An Ode To RTFM
We live in an age of instant gratification. Everyone wants everything RIGHT NOW. No one has time for anything anymore.
I get it. Information overload is real. There’s too much noise and not enough signal. Writing documentation is a tedious, thankless job.
I’m sure that girl I went to college with who wanted to become a technical copywriter would rather watch paint dry now.
But here’s the thing — there is still no faster way to get information than by reading. Period.
People these days seem to think learning from YouTube tutorials or TikTok videos is the way. That it’s more engaging than boring text. Well I’ve got news for you — it’s slow as molasses compared to reading.
A 10 minute video tutorial could be condensed into a 2 minute read if it was just written out.
This is where RTFM comes in.
The Origins and Value of RTFM
For the uninitiated, RTFM stands for “Read The F***ing Manual”. It originated in tech circles, where it was the standard response to clueless questions that could be easily answered by cracking open the documentation.
Legend has it that RTFM was coined by a disgruntled IBM engineer in the 1940s. Frustrated by stupid questions from customers who clearly hadn’t bothered to consult the meticulously prepared manuals, he would angrily mutter “RTFM!” under his breath. The phrase caught on among his fellow techies and eventually spread to the wider world.
And for good reason.
RTFMing, when done right, is incredibly valuable:
- It allows you to get answers and solve problems quickly, on your own, without having to rely on others.
- It gives you a deeper understanding of the product or system you’re using. You learn its ins and outs, its quirks and capabilities.
- It makes you more self-sufficient and less helpless. If you run into issues down the line, you’ll be better equipped to troubleshoot them yourself.
Most importantly, RTFMing saves everyone time. It saves you from waiting around for someone else to help you. And it saves experts from having to answer the same basic questions over and over again.
Embracing the RTFM Mindset
So why don’t more people RTFM? Well, as I said, we’re an instant gratification culture now. People want the path of least resistance. They want to be spoonfed, not dig for information themselves.
There’s also a perception that manuals are boring, confusing, and poorly written. And to be fair, many of them are. But that’s not an excuse. The information is still there for those willing to parse through it.
If we want to be more productive, more efficient, more self-reliant — we need to embrace RTFMing. We need to foster a culture that values and encourages it.
Next time you’re about to ask someone a question or search for a tutorial — stop.
Check if the answer is in the manual first.
Take a few minutes to read through the relevant sections.
Chances are, you’ll find what you need.
And you’ll be a better person for it.
