The stated intention of the post was for some nonthreatening advice to those who might whine in lieu of action, or that's what I was trying to get across. The action I take is explained in the post as well - these conversations don't often come from the same people because, as you might imagine, they wander off when they don't get the feedback they hoped for. The action results in those people not whining to me.

Interesting point that the whining is their coping mechanism. If that's their best approach and it allows them to deal with a situation it might be a good thing; more likely it is not as they fail to improve their situation. I'm more worried about the danger of people being stuck in patterns of self-consoling or receiving empty affirmation instead of taking action.

I am not seeing the inconsistency but it was an interesting observation.