Why do inflammatory questions get more answers?

Question

For example when someone posts something racist, sexist, or against homosexuals it gets 75 answers. Why do we pay so much attention to people who piss us off? Aren't we just giving them the attention that they want without really proving our point since the asker only wants to piss us off.

True I did answer my own question, but I wanted to see what other people thought.

Answer 1

Because it not only pisses us off but, it touches a nerve and pushes our buttons so to speak! Maybe, we think by answering these sick individuals, we get some sort of satisfaction getting to tell them off, that some sort of justice has been served in the process. When in all reality we know that they will continue to perpetrate their crime on humanity again and again because of their warped mentality.

Answer 2

As soon as the couple of people who felt strongly offended by the question post their responds, other bypassers, who probably don't have a strong opinion about the subject, will also start fanning the flame (it's free points for them anyway). You are definitely right, the best way to combat these askers is to ignore them, and report them. Their objective is not to post a question but make a statement, so there is no question to answer. We don't want to culture these kind of ignorance in the YA community and corrupt the mind of the other members.

So in conclusion: as soon as we see these kind of questions, report it and get the user banned. Period.

And no, this is not squashing freedom of speech. Freedom of speech does not imply that you can infringe on the well-being of other members in the society. If one does not exercise his/her right within tolerable level, then everyone else has the right to remove this person from the society.

Answer 3

Why ask this question and then answer it yourself? It is because some stupid moron wants to piss you off and it gets so many peoples backs up that they have to answer to vent their feelings, like you say giving the moron the attention he craves, it would work much better if nobody rose to the bait.

I usually bypass such questions as I want to be in the minority answers rather than the majority (much better chance of ten points then) only joking I don't play for points I play because I have nothing better to do at the moment.

Answer 4

You have a very good point.
I do ignore posters that are putting up questions solely to irritate or incense people. You're right, answering them just feeds their egos. This would include the "poot" jerk.

However, if some has a rogue question that has a strong bias, I often try to show that not everyone shares this opinion. I try to get the questioner to think a little. It has actually worked with at least two people.

For your higher-level question, biased or inflammatory questions speak to our belief systems and other strong emotions. So people feel they need to share about these topics.

Answer 5

This is kind of a rhetorical question you're asking because inflammatory means that it gets people "hot and bothered." It would only make sense that an inflammatory question would generate more "heat" or in this case, action on Yahoo! Answers.

Answer 6

Because they are: interesting
fun
titillating
amusing
educational
provocative
endearing
empowering
etc.
I seem to get the most pleasure when I'm in the Religion
or Political categories.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!

Answer 7

Because it gives people with passionate opposing viewpoints a chance to let loose on an otherwise taboo topic. The fact that this is done anonomyously is even more arousing.

~Just My 0.02

Answer 8

1. Interest is stronger because emotions are invoked

2. People have to vent

3. It is entertaining

Answer 9

It's still about entertainment. Even when we are learning things we still want Yahoo Answers to entertain us. That is why I miss the EDNA'S.

Answer 10

Because our live is simply control by emotions.