Why so many large, impossible questions and short, unsupported answers?

Question

I have noticed that far too many questions on Yahoo Answers are huge and the answers would fill volumes. In fact, most of the time, famous writers and philosophers have already filled volumes on questions about religion and such, but apparently no one is reading them.

Then, there are those short answers to good questions. Someone might ask a complicated question about a software program, and some idiot will post a five-word response that is complete drivel.

I imagine most of these posters are young and are used to vomiting from the mouth, but I urge people of all ages to show some self-restraint and discipline.

(And please don't respond to my question/comments with some ignorant response about how I'm pretentious for having standards such as thoughts, complete sentences, and spell checking. I'm not asking for much.)

Answer 1

Yahoo Answers is very much like an empty cave that occasionally echoes back. Feeling anonymous, people succumb to the temptation to post questions and answers that they would be afraid to put forward in person, even to their closest friends.

I think both the "large, impossible questions" and the "short, unsupported answers" can be explained by this.

In the case of short, unsupported answers, I think it's simply a matter of not having to fear the repercussions of posting insubstantial drivel. No one will punish them (in fact, Yahoo even rewards them, in a minor sense, through its point system), so they'll continue to post inane answers.

In the case of large, impossible questions, the anonymity of the internet makes people hopeful that "someone out there" will have a simple answer to a previously impenetrable question. Seeing trends on blogs and at sites like YouTube, I think people are beginning to grow accustomed to creativity even amidst anonymity. Optimists might even dare to expect such creativity.

Answer 2

Whether or not the answers or their grammatical correctness, have been posted to your liking , it is too be commended that people are taking the time to think of / help others. The younger people on the site, although limited in their experience, are making an effort to contribute their own knowledge, in order too alleviate someone else's problems. It is ironic that you should suggest that no one respond to your posting " with some ignorant response about how I'm pretentious for having standards such as thoughts, complete sentences, and spell checking ". When your response to the postings of young people was that they were " used to vomiting from the mouth ", could be viewed as an "ignorant response on your own part. The fact that you suggest that you have " standards such as thoughts ", is debasing. We each of us have standards and our own thoughts, that they may differ from yours make them no less valid, or indeed validate yours as being right. It is even our right to disagree with the writings, doctrines,theories and conclusions of the great writers/ philosophers,past and present, in order to find our own answers, in our own way. If they were never questioned, we would all still be in fear of falling off the edge of the earth.

Answer 3

You asked a question and then seemingly answered it with with your own opinion....

However, when i answer questions i generally answer them with either an opinion based sometimes on my own theory which i usually state my source.....example experience; well there is no way to list in detail just what that means as yahoo only allows so much space;or I will also answer questions with "facts" as i know them or as science knows them today.

Some questions only warrant a "bottom line" answer.

Other times i have answered questions and not very well or have not read the question very well the first time and have botched it!

Overall, if you have participated in Q&A long enough you will find that most people do not like to hear the Truth and alot of people are seeking simple answers often times to difficult questions.

I do the best i can with the many different people i am having to deal with.

Answer 4

respect?

Sometimes I just dont feel any use in writing a paragraph or two in what could be said in a sentence or a few words. As well as that, questions asked arent exactly specific most of the time.

Answer 5

Boring questioners that love to harangue.
Just like this prolonged explanation.
Blah Blah
Short answers because stupid questions.
and Unsupported why do you need it., look it up your self.
Also some thing about You setting your rules in an open forum
more blah blah

Answer 6

Poster 2 up ^ you'd make a great Rap artist, i rapped the last two lines of your answer , cool man ! lol

Answer 7

Is there a question here?

Answer 8

i got bored reading your speech and only read the first paragraph!!

Answer 9

Because! Yaaawn.......

Answer 10

i never noticed