(1) I refuse to answer the following sorts of questions:
Qs I don't feel qualified to answer.
Qs the asker can easily websearch for themselves.
Qs the answer to which the asker seems too stupid to understand.
Qs that are intentionally stupid (unless they are also clever and funny).
Qs that are clearly asked to get attention rather than information.
Qs by askers whose command of English is so poor (not necessarily from stupidity) that they are unlikely to understand the answer.
(2) Questions I do answer:
Qs that are unintentionally stupid because the asker is confused, but seems intelligent.
Qs that are cliches (like, "What is the meaning of life?"). I answer them because cliches are usually also very relevant and in need of answering.
What I'm after are sorts (in both categories) I haven't already mentioned, and reasons for or against answering or not answering.
2006-07-11 14:05:39 · 14 answers · asked by brucebirdfield 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
There's four main types of question I don't answer:
1. Ones that I can't answer 100% honestly (eg what's your favourite sexual fantasy?). No point in answering if I'm just going to be coy or vague.
2. Ones that ask for my real name, date of birth, Yahoo ID or location. Security reasons.
3. Ones that are just plain offensive (you know which ones I mean!). They are going to be deleted by YA anyway.
4. Ones that I can't understand because of English language difficulties, or because they are written in SMS text code. I'm too old to learn SMS code, and I'm not qualified to help someone with ESL issues.
Other than that, everything is fair game, including the same old questions which get asked again and again. (Is God real? Why does He let bad things happen? Is my penis too small? Are my breasts too big?)
I don't mind doing simple web searches for people, because often they are just kids, and they haven't yet worked out how to look in Wikipedia or to Google it.
2006-07-11 14:20:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 1⤋
"Qs by askers whose command of English is so poor (not necessarily from stupidity) that they are unlikely to understand the answer."
You are on the "World Wide Web", not the 'English Wide Web'. Get used to people not speaking English. It's called diversity. Many people, myself included, think very highly of it. There is no rule anywhere on Yahoo! that you must be fluent in English to use the services.
2006-07-11 14:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by sphere_68 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I follow roughly the same policy.
I do however often answer questions people could easily search for themselves because a lot of people don't know how to use google very well or can't be bothered to trawl through tonnes of hits and I just think, hey if I know the answer I may as well tell them.
2006-07-11 14:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I enjoy the questions that force me to think in order to make a sensible reply. The 'what if' questions, the questions involving imagery and creativity and stretching of the human mind to envision more are favorites. I ignore the mundane type, most that contain poor grammar, and those that are simply dumb IMO. There doesn't seem to be any reason to waste the time to respond to those.
2006-07-11 14:29:11 · answer #4 · answered by CosmicKiss 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you mean when you say "we"?
It sounds cult-like. Are you saying that "we" should all answer (oe not answer) the same questions?
Personally, I answer Qs that I feel I could be of some help. I also answer Qs for a laugh and I ignore those asking questions that are of (in my opinion) poor taste.
Then there are questions like yours--I like to answer with more questions. Does that answer your question?
2006-07-11 14:29:08 · answer #5 · answered by Amie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Questions that are followed by a long explanation, demonstrating that the asker already has an answer in mind but wants to make a "point" with their question.
2006-07-11 14:11:26 · answer #6 · answered by timm1776 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why do u judge??? stupid not stupid?? Why dont u answer only the questions you feel like to answer?
I thought u were more intelligent and funny yourself but with all this classification of i answer this and dont answer that, u have deceived me...Is it possible to claim back the points i give to you by answering one of my questions?????
2006-07-11 14:52:53 · answer #7 · answered by whoknows 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Meh. My criteria changes daily.
"I will only answer questions I'm interested in"
2006-07-11 15:31:55 · answer #8 · answered by -.- 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't forget that "WE" shouldn't answer the basic of basic questions: who I am?
"Who I am" is not a question that is resolved within the context of a we understanding, but rather one solved on ones own.
hope i was helpful,
~M
2006-07-11 14:10:01 · answer #9 · answered by M 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I answer anything that catches my eye, Like this one.......lol
2006-07-11 14:09:13 · answer #10 · answered by tattie_herbert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋