Does answering these questions make you feel more important?

Question

I've noticed questions pertaining to the addictiveness of Yahoo! Answers. Do you feel better about yourself having shared your insights, experience, and knowledge with thousands of participants? I do.

Answer 1

More important? No. But it is good to feel that I can pass my knowledge on to someone who wants to know. It gives me a feeling, not of importance, but self worth.

Answer 2

I don't know how to feel more important.

Answering these questions helps me let off a little steam in some categories. In others, such as Science and Psychology, I do what I can to post helpful information because it's just plain fun and a good way to hook up with Internet friends with the same interests.

The Philosophy, Religion, and Politics sections is where I let off steam. I try not to go there for mental health reasons; but you're right, it is addictive.

Also, there are times when someone in Philosophy is looking for non-religous information and is instead deluged by intolerant Evangelists. In cases like those, I also try to post some helpful information on alternative philosophies.

This is America. I believe that everyone is entitled to pursue knowledge in any philosophical field they desire.

Big Al Mintaka

Answer 3

Yes, it does. This is especially obvious for me as I started on this site in January of last year, just over a month after My Steve committed suicide. The first time I got a "best answer" response, I felt like I wasn't a useless, washed up, pathetic old wretch after all. At least not entirely. In fact, my experience and observations seem to be of use to a lot of people, judging from the number of best answers I have had since, as well as the award for "Community Leadership" Yahoo Answers gave me on their first birthday.

In fact, you could say the Yahoo Answers Community told me I was worth something after Steve seemed to have told me I was not worth living for.

Yes, it is quite addicting to be told your answer is best, you've actually helped, someone took your advice and it worked out. Last Valentine's Day, I got a best answer that commented he used my idea to impress the girl he wanted, and it worked!!! Hail, Cupid!!!

Answer 4

Sometimes it's satisfying (perhaps contributing to a sense of "importance"); other times it is somewhat depressing. It largely depends on the question, and whether or not I can provide a good answer. My main goal is points and levels, but I aim to achieve my goal by actually providing good answers, and not giving any garbage answers merely for the points and levels. I attempt to help others through answering, so if I really have no idea, I generally don't answer.

God bless.

Answer 5

Not necessarily. Sometimes I read questions I may know nothing about but piqued my interest for the challenge it poses. If I could I may posit a position to see how readers react to it. When I get a feed back whether pro or con, then I may feel a little better...else, it's a mental exercise akin to my playing chess.

Answer 6

more important? No I think the term is helpful.
If I know something - I am willing to pass it on - just as when I have a question, I would like a helpful answer and not some of
these wisemouth ones.

Answer 7

Level 2, nothing. I am addicted to the possibility of getting to level 7.

Answer 8

I keep myself almost strictly in the Philosophy section. I find it nice to be able to answer/ask questions of that nature. It passes the time but I wouldn't say it makes me feel more important.

Answer 9

I enjoy talking to intelligent people like everyone else here in YAHOO ANSWER...

One more thing, i dont feel alone in asking the many why's in this Life... Yet i feel more humble realizing that the more i learn the less i know...


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Answer 10

I certainly feel like I'm being helpful by giving honest, researched answers. I hope that I am helping people. But I don't feel important, just helpful.