Why do so many people ask simple questions that can be answered just by searching Wikipedia or Google?

Question

Do you feel we have failed to teach these people how to learn for themselves? Have they lost their curiosity? Do they just want someone else to do the work for them?

I'd like to hear from the people asking these kinds of questions as well. Can you explain why you do it?

I like answering these questions and getting points, but I do wonder why someone doesn't just search and find that same 10 or 20 web-sites I do for themselves. Thoughts?

Answer 1

Part of the attraction is human interaction. A site is one sided where as asking people for answers is like being in a large group of people discussing the issue at hand. These days, the Internet has reduced human contact so there are many lonely people out there.

I ask questions here for opinions rather than answers I could find myself. I find it fascinating how many different spins one can get on a single issue. Being pretty much home bound due to illness, working from home, I enjoy the contact as much as the next person.

Answer 2

maybe they're new to the net, and don't know how, or maybe a friend told them to go to y-answers. when i first started doing geaneolgy, i needed all the help i could get, i was that clueless, and hadn't been on the net very much. through many kind people, i learned to do it on my own, mostly, with their help. i still see those same people asking others for help in finding a connection to a certain family member. we just kind of help each other out, if we can. their kindness is what made me want to help newbies, in any area. they just need a gentle push in the right direction, and i still do sometimes, too.

Answer 3

a) maybe they dont know about these sites (not google though everybody knows that)
b) maybe they are not, as you say, curious. I myself have found, that almost all question which doesnt concern relationships or something which the computer cannot imitate, can be found on sites like wikipedia.
Exception- If u cant learn something cause its too complicated, then yahoo answers is a good alternative, as the questions are answered by people who probably know it better.

Answer 4

Yeah ppl are really lazy now and they want everybody to do the work for them. A lot of things on here can be found on google or just some simple knowledge but people feels its easier just to ask.. but if you ask me if you look it up ur self you can learn better!

Answer 5

Good question, maybe for laziness, as said, or probably we want simple answers, in order to understand better exactly what we want to know, without searching through anything.

Something that is explained in simple words, like in a normal conversation, is easier to get.

Answer 6

I think people like the attention of asking the questions they are. Maybe want to make someone else feel intelligent and needed because of their ability to be able to answer these questions. Besides, it's meant to be fun. I wonder why people have gone to the extreme of "do it yourself, do it myself", when it is not only fun to do this but also socially needed to ask for help...steph

Answer 7

It is just a chat line. An opportunity to hear from pretty girls. It is such a pleasure when we see a glimmer of brains behind the beautiful avatar !

Answer 8

Because many do not know how to search, and don't even look to Yahoo for answers. I send some instructions on how to search, because even some who want to write software don't know how to search.
Do I think that they read it? No.

Answer 9

mostly for the points.
you can type the exact question in ask jeeves and come up with the answers you're looking for. so why here instead?
community? points? total lack of anything else to do?
mostly all 3 i think.

Answer 10

I think it's just fun to see how people answer. Though you may know the answer, someone may have a different perspective.