This AM, a software developer comes over to fix my computer he had just bought a new dimmer for his living room lights. Doesn't even realize that you can't use a conventional dimmer with compact fluorescent lights. "They are the same, right?"[1]
[1] Add: By that, I mean he isn't aware of the things he isn't aware of.
Ease up on the geek rhetoric until you walk in his shoes.
Way to miss the point. There is no time where we are expected to understand the subtle differences of dimmers. Users of computers are quite frequently expected to know which operating system they have when following instructions just for operating a computer. They will also encounter certificate errors in day-to-day operations.
They shouldn't be expected to know that though. The problem is that software developers haven't managed to figure that out and just make things work for their customers the way electricians have. Can you imagine if you went to the store to pick up a replacement light bulb and you had to look up whether your house used AC or DC? It's such a basic difference, everyone should know, right?
[1] Add: By that, I mean he isn't aware of the things he isn't aware of.
Ease up on the geek rhetoric until you walk in his shoes.