"This problem could easily be solved with a minute's thought but
thought is arduous and a minute is a long time"--can't remember who
said it.

Presumably, you would wish others to make that investment of a
minute's thought, before spreading rumors about *you*, rumors that
they suspect to be false.

Yet you won't do the same.

Why is that?

Probably because it's much more fun watching the self-righteous pedants get
hairs across their asses.