeonly. Thoughtful criticism is fine, but please don't be rigidly or generically negative.
> Please don't fulminate. Please don't sneer, including at the rest of the community.
> Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith.
I really am hoping my comment reaches that curious soul, because I really believe kindness alone is insufficient given the context and behavior. Their failure is a failure of expectation. The way to correct for poorly aligned expectations is harshness, otherwise known as tough love.
If you really want to say that this is an attempt to reach out and teach a curious soul with tough love, then I believe you, because you've asked me to. But forgive me if the sheer crass of your words makes this a little hard to buy.
Was it really love going through your mind when you typed those words, or were you trying to put down someone who you thought deserved to be put down, and "tough love" came as a later, retroactive justification?
I choose to believe your word regardless, but I would urge you to take heed of the "love" part of "tough love" more, next time.