Why do people choose as best answer the one who tell them what they want to hear?

Question

I mean why most of the people who ask for advice do not actually want to learn from other people who are willing to share their experience?

I was in doubt how to categorize my question - I hope that Religion & Spirituality will help most.

for those who were very quick to fight back to me rather than being constructive : I was NOT complaining why my answers are not chosen as best. I simply reviewed several resolved questions and that was my feeling about it ....

Thank you, Randy. For aproaching to me as a human being....

great answers, indeed, and one who is a sumum of all !

Answer 1

Some people do, but some people don't. I've noticed that too. It doesn't really make sense, but I suppose that's somewhat of a human instant reaction. People tend to want to flock toward the ones who don't oppose them. They have a hard time with opposition.
However, there are those of us who are the opposite. They are the ones who choose the people who disagree with them so as not to seem biased.
Then there's the people like me. I love a good debate. I love to argue my point. However, if someone else raises a good point, whether pro or anti my statement, I will give them the credit they deserve.
It basically depends on the person as to whom they choose to give the best answer to.
I did notice, however, that you did not say all people do this. You said, "most people" and from what I've seen on this site, that is pretty much true, but then again I haven't heard from everyone on this site, so I cannot stereotype everyone according to those standards.
Basically, everyone has their opinions, as well as their own way of taking in opposition and new information and thoughts and ideas...but like you I don't understand why someone would ask a question if they didn't genuinely want answers. This is Yahoo! Answers, not Yahoo! Everyone agree with me, or your opinion doesn't count!

The best questions to answer are the ones you know the most about and can give an honest, straightforward, non-discriminating response to. If someone asks, "Why do you people believe this?" or something like that, it's fine to answer and give your opinion, but you probably shouldn't count on recognition. Those types of questions are usually from biased people who aren't really open to any idea other than their own.

Just answer questions with your opinion, but don't attack the asker. That definitely seals it there.

Well, I hope this has helped you somewhat. Good luck!

Answer 2

A good point from the view you seem to favor, but in my opinion you only made reference to one side of the whole issue. It seemed to me you were asking about the chosen best answer when the asker makes the choice. You know there is a best answer chosen also by the participants. Thus in my opinion I will put both into the same answer.

Where is logic today? What happened to reasoning? Are there any thinkers left in the world? If I use this Q&A as my only guide I think they are almost all gone.

I ask those questions because my simple answer to your question is misery loves company or birds of a feather love to flock together for one view. The other view is flattery will get you everywhere and feeling sorry for the asker and pretending like the asker is correct will aid in getting more best answers.

In pure truth I do see a lot of very serious questions but I seldom see a straight reasonable answer in which the one who does answer is a giver and not a taker. I see many motivated answers that are directed to proving the one who did answer is so full of knowledge that by the time the answers is finished I guess he or she forgot the question. I say that because too many of the answers I do read are in no way related to the question.

Now you do consider this also. When do you come here to this site and Q&A? Are you here to play, pass time, or be serious trying to share with others or to benefit yourself? Is it all your time, your spare time, or is it a schedule just to have some fun or pleasure? I see too many who come here to relax, play, have fun at the expense or others, preach sermons because no one around them will listen to them, or for many other assorted reasons mainly to satisfy personal egos. I seldom see an answer where the one who does answer is truly posting absolute concern for the asker or even trying to understand the question.

How many times I got answers that were all so far away that I could not pick a best answer because it was even a good answer. So I picked a best answer for another motive to fulfil a desire I had. Sorry but what can one do when all in my opinion showed no thought or reason. If I did ask or post, the rules are I can pick the best for any reason I want.

Sorry my friend if I did not answer your question the way you want it answered. I just gave my view and did enjoy doing it. I did try to think a little eventhough you may think I did not.

Have a great day.

Answer 3

Well, some only ask questions not to gain knowledge or because they are truly seeking an honest answer, but simply for attention and to fit in. I've come across endless questions that had very detailed, explanative answers, however the asker chose some answer that remotely had anything to do with the question. Usually you can tell these people from the way they ask their questions, and I generally ignore them and move on to more serious questioneers. They occasionally slip through, but best to just ignore the obvious ones (which are so many).

Answer 4

I've chosen answers that do not reflect my beliefs, but did provide a useful answer to my question.

I've chosen "no best answer" when all the answers are irrelevant.

I've chosen those who provided the answer to a rhetorical question.

And I like to cite others whose answers made my choice more difficult.

I've also been chosen by people whose beliefs are not a reflection of mine.

Certainly there are those who give less thought to the answers they pick: you win some and you lose some.

Of course, you can vote on an answer, and provide a comment as well. So feedback is the option to take when you disagree with a best answer.

Answer 5

Well honey, I guess the first thing I wondered when I read your question was "what else would they pick?".

If you look at a question closely you can easily determine if someone is truly asking a question or really just wanting their opinion verified by the witness of others. Someone giving an opinion in the form of a question can gain you 10 points just by agreeing with them lol.

True questions are usually open-ended, asking things "Where can I find..." or "Can someone explain what this means?".

Answer 6

FIGHT THE JUSTIFICATION SYSTEM!!!!

(Don't know if that is always true...I have chewed some people up, and they still have picked my rant as the best. Go figure.)

However, what I think you have run into here is just that people are using this as a justification system. They justify their inane actions with what "uninvolved outsiders" think. They they can say, "See, it's not just me!"

I think it takes a brave person to admit that someone telling you, that your an a-ss, is right. Most brave or strong people wouldn't be on Yahoo answers asking strangers to guide their lives. Bitchy, but true. Most of us just want to tell everyone what we think!

There is the justification system at work. I'm right, huh? (giggle)

Answer 7

This question should have gone under the Yahoo Answers category. But people don't want to learn anything, that's why they pick answers that just tell them what they want to hear. They're not interested in actually learning something.

Answer 8

because they do not really want an answer, they are just looking for confirmation of what they want to believe. I have had people ask me the same question several time hoping my answer would change, and then believe what they wanted to in the first place.

Answer 9

i guess the same people don't even read all the answers.Just looking at it's beginning...if it is something that suits their thoughts that's enough.
Or maybe it's because the question is formed for a purpose.I mean actually it's not a question it's a way of showing their thoughts.They only want approval.
These might be the reasons

Answer 10

That's not entirely true. I have had several answers chosed as best, even though they were entirely contrary to what the asker was proposing.

Some people here are intellectually honest. Not many... but a few.