Why do people answer questions that they know nothing about?

Question

Some questioners are looking for genuine answers - but many of the people who do answer questions seem to know nothing, but have opinions on everything.

Answer 1

I dont know what the heck you are taking about.

Answer 2

2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Answer 3

I know - whats the point? Oh yeah - for points I guess.

I try and give decent answers to the people who seem genuinely lost, I have put some personal type questions on here and have received some decent answers myself, so it's all fair play to me. I don't pick on anyone needlessly.

Then again in life you get quite a lot of stupid opinions on things from the hoi poli, often without asking at all.

Answer 4

A lot of it is just for the points, I guess, esp. those silly people who type in "don't know"! I have only asked about 5 questions becuase I tend to get very few answers, and those from people who obviously haven't really *read* the question!! (What, are my questions that hard?? Surely not!) Someone here on Y!A said it had been started as a serious service but had "degenerated into recess on the playground." That sounds like a good definition of what it's become.

Answer 5

2 points. Some...and I say some...people are just here to run up their points, they don't care what answer they give. I had one person answer my question with "Because". They got the 2 points just like someone would if they give it an effort. Yahoo should have given the question asker more control...the question asker should be the one who decides who's worthy of points. If you give it an effort, you get 2 points...best answer gets 10. The question asker would give nothing to someone who answers with a dumb remark. I think it's to easy to run up the points...you can still run them up even when you know nothing about the subject. Blame it on Yahoo....the lazy people are just working a loop hole...like everything else in life. (ya I know...askers not a word...I was just being lazy)

Answer 6

This is a good question but this site is also about other people having what they think is fun, giving "smart" or silly answers. This is fine because it takes all sorts to make up this world and sometimes a bit of inoffensive humour is ok. Even if one thinks the questioner is a moron, one should be sensitive to people (child or adult) who show real signs of being at the edge on this site because some of them seem as though this site will determine their next course of action.

Answer 7

I think I'm not supposed to answer this!
I answer a lot of questions on subjects that I'm not that well read or well informed in, as it gives me a good excuse to learn more and further my own knowledge!
Answering questions like this allows me to think about why I, and others, do things, which make me a more understand person.
The first reason I answer questions is to help other people, and the second reason is for personal betterment. I do, however, refrain from answering questions that I know are too far out of my expertise to enable me to provide a helpful answer - I research a lot of questions to discover that I don't understand it, or I cannot trust the source, and so do not answer many questions.
I think other people answer for alot of other reasons, the main one being points!
I do admit that I like the points side of things, as it makes me feel like a valued member of the community. You'd laugh if you saw how happy I got when I get to level 6! We do need to remember that it is all a bit of fun really, and treat it like we should treat life - do the best we can and have a bit of fun along the way - but not at anyone elses expense.
Some people take Yahoo! Answers very seriously, and do their best to make their answers informative, witty, helpful, or what ever the question is asking for. Other people just see it as a way of killing some time. When people don't take things all that seriously, they often assume that everyone else treats it that way too - they'd probably be surprised by the amount of people who are here for a reason! That said, I do have lazy days, where I only answer 'easy' questions, about what to have for dinner and things!
In my experience, we have to types of members here - those like me and those who aren't. Both are equally valuable, and we all make the place what it is. One thing I spend time on, which I think we all should, is rating answers, voting for best answers, and reporting abuse - these are in place for a reason - to allow us, the users, to make Yahoo! Answers the place we want it to be.
I'd like to think that someone, somewhere, has gained a little something from one of my answers, and if they have - its been very worthwile, as I have learnt a lot, about myself, and about the world, during my stay here. Long may it continue!

Answer 8

For the 2 points!

Answer 9

i imagine it has advanced into those who're new on right here and former timers. once you've been answering questions for a at the same time as this is extremely demanding no longer to be somewhat sarcastic once you word a newby performing stupid. an excellent type of circumstances the wild solutions are purely training strategies..

Answer 10

Im sorry i cant answer this.... i dont know anything about the question but ill have a go... Oh there is no answer is there!!! I get it.. your just trying to make a point!!! HAHAHA How about instead you learn how to ask correct questions then people can give you the stupid answer you expect! hehe

Answer 11

If you want a serious answer to ever question you are in the wrong place. This is supposed to be fun too. If everyone was only interested in the correct answer, there would only ever be one answer and the site would close within a week.