Re: Bono's question, would a John Doe get 29K answers 4 the same question?

Question

Yahoo Answers has 10 million participants who ask for responses from the most mundane to truly intellectual questions every day. A "Featured Question" on the home page averages one day's attention and can garner a large reader response. Bono's Featured Question has been advertised for 3 days and received 29,000+ answers. Would an anonymous Y.A. participant asking the same question of elimination of poverty remain a Yahoo Featured Question? Are respondents reacting primarily to Bono's celebrity status or to the humanitarian subject itself?

P.S. I'm not referring to John Doe from the band "X", as one answerer thought. I said "a John Doe" as in the average person.

Answer 1

Well you can see the reaction here. Nobody cares if its a nobody but if its Bono everyone listens with interest. Which is why he must continue doing what he is doing. But yes they are reacting to his celebrity status

Answer 2

there are alot of people that answers questions here an so many times people made comments on what do we get?are we appreciated? for yahoo answers. so they gave us a month of celebrity questions in which all had thousands of answers and the winner was going to get a prize for the best answer that has alot to do with the amount of answers as well as the fact they asked good meaningful questions.it shouldnt matter if it were bono or john doe because now 29,000+ people are more aware of poverty then they were before.john doe wouldnt have got as much answers ,so celebrity status does have something to do with it but it dosent rule out the humanitarian because it wasnt just any celebrity asking it was someone that actually donates alot of time and effort to the cause way before he asked this question so he had the right to ask even if itr werent bono if more celebrities were that sincere the world would be better and more balanced.people responded because he is a celebrity that is a humanitarian that makes a difference and will take there ideas seriously.

Answer 3

Are people answering it just because Bono's a celebrity?!? Of course some would have!! But probably not most, I would say. I assume since you've asked the question, surely you know how much Bono has done for those people in poorer countries - in the areas of AIDS, Economically disadvantaged countries, families who can't get enough food to provide for the whole family, people who are starving and sick and too poor to do anything about it. Yes - Bono's done a great deal. Perhaps if people knew that John Doe had done a huge amount for these people, maybe he'd get a large response rate too. You'll also note that a lot of the negative responses seemed to be from people who thought that Bono was just some rich, stupid celebrity. I think, though, that Bono is extremely clever - he's cleverly used his fame to influence politicians, other celebrities and people just like John Doe, who suddenly realize that they can actually do something helpful in the quest to eradicate extreme poverty around the globe.

Answer 4

Yes if any other nut-job sitting in the basement all day contemplating "the true meaning of democracy" and "how to save others from poverty" it would get no attention what so ever other than the common question with 10 answers.

It's starting to get to me how some1 who cares so much about the world doesn't do anything but put up a web page donate 1 percent of his profits of some lame clothing design he thought of and ask a question on yahoo, to stop all of it.

It's the Cameron Diaz story all over again...

Answer 5

Bono's question is indeed relevant.Take celebrity out of this! At least I know he is not the first person to seek answers to the eradication of Poverty.It has been on the minds of every citizen of the so-called 3rd world. It has appeared on various summits and the debate must continue. Thank you Yahoo. Poverty can be eliminated if the rich (nations & individuals) would behave like real caring Parents who can't bear to see their children suffer, let alone Abuse or Cheat them.There are enough resources to sustain 6+ billion inhabitants.Education would lead to eradication.

Answer 6

I would answer if John Doe asked a question, he's an amazing musician (his own music and used to be in the band X) and actor (Check IMDB). Great, sexy voice too. Well, I would answer if it was a good question and I had a decent answer for him.

I'm not a huge Bono fan but it was a good question and I'm happy it got that many people thinking.

Answer 7

Of course the tremendous response was due to his celeb status. An anonymous YA participant would not get such a response. As they say in the media industry- nothing sells like showbiz!

Answer 8

I was actually answering the question itself. I don't listen to U2. I can't even think of a single single song. I am interested in the poverty issuse. It is a problem and it does need to be addressed. Someones celebrities status doesn't impress me. Minds impress me.

Answer 9

I think it has to do with all of the above. Because it has been firstly a featured question, secondly not a "am I cute" kind of meaningless question, and lastly it is supposed to be Bono. I personally did not even reply to his question :)

Answer 10

no i dont think they care so much as to ending poverty as to leaving a message for bono...who i think is a hypocrite anyway cuz he makes 50 times what he gives to charity...if he was so concerned he should give closer to 95% of what he makes to charity...that would help eliminate poverty, not asking ppl what they should do cuz obviously he already has the resources but chooses not to use them all.