Do you ever think your answers here on Yahoo might really effect someone life?

Question

If so would you give more thought to your answers?

Answer 1

Answers may not effect someones life, but they could effect someones mood.
So, if you cant say something positive then dont say anything at all.

Answer 2

I have answered some questions that I really gave careful thought to, mostly because the asker appeared to be young or was quite concerned about a health issue that needed a quite serious response.

With the younger askers, I think the answer I gave could have an effect on their life because kids tend to grab a little bit of information and blow it out of proportion - remember worrying that your steady date might be seeing someone else? And you haven't had a call from your steady for "hours and hours!". A young person can really get worked up over this, so a calm and reassuring response tends to be helpful, and often requires a lot of thought before hitting the 'submit' button.

Askers with health concerns also require a well-measured response. I don't know why, but it appears that everyone on earth has a friend whose response to health concerns is, "Aw, don't worry about it. Take a vitamin C and drink lots of green tea." Of course, a lot of the health related questions are just idle curiosity about natural body processes, but occasionally, someone will pop up with a polyp or fistula or irregular heartbeat that requires a response that does not cause alarm but still conveys an urgent need for the asker to go see a doctor right now.

This is a good question. Made me think.

Thanks! - Stuart

Answer 3

I sincerely hope that some answers of mine will help someone to see things in a different light or decide on a good course of action. That is why I always read the question with my mind, looking for the meaning behind the words - in other words why they might be asking the question, not just what they are asking.

I have had one or two people contact me to thank me for what I said and that is worth much more than the points, believe me.

If a question has been asked at all, one always has to consider that, however fatuous it may seem, it may have been asked in all sincerity. I usually give people the benefit of the doubt and if I feel I can give a good answer, I put as much thought as I can into it. It really isn't worth NOT doing so, for one's own sake as well as for the questioner's.

Answer 4

There are a few reasons why I am excited to participate in Yahoo Answers:

1. I love to learn (about anything). Going through the Borders bargain book racks is like being in a candy store for me; and I'm constantly surprised at what web sites I end up on, and what topics I'm reading about. (Talk about being Mr. Useless Trivia Guy...)

2. I love to apply knowledge and put it together in new ways. The questions people ask encourage me to do this and develop new insights.

3. People really need help, sometimes; and I really want to help them when they're in a rough spot. Not just with questions of simple knowledge, but often how to apply it to their situation. While I don't enjoy telling people what to do, I really do enjoy and feel that I am good at equipping them to make important and life-changing decisions.

As such, I really try NOT to give flippant answers, and I hate providing incorrect information -- I research what I can, if the issue is large enough and I'm unsure.

There are some times when I do catch myself just "answering" as part of the thrill of rattling off what I know; and when I realize it, I try to step back, see what the person is asking, and just giving them what they need rather than what I want.

I know my answers have had impact. I've had some personal correspondences afterwards with appreciate people; and people in some very emotionally tough situations have told me that my answer(s) gave them a lot to think about and were really helpful to them.

So somewhere, even at the times when I feel like my life is rather aimless and has little meaning, I can still remind myself that I am contributing to people in their times of need and making some sort of difference in their lives.

Answer 5

First off, I don't really think its a good idea to take advice from any random person. Yeah you can explain a problem but can you get across what you're feeling, how you're thinking exactly right. I don't think so. I think the reason for the questions though is so you an have an idea of what people think if they were in your situation. But the thing to understand is that they are not in your shoes and can't possible comprehend fully what is your problem because in the end its your decision to make. You need to evaluate whatever your problem is yourself and deal with it. I guess we just ask for advice just to relate to someone else out there.

Answer 6

Yes, I do believe that is effects peoples life. Therefore, I give a LOT of consideration to whether or not I have any experience to draw from before just answering the question. If I have no prior knowledge regarding their question, I stay out of it. Also, I let them know that it is MY experience and may not directly apply to their situation.

Answer 7

I am a firm believer in that I only answer questions that I can give an insighful answer, researched answer or knowledged answer to. If the question does not fit into one of those catagories, then I tend not to answer them. I feel that if I can give someone the answer to a question that fits into that catagory then even if I am not the "winner" of the points for best answer, at least I know that I attempted to help someone out with a problem that they had, if not they would not have asked the question.

Answer 8

I give a lot of thought, and test my links.
From the emails I have gotten, expressing relief, I have positively effected several people's lives.
I have suggested, on the BBS, that Answers have a moderated section.
Many are careless and thoughtless. I guess that they never need help, have thought of suicide, were never desparate.
For their sake, if they ever are, I hope that they get better care than they are now prepared to give, and learn from it.
Some will, some never will.

Answer 9

I do think that some people truely seek out honest opinions and Yes if you give an *appropriate* opinion or fact that it can indeed effect someones life, Although weeding thru some of the garbage may deter some people,

Answer 10

I really do believe that each answer I give I try to get to the point and give an answer that I truly believe in and/or can speak from my own experience. I believe that a lot of people here are honest and sincere people and do the same with their answers as I do mine.

Answer 11

I think without a doubt they will. You never know what is going on in a persons life, and this could be their way of reaching out. Also if you reflect on your own life, how many times did someone you did'nt know at the time say something that totally made your day. Conversely how many times did you say something that someone later told you made them feel better.