Why don't people thumbs up/down based on the quality of response?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjrHheNTDxzX52edpSg2fMPzy6IX?qid=20061204153416AAHCizl

Every response has lots of thumbs up/down on it. But, people seem to be thumbing up/down on each response based on whether they agree with it.

Don't you think it would be better to vote up or down on a response based on how articulate it is in responding to the question? What do you think?

Answer 1

Kenny, you made a good point, but I think there are people out there who are putting the thumbs down when it disagrees with the person asking the question (could very well be the asker too). Yes, it should be based on how well that answer is articulated in response to the question. If you notice some of the "race" questions, many are just snide remarks and deserve a thumbs down. Or some people are putting down the person asking the question, which is equally wrong when the question is not derogatory or racial. These racial questions just stir up unnecessary emotions in people for no reason except to get them riled up.

It would be nice to say every answer is an opinion and should therefore be regarded as a thumbs-up. However, it depends on the question. If someone is being nasty in response to a question, he/she deserves a thumbs down. You can disagree without being snide or discourteous.

Answer 2

It depends. On most questions, I would agree with you. For instance, if the question seems to request a thoughtful response. If it is asking for information, and you believe the information given was misleading, you can put thumbs down to indicate that.
Sometimes, a question is simply put out for a debate. Then people tend to put a thumbs up or down as points in the debate. I think that the questioner will usually understand that. So he can see: "Hmmm, 6 different people were in disagreement with this point".
What I don't like is a thumbs down on a uqestion, unless it's obvious the questioner is not being serious.
However thumbs up or down really don't have anything ot do with the yahoo point system, and can't hurt anyone in any way. - except for feelings fo those who are sensitive. I am often touched by those who make a remark: " I saw a lot of thumbs down, so I put a thumbs up to everybody to make up for it". Not my type of reaction, but you can appreciate the gentle character of the kind of person who does that.
EDIT:
And sometimes, of course, it is just done in fun as you will notice in this particular question.
I noticed you were given a whole bunch of thumbs down, so I gave you a thumbs up! lol

Answer 3

The thumbs up/down was the idea of a guy named Parker Pollock who I had the pleasure of meeting in New York during the yahoo ask the planet event. The original concept was for answerers benefit that in the event that someone answered in a similar or identical manner that the responder would have answered then they would have given the person a thumbs up, a simple jesture in agreement and a thumbs down for sucking.

Whatever it has become now is fine, we all have to remember this is a community based product and we help shape it within the perameters of the yahoo terms of agreement.

Answer 4

That is the whole point of thumbs up or down - the quality of the response, not how much you agree with it.

I personally give thumbs up to answers that are clear, helpful, and extremely pertinent to the question. I give thumbs down to answers that include insults, that don't even try to answer the question, or that are factually false. Sure I see a lot of answers that I "don't like" and even disagree with, but that doesn't mean they automatically get a thumbs down.

Answer 5

Good question. I often marvel at this, too. Personally, I give thumbs up to answers that are correct, and thumbs down to answers that contain false information.

I wish people would not make this Q&A forum a popularity contest, but rather make it an opportunity to learn from each other. That's what it was designed for, wasn't it?

Answer 6

So... if I thumbs up/down someone, does that make me a Republican/Conservative? If I positioned up an sensible reaction, does that make me a Democrat/Liberal? If I do both, because I have a tendency to adhere to what i experience is logical and problem-free experience, even as vote casting for those I trust and vote casting down those I ensue to imagine are inane and unfounded, what does that make me? in my opinion, I have a tendency to imagine of myself as a liberal Conservative, somewhat without each and each and every of the conspiracy bent and senseless hero worship. it must be nice if lets all play nice mutually and by no skill carry each and each and every others own, non secular or political views hostile to at least one yet another... yeah, accurate. Plus slightly trolling is relaxing now and again.

Answer 7

Personally, I don't think I could really judge some of these responses in regards to their quality.

It's not that I am stupid. (At least I don't think I am.)

However, please excuse me, I am one of those who gives a thumbs up if I agree with a particular response. (admittedly, regardless of the quality of the response.)

I only give a thumbs down, if the response is pornographically repulsive. (Actually I enjoy xxx in the privacy of my own home.)

But I don't appreciate porno or Boom Boxes being forced into my home.

Back to your question:

I enjoy clicking a thumbs up when I agree with a response. Please consider my opinion before you ask Yahoo to do away or limit the thumbs up option.

Answer 8

If it's a rude/degrading response then of course i put thumbs down. Otherwise I go by how articulate the person is.....

Answer 9

I give thumbs up to correct respsonses, thumbs down to bad responses, and neither to mediocre responses.

Answer 10

It depends on the question: if it is factual, there is only one good answer, no matter if the answer is articulate or not. If you know you have the right answer to such a question and you don't agree with another answerer, you may want to thumb him/her down...