Why are the most stereotypical and "faithful" answers always chosen as best answers?

Question

When I ask a question, I don't look for an answer that is too similar to my opinion. It does play a part, but I'd rather find another interesting view or a good point and give points to that person for the "best answer".

It really bugs me when somebody's like, "DO YOU LOVE GAWD HE IS SO AWESOME?"

And then stupid people are like I AM SOLD FOH GAWD AND I HOPE THAT JEEZER COMES SOON TO SAFE MY PITIFUL DAMNED LIFFE and then the get 10 points for the best answer, and the asker comments:

"GAWD WILL SURLY SAFE YOU'RE LIFE U JUST B LEAVE IN HIM AND HE WE MAKE SURE YOU GO TO HEAVUN AND COULD MY ENGLISH AND IRITASHUN GET ANY WURSE?

I prefer an answer that has correct English, a good point, and not biased. Not saying those above were. It also bugs me when people say "I dunno" or whatever just to get two points, but I suppose that can't be helped.

Time for your replies! Although I'm sure a large percentage will be stupid.

In addition! I do not need point, or care for them for that matter. I am not mad because of my answers "not getting chosen" or anything like that. I am merely wondering.

Ha. Hahahahah! I knew that was coming! "I don't understand what you say, and I feel like you're insulting me so I'm going to call you a jerk."

Look people, I'm not trying to start a fight, and I'm not targeting anybody. But posting an answer to a question that only insults me insults your own intelligence, if you have any.

Answer 1

For the same reason so-called "push polls" exist: to confirm a person's prejudices and beliefs, by rewarding those who agree and condemning those who do not. In a "push poll" the so-called survey begins like this:

"While Republicans have been protecting America against external aggressors and bringing renewed hope to all who are proud to call the American flag their own, Democrats have had another agenda. Don't you feel that Republicans are the only party that can truly represent America's values and its needs for the 21st century?"

Then, after asking such loaded, slanted, conservatively-framed questions, the pollster reports the "results" as "objective". Or take Lou Dobb's nightly polls. He regularly receives 96% approval for his pet ideas (although in fairness to him, he does not claim the poll is scientific). Sequence, framing, context, are all components to non-random bias which yield results which are pre-ordained. If you go to a televangelist taping, and you don't believe that shelling out some money will "save you", people denounce you as a nonbeliever. That goes just as well if you went to a synagogue or mosque.

The sociologically relevant question for me is why people always find new ways to exclude some people while including others. For the aforementioned "push polls" the answer is quite easy: you want to get your supporters to give you money and/or political support. Your audience is already there.

For religions, I guess a similar dynamic obtains. You have a set of adherents (Christian, Jew, Muslim) who already believe in certain doctrines. But you want to increase the activism of those adherents, bring in more money, and bring in even more adherents. You don't win them over by saying "God will save you even if you aren't a Christian/Jew/Muslim, because God is all -loving." If they said that then people would start thinking "Hmm, well if I am NOT going to Hell, then I guess I needn't be a Christian/Jew/Muslim because all that matters is that I am a good person." But that truth isn't helpful economically.

So, religions create reasons to divide people so thatthose who do believe feel special and entitled, all the more likely to shell out their money. Those who post questions here, only to reward those who agree with their opinions, are doing the same thing on a smaller scale. Most are simply brainwashed into thinking these things, but some know better, but realize that division helps draw a good crowd (i.e. Bush versus the gays).

Answer 2

Well you see, I have a problem with some of the things you said in this question. For instance, you seem to be looking for intellectual stimulus by finding an interesting view point instead of seeking to find the truth about what you are asking. That is of course your prerogative but personally I try to give answers that I know are correct instead of just telling people what I think they might find interesting.

Another thing that you say you are looking for is an answer that is not "biased". What does that mean exactly? Does that mean that if a person answers a question in the religion section and they quote the Bible then they have a bias because they believe that God's Word is the ultimate repository of truth?

As to your complaint about poor spelling, I would point out that people who come to Yahoo Answers to ask questions are by default admitting that they suffer from ignorance. If you don't have the patience to deal with people's shortcomings then you are not going to have what it takes to teach someone who is lacking in knowledge.

In regards to people who pick answers as best answers because they like to share in their praises for God, while I can understand that propensity, as a Christian I pick answers as best answers based upon how well a person has done in providing accurate and specific information that relates to the question that has been posed. But to each his or her own, for as it is written...

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4

Answer 3

I choose the one that I think best answers my question, even if I don't agree with it. But if I ask for a Christian viewpoint, then I will most likely choose a Christian answer that explains well the viewpoint, even if it is not mine.

If I ask a general question where all religions can give a viewpoint, then I'm much more likely to choose the answer that is closest to the way I see things. I obviously think that my own view is the "best" or I wouldn't have that view! I'm sure that many people think along similar lines when choosing best answers.

Answer 4

I attempt to use proper English, and have even been seen using proper capitalization, as well as the spell checker from time to time.

For reasonable questions, I attempt well thought out responses.

I have more 'best answers' than I am aware of, and have to check the score to see how many I actually have.

Not only am I a nonconformist, and unfaithful, but I'm an unrepentant atheist and anarchist. I get selected from time to time for best answer by the faithful nonetheless.

However, it's human nature to gravitate toward people who look, act, and think like you. From an evolutionary perspective, such people are more likely to be carrying some of your own genes, so it makes sense to show them favoritism.

Answer 5

well, you are correct in my opinion. So many people dont even read the entire question. They just answer with "GOD IS LOVE, THERE IS ONLY ONE"...WTF?? Is that an answer? They sound like a F.ING robot! I mean damn, what is the point of answering a question unless you contribute something? I would say that the reason why the "faithful" answer is always chosen is because they want to prove that someone agrees with them, which in all actuality, just proves they are all sheeple.

Answer 6

Well if you feel that way,hey more power to ya.all the questions I have read our in English and all I see on the question is someone who is crying about something some dumb.ya know what?it's people like you that are the cause of the hatefulness that is going on in this world.no one is perfect,so people mi misspell some words,so what! you sure act like you understood what they were talking about,and your acting like a child about it.grow up and get a real life.and quit being so hateful.or maybe you need to find a different category to ask question and comments.jerk.

Answer 7

I agree. I pick what I think is the best answer I hope and take everyone opinions in. I find it annoying when I ask a question and someone answers with "I dunno this has never happened to me etc sorry I can't help." Although there is a spell check for when u answer a question I find it difficult coz there isn't a spell check for add details when u post a question, which is difficult coz i have dyslexia.

Answer 8

Agreed on the rant. And I think you answered your own question. They are looking for the pat-on-the-back and the one they like the most will get the 10 points. I'm not so sure everyone here is actually looking for any kind of answers. It appears to be more ego stroking than anything.

Answer 9

Sincere questions yield themselves to sincere answers. The people in the R&S section of YA who have something legitimate to offer (in my opinion) don't answer every question that comes down the pike. They typically only answer when they have something legitimate to contribute, and as a result, you don't necessarily see their answers very often.

However, this does not give any of us license to ridicule those who's thinking processes tend to be on the less complex side of things. For some, all they really know in their lives is "I once was blind, but now I see!" To them, that is the quintessential statement of purposeful existence, and if that is all the have, God bless them for sharing what they have. We should do as well to concisely and accurately summarize our thoughts for others.

Answer 10

At the risk of being stupid by answering your question, its unlikely that your going to find unbiased answers on here, you know what your getting into when you do these things, grow up. Also, if you want your answer chosen you might try not acting so stuck up. It is an act, right?