Why do people give false information, sometimes even claiming to be experts, rather than simply not answering?

Question

I find this extremely annoying. For instance, I just read a question that asked "Is it unhealthy to have sex every day?" No elaboration. Someone answered (verbatim),
"yeah sometimes Because I'm a doctor in that paticular catagory."

Answer 1

I haven't been with this forum very long, though have answered a few people. I would never willingly answer with any false information. I have answered from my (fairly wide) experience and where something is my opinion only I have made this clear.

I haven't yet seen much evidence of anyone leaving falsehoods as answers and can't see the point in doing so.

Many questions are, quite simply, unanswerable and are designed just to get people talking, these remain a choice for you or me to answer if we wish to spend the time doing so. There would never, from me be any deliberate falshood. Nor, I suspect from you.

But why get 'extremely annoyed'? That will only raise your blood pressure, cause indigestion and will almost certainly be more harmful than the featured 'sex every day'. Lighten up, Dude, and enjoy your life, these pages and the discussions that are raised.

Have a great life,

and Cheers, BobSpain

Answer 2

I won't be mean.How many "PROFESSIONALS" do you think are
killing time on yahoo answers and if the asker cannot differentiate a professional /or honest answer from a BS answer, such as "yeah sometimes Because I'm a doctor in that paticular catagory" then they probably need to look elsewhere. It's like buying prescription meds in an alley, you're just better off finding the right stuff at walgreens. Don't believe everything that you read online and only half of what you see.

Answer 3

In an open forum like YA, one should expect all types of answers. The askers of questions should realise that the answers they get are at most the opinion of the answerers. If anyone concludes that the answerers are experts, even if the answerers claim they are, then such answers need to be validated by independent enquiry outside of YA. It is dangerous to follow any advice and follow it blindly. Answers need to be viewed as a collection of opinion of a few people, and used for what they are worth - just opinions of unknown people.

Answer 4

Well I think there could be retired doctors, pilots, lawyers, etc hanging around on here. If I was smart enough and motivated enough to become a doctor or a lawyer I'd probably retire in 5 years cuz I'm a thrifty person and my husband has always been able to make halfway decent living.

Answer 5

Its because they want the points. To them, this place is a game. And if they answer with something that may make the asker think that the person that answered knows what they are talking about, they will be rewarded the 10 points.

Answer 6

You are right. Some people are just plain know it alls. Even the 'experts' are wrong from time to time and even they sometimes give opinions rather than facts.

Answer 7

Why do people ask stupid questions, sometimes even claiming to be interested in the answers, instead of asking their doctor or using common sense or google?

Answer 8

Either they are suffering from low self-esteem or they are having fun with their alter ego, but at the expense of other's.
In short, they are a developing con artist. I should know....
did I tell you I'm the secret sister of Princess Di?

Answer 9

This is teh interwebz, what do you expect?

But if i had to give a reason, i'd say they're just firing in the dark, hoping they'll strike it lucky and win 10 points.

Answer 10

Az a kollage prufesser I kin garantey those peeple are fakez!