Why do people sometimes give too-short, off-topic, and/or useless answers here?

Question

I'm a big fan of concise, well-reasoned, readable, useful answers; and I do sometimes see those types of answers here. However, I think they are in the minority of answers for most topics.

I think people sometimes answer in semi-useless ways because they think they're funny, or would rather chat vs. give an answer. Is that the case? Is it some other reason? I understand there are some people that are gaming for points; I generally simply report them.

So, I guess to even further elaborate on my question: Why are people clogging up Yahoo! Answers with chat, off-topic answers, and/or short and useless answers (like a single word)? There are lots of chat programs and other forums for that, yes?

A couple of things: I will NOT report someone simply because they disagree w/me. I asked a question to get answers, and to expand my understanding. How can I see the full picture if I only get people who agree w/me?

I will ALWAYS report someone spreading hate. I will sometimes report people for gaming for points, because it's a waste of everyone's time. I am tired of reading through all the chaff to get to the wheat. *However*, point taken; I'll keep my abuse reports to the really bad ones, and that's generally not those gaming for points.

Was no one here when they had a menu of reasons to report abuse? I think they did away w/it because their reasons included those that you're saying I'm petty to report.

Finally... yes, I went on to begin to answer my question to ensure y'all understand and to get the debate going, and hopefully to clarify things. :)

Answer 1

Either:

1. They are trying to be witty.

2. They only care about points.

3. They don't know the answer, but want the points anyway.

4. They have a low self-esteem and this is their way of attempting to feel superior if even for a moment.

5. They are using this as a litmus test to gauge how "normal" they are by comparing their answers to everybody else's instead of just thinking for themselves.

6. They are solely on here to preach their religion and/or way of life.

...I'm sure there are many more reasons why idiotic people do the things they do. However, neither you nor I have the time to dwell on this. Use the thumbs-down button. It minimizes the idiocy so one doesn't have to look at it :)

Answer 2

If it's just idle chatter, y report them? If u don't like their answers, or lack of one, don't pick it. IF it's not ur question, ignore it. Sometimes people only have one word answers for a question. It's just what comes up. IF there's no volgarity, y do u care? I hope I don't get reported, but it's people like u, who report for dumb reasons that don't let actual trouble makers get warned. Not everyone's gonna have a well thought out answer for a question; and some just do it for the points. It shouldn't matter. Besides, a best answer gets the most points, so it would benefit people to be thoughtful and thourgh, but there are some questions that only need dumb answers. The point distribution should be up to the asker...not u. Just chill out, and have fun, and u'll love this site a lot more.

Answer 3

Yes but because some go on yahoo answers for fun they can do whatever they want. The concise answers DO pop up somewhere in the questions you just got to have a little patience. And as for the other chat programs, yes there are but chances are they have the same kind of people too so a little here a little there, and they are everywhere :P just gotta ignore them

Answer 4

To me it seems that since it is open to everyone, it has a lot of people on here who are not mature enough to respect what Yahoo Answers has the potential to be.

It is unfortunate but the truth is there have always been a disproportion in terms of a few enlightened,curious mass and the Oblivious Masses. I don't think it is a bad thing, seeing how many people waste the opportunity to learn and grow encourages me to come back to Yahoo Answers and keep trying to help people even the ones who don't know they need it.

Answer 5

Let me be very careful here. When some ask a question or when some answer a question, perhaps they feel they are being as concise as they can be. I enjoy Answers and I do try to ask decent questions. Sometimes my feedback on my questions are informative. Some comments have actually helped me restructure how I write and therefore speak. So it is okay for everyone to be who they are.

Answer 6

ok little bit of a protracted answer for polls & surveys yet: somebody wrote an off the wall stupid question (Can emus swim to the Seychelles Islands?) in thoroughly incorrect class (Marriage & Divorce). So I replied with the two off the wall some thing alongside the lines of...do no longer you recognize something approximately emus - they are able to swim yet they are able to fly. Then somebody replied to declare 'am I stupid, emus are from Australia no longer Africa and are flightless birds'. Am I stupid...i think of it rather is exceedingly clean who's shoe suits whom !!! lol

Answer 7

Interesting that you asked a question, answered it and asked 4 more questions all in the same go.

to answer your original question: yes, some people think they are funny. some questions are so ridiculous that they do not deserve proper answers. and some people just want the 2 points. that's very petty of you to report them if they aren't being rude or obscene.

Answer 8

Maybe were all different and unique and I myself will keep it short and sweet if I like. Let the Yahoo staff take care of it and just enjoy yourself!

Answer 9

I would guess quite simply validation of their existence... it means something to see what you've written be published for everyone to see... that's why some people go into publishing...

Answer 10

Heh.