Why do they do it?

Question

Why do people ask questions (particularly here) and just pick the one that reaffirms their belief? Do they ignore the facts or just are they just so pig headed they don't care? I'm not saying they should be picking mine, I'll admit when some one has a better answer then me, but if people can back up an answer with facts, why aren't they picked at best?

Answer 1

Because a lot of times, folks come here for validation. They don't really want to learn, or grow or experience new things. They just want someone to go "hey, you're absolutely right!". That way they can go about their lives feeling vindicated.

Not everyone is like that, but I've seen it a lot on this site. It ranks right up there with my biggest pet peeve. Willfull ignorance. If you don't know about something, that's just fine! Learn about it....all the facts, even if you don't agree. If you choose not to learn because you refuse to be wrong, or admit there is a problem, or just poke your head in the sand, that's willfull ignorance.

Answer 2

Because some people think they are right; they don't want to admit that someone else might be right, or even have a good argument. They just want affirmation that they are right.
It's because some people cannot accept that they might be wrong! That what they've been thinking/believing their entire lives is wrong!
Take Galileo: tried by the inquisition in 1633, bannished from the church & the land by the Pope--all because his scientific studies (mainly proving the Copernican heliocentric theory that the earth moved around the sun) were contradictory to what the church decided was fact. Contradictory to what the church DECIDED was fact (sound familiar?).
However, the church did make it all better *sarcasm* in 1992, by reversing the prohibition of teaching Copernican theory of 1616, thus annuling the 1633 'conviction'.
So--the point--have no fear: it will only take about 350 years for everyone to realize their mistakes and 'make it all better'.

Answer 3

Good point. Most of the answers I've seen here don't look like anything other than opinions. I think a lot of people believe in subjective truth, as in "I think this is true and therefore it is."
I've asked four questions that I would really like to know the answers to, but I've gotten very few real answers. I've answered many questions here and I've had several picked as best, but the answers that I think are my best ones don't usually get picked because I frequently ask the asker to expand his or her way of thinking and get out of their limited ideas. You sound intelligent. I'm going to look at some of your answers after I finish this. The good thing is that they don't delete all the other answers after choosing a "best" one and some of your wisdom still gets attrached to the question page. I've heard that asking a good question is more important to the search for knowledge than giving a popular answer. Keep giving answers- some people will still appreciate them and you still get 2 points just for answering. I've noticed that the more rhetorical questions aren't attracting good answers any more, so maybe the system is just going through an adjustment period as people learn to ask and answer. If you can tell me A) what value religion has in this lifetime or B) where to get high quality cowhide for making Japanese drums, I would select your answer as best.

Answer 4

You know. I'm one of those guys that leaves facts to support my answers and for the most part, mine isn't voted as best answer. I guess it just depends on how the person is feeling and if they don't want to face the facts, they vote for the one that helps them their cause or an answer that will make them feel better for doing what they did or going to do, even if it's all opinion based.

I guess just be considerate when giving an answer and look at both side of the issue and also comfort them. That's the best way because you're giving them a choice and also telling them that whichever decision they choose, it's up to them... you're only opening the door the for them, which door they walk through is up to them. People will be people and they'll choose the answer that best applies to their situation. Hope this helped.

Answer 5

Excellent question. I also see a lot of people just making statements - not really asking a question. I'm not sure if they just want others to - as you said - reaffirm their own believes, or if they are just preaching.

It would be nice if there were more actual questions here than some of the stupid crap that shows up with every other so-called question.

Answer 6

The way I see it is I answer a question truthfully and honestly from either factual info I find on the net, or from my own personal experience. I am all about educating people as to what being gay means and what the Leather community is about as well. If people don't like my answer, not my problem, I put it out there and if even 1 person takes something positive away from reading it, I have accomplished my goal. I know that sounds all high and mighty and pompous, but people who know me also know that I am not like that. Just try to have info for education is all.

Answer 7

It is just their opinion. Don't fuss about it, at first I didn't get picked for best answer even though I gave tons of info and told the truth about whatever they asked, but now I get a best answer almost everyday. Lots of good too, I'm at level 4 but you don't get anything for the points so why care. Just try to give good answers.

Answer 8

I think they just pick the answers that they themselves agree with or one that they believe in. I believe they are so pigheaded that they ignore the facts, or maybe they just do not care. What I don't understand is why the best fact filled answers, no matter whose answer it is, doesn't get picked as "best answer." Go figure...

Answer 9

Also, askers get to pick answers and need to when other readers don't vote. Vote more questions, and we'll get better best answers.

Answer 10

What else do they have to do to waste time, the computer has given us a new venue in the search for stupidity.