Im thinking here of ill informed racists obsessed with asking loaded questions about Muslims etc, people who just tell lame jokes, people who really could have answered their own questions by a rudementary google search, and myself, I find it pretty addictive. Is this just all a waste of time?
2006-09-25 12:08:09 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
How do you start a racist joke? By looking over your shoulder.
Society at large tends to moderate behaviour to a large extent as a public forum makes a person accountable for what they say. The internet is anonymous and allows people to spout their racist, hateful, ill-conceived ideas or idiotic thoughts with very little comeback or responsibility and people have availed themselves of this facility in yahoo answers. People also can make sweeping statements without having the intellectual abilities or knowledge to back these up which they would have to do if challenged in other public estates and this medium facilitates this process.
2006-09-25 12:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by albert_rossie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it brings out the worst in people. Some people are racist/bigoted/lame etc, but many are interesting helpful and funny. Sometimes you don't ask a question to get the answer but to find out whether other people know the answer, or if there is more than one answer as well - it's all harmless fun.
2006-09-25 12:19:36 · answer #2 · answered by lianhua 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am amazed at all the caring compassionate people on here, who seem to be glad to help where they can. There was a young girl who was upset that her parents were breaking up. The question was just a few minutes old,and already there were 137 responses. But I think the positive side of people outnumber by far the negatives.
There is a good quote; When people are unkind to you for no reason,that is because' they 'are hurting.
2006-09-25 12:45:36 · answer #3 · answered by doggybag300 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, how I wish that what I see in Yahoo answers was the worst that people can be. While it is true that many questions are stupid ("what's your favorite color?) and some are offensive, and some of the answers are mega-lame, overall I would say that this is a rather benign site.
Look at it this way. If the "soldiers" in Darfur were busy with their online answers, they would not have time to torture and murder innocent people.
So my answer to both of your questions is 'no.'
2006-09-25 13:11:45 · answer #4 · answered by Carlos R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily.
You'll find a good few interesting questions and intelligent answers as well as the usual eejits there seems to be no escape from anywhere.
I suspect, though, that some people would never be as vicious or as obviously silly and downright stupid where they could be easily identified.
And yes, I seem to be hooked as well, it still beats most of the crap we are served on Television.
2006-09-25 12:25:44 · answer #5 · answered by haggesitze 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it brings out the best in people;I've met some really nice friends and had lots of fun as well,and hopefully helping some people in the process.There are some people who ask horrible questions,usually relating to religion,cruelty to animals,and sexual perversions,but I think alot of them are flagged for abuse and have their questions and/or answers removed, as I will check on the progress of said questions/answers and they have disappeared.And that's a good thing.
2006-09-25 17:23:31 · answer #6 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm addicted to, but I don't think its all bad. People can get encouraged and sometimes, we come across a question that makes us take a serious look at society or ourselves. I've gotta stop spending so much time on it though. I might go practice my violin now.
2006-09-25 12:27:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, i think yahoo answers can be fun and informative. for people to be racist, they wouldnt need an excuse, they would carry on regardless.
it may seem to bring out the worst in folk, but it definately also brings out the best in people too. i think yahoo answers is a great game/forum/service.
2006-09-25 13:09:48 · answer #8 · answered by swot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had these very same thoughts myself.It's pretty much a free for all here,and generally,I don't think this place is really serving any useful purpose,apart from being addictive,as you mention.
2006-09-25 12:15:46 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily; but it sure brings out a lot of "cheap shot" non-relevant answers to serious or theme related questions! It is only a waste of time if you lose yourself in the labyrinth of "Qs&As."
2006-09-25 12:35:23 · answer #10 · answered by jlbackstop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋