Why is it that?

Question

Why is it that some people, who ask very biased questions and only give "Best Answers" to people who conform to their way of thinking, often don't allow others to contact them through e-mail, IM, or a 360 page?

If you're so secure in your beliefs, why not allow others the chance to discuss even if you're off the Y!Answers page?

Answer 1

They don't allow contact because they are insecure in their beliefs. They are like an internet version of a drive-by shooting, preferring to hit and run before you have the opportunity to retaliate with your own opinion.

Really, it's all quite cowardly.

Answer 2

I try not to be overly biased but I don't allow contact because I'm overly paranoid due to other experiences with news groups (yes, there was life and free discussion on the Internet before web browsers and Y!).

Granted, a good exchange of ideas with people in a email setting could be enlightening, but for everyone that I would like to talk too there are about 10 lunies that I'd be worried about.

Answer 3

Some people are looking for conformation on their ideas and therefore pick those in agreement.

Some people are looking for answers to their questions and choose the one that seems (to them) the best.

Not all people are level headed and want to "discuss" issues. They'd rather rant, be-little and act foolish. Perhaps that is why some choose not to be contacted.

Answer 4

I honestly don't think the majority of people who don't allow emails, etc.. are doing it out of cowardice.

I think it's a combination of fear of being spammed and just not really being all that interested in getting a five page long email of someone else's point of view.

I started out that way, not allowing emails etc... then, figured, what the heck? I'll give it a shot and see how it goes. I haven't received an overwhelming amount of email, no spam, a couple of hate letters, and that's about it. So, in my experience, my concerns were unfounded.

Answer 5

I don't have the time, inclination or computer capacity to allow emails, IM, or 360 page contacts.

I am a single mom of two boys and have a daily commute of 5 hours. I use this forum hopefully to help others, not as a social contact tool.

Answer 6

In "Why We Believe What We Believe," Andrew Newberg observes that people tend to find that with which they agree to be reasonable and sensible.

I once saw a question in this forum in which the asker posed a question to atheists, and followed the question with the statement that he had no intention of reading the answers.

This is a rather extreme version of the desire to limit one's conversation only to those with whom one agrees, but it is indicative of the underlying human predisposition.

Answer 7

I think part of it may be that they don't realize that going through yahoo, it doesn't give your return address so it's "safe"
I've been contacted by some people I'd rather not talk to, but because I'm required to love them anyway, I've answered anyway.

Answer 8

I have it on my profile page. I can be e-mailed, but I prefer to discuss things in depth on this site:
http://www.factoropinion.net/forum/index.php

I think that you'll find that I am willing to talk about nearly anything.

Answer 9

What irks me are the questions addressed specifically to atheists and the BA is the one fundie who's agreed with the asker's narrow view. If ya don't care what we think, just don't ask.

(Thanks for the rant space. :-)

Answer 10

I've only received 1 hate mail by a drooling christian delighting in telling me I'd burn for eternity. I'll leave the light on
for you.