Should Yahoo Answers institute a "gateway" that requires you to pass basic grammar/writing skills?

Question

What's the point of a forum created to disseminate knowledge if morons who can't write/spell/think can post crapola like, "which 1 of my eyes do u like better?"

How about a new website - Yahoo Obnoxious Answers to Stupid Questions

Answer 1

Your question reveals something interesting: in American culture (I'm assuming you're American) people think that the way you use language is connected to the way you think. Being able to write "better" is somehow a sign that you think better, too.

This is not so in all cultures. For example, in Japan, people who don't speak frequently are considered to be the most intelligent.

As a linguist, I have spent time studying the intricacies of the way people use language. All linguists recognize that language is highly patterned. People are incredibly savvy in the way that they use language for their personal benefit. Did you know that we can actually predict the thing that another person is going to say to us and start responding to it before the speaker finishes the utterance? And this is something that ALL normal human beings can do.

Although I agree with you that not all questions on Yahoo! Answers are of interest to me, I don't think that anyone has communication in his/her back pocket. So, I don't agree with you that people are lacking in basic language skills. Instead, I submit that your prejudice against the way people use language is prejudice against those people, and the language is just an excuse for you not to like them. I think that's a shame.

Answer 2

Well yes, that would improve my Yahoo experience immensely. But I know you will be called a snob and "grammar nazi" for even suggesting this.

I recall that the main way that I learned proper spelling and grammar was to see examples of correct usage. Therefore I believe the more correct examples we show to learners, the better.

This could also be possibly solved by having a "teen chat" section and an "adult chat" section. Anything goes in the teen section, but in the adult section, you are expected to post adult questions with comprehensible and thoughtful content. I'm sure many of the "instant gratification" folks would run screaming from the "adult" section.

Answer 3

No, I like some of the goofy questions. It's fun and stupid. I like the serious questions too, and the good answers, but a little stupidity goes along with a public forum. They get harrassed about it anyway, it probably helps improve some people's language usage.

Answer 4

LOL, I agree with you. Or maybe if they misspell words too many times, they get zipped back to the beginning of level one. Or, maybe they should have one answer section for people 21 and over and one for 20 and under. That way we'd have fewer of the really stupid questions, like those dealing with penis size.

Answer 5

People are just so lazy now and days. But i agree with you. It is not that hard to type out a whole word or click on "Check Spelling." I guess people don't give a crap anymore.

Answer 6

Yes, you would think that they could at least use the spell check to fix their spelling. But, it would be boring without the moronic questions.

Answer 7

LOL i think people should have to pass a test to see whether they even have a clue about the English language LOL!!!!
sometimes it can get sooooo ridiculous on this site!

Answer 8

Hell yes there should be! It would get rid of, say, Italiandude2425, with whom I'm been having a flame war for the last week.

Dammit, now I'm imagining happy things.

Answer 9

I'd settle for a ban on those shortcut words like they are running out of space or something hehe

Answer 10

you come HERE to disseminate knowledge? You might have the wrong place for that; lighten up.