What should people watch for to make sure they aren't bated into answering questions designed to enflame them?

Question

I see so many people get bated and enflamed over questions of religion and political issues. Many times the originators of these questions are just trying to stir people up and when they get a large amount of answers to these questioners, they just look at it as a job well done. Surly it's good to promote thinking with questions, but it's quite the contrary to try to arouse people's anger by insulting their beliefs.

So I hope you can point out some things that will help people not get involved in answering these questions that create bitterness. Thank you.

Answer 1

My philosophy is to take the middle of the road and provide brief answers.

I tend to stay away from questions with many, many answers posted.

Answer 2

You're question is obviously well balanced but where you have a question that is short, pointed or is asking you to comment on hate, race, religion or colour it will generally not be worth looking at (unless you want to explain reality to them). The sad people who pose these questions get a kick out of thinking that they have upset someone. You should also look at the name of the person posting the question most would indicate that they wouldn't be able to come up with an intellectual argument for their own existence much less anything else. Failing that if the question is derogatory remember they'll get pleasure from you answering, deny them that.

Answer 3

If the asker is a level 1 with 2 posts, it's baiting. If the asker can't spell, create a sentence legibly, it's baiting. If they type in all caps and a lot of !!!!!! or ????? then it's baiting for the most part.

Also, read the question and ask yourself would a normal person post this question for real comment or is it just to get your knickers in a twist?

Either way it's good humor to read when people actually answer a crazy question with logic or reason. That's the funniest to me on this site.

Answer 4

This is a good question.

Generally speaking, the more outrageous a question (or answer) is, the more likely it's intended only to spark controversy. If you read something and your response is anger, recognise that, then decide whether you wish to join the flame war or pass on to someting creating a higher ratio of light to heat.

A lot of folks enjoy flame wars as social and intellectual sport. I know I do on occasion, though I prefer a steady diet of intelligent conversation as a general rule. The occasional flame, or, better, spoofed flame -- see Melvin's posts, for instance -- is fun to me. If you don't enjoy them, there's still a lot of good stuff here.

Answer 5

I agree with the answerer who says to look at the asker's past questions. When doing that you can also see how long he or she has been posting on Y?. If she or he just signed up today, it is a decent bet that it's a phony name used just to post a goofy question.

Answer 6

Watch the wording. Some questions are designed to inflame, and are not true quests for truth. Usually there are clues to be found in the wording. Don't waste your time on those - you'll be tossing pearls before swine.

A real question does not start by insulting someone. "Why are all Xians/Republicans/Liberals/Atheists so thick headed?" is not a real question.

Answer 7

If a question sounds fishy to me, I read the askers past questions to see if there is a pattern or what kind of other questions they are asking.

Answer 8

i look at all questions and the ones i don't like because of their nature , i just don't answer , that solves it for me

Answer 9

IF A QUESTION MAKES YOU THAT MAD, AND YOU MIGHT SAY SOMETHING BAD, IGNORE THE QUESTION AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.

Answer 10

I just want you to know that I see right through your evil plot to bait me!