Susan, I hear what you're saying, and agree with a lot of it. But as others have pointed out, if someone asks a question without extensive searching, it often genearates interest in an obscure topic. Also, it may perhaps let some of us know who else in the world shares our own interest in a specialist area. Yes, this may create clutter, and redundant information, but it may equally well draw attention to the latest ideas, which may have added something to things posted ;ong before.
    Whatever you do may well be wrong in some ways, and right in others. And the results are completely unpredictable. So, in my opinion, ask the question, and put up with a little abuse from the old curmudgeons.. Unless it is who wrote Dirty Old Town or This Land is Your Land, in which case, bloody well look it up.