Do people actually pick the best answer, or is it because of their political beliefs?

Question

I've seen man "best answers" with no thumbs up and plenty of thumbs down?

Answer 1

well, sometimes its hard.... when a good answer says exactly the opposite of what you were getting at....

I just hate giving the points to someone who is already a top contributor......

So, does this qualify as a best?

Answer 2

There have been genuine questions asked, even in this category.

Although most choose an answer that gives their view, not all do.

I've gotten Best from people I was disagreeing with.

There's also a second way to get a Best -- a lot of times people don't bother choosing Best for their questions, and it goes to a vote.

But, yes, a lot of the time the question isn't really a question (which violates the Guidelines for this site, BTW, and should be reported as abuse -- click link to read the Guidelines), and most often "I agree" sorts of posts are chosen Best, not posts that actually give strong answers.

BTW, thumbs have nothing to do with it.

Any user above Level 1 can click a thumb -- and they can do so for any reason, including mere agreement.

Thumbs are an indicator of the views of people who read the answers, but not often an indication of quality.

When you choose a Best, you shouldn't go by thumbs, but by what actually is the strongest and most helpful answer.

Answer 3

Some seem to pick the best answer. I got a best answer from someone who abused me in an email but later told me I was the voice of reason while everyone else agreed with her and had no objectivity.

Many of the questions are not really questions. How many have you seen that say, "What do you think about......? If you think A is true you must be a m***n". Do you think they will give best answer to someone who disagrees with them?

I hope that most will be objective and if they are asking a question will choose the best answer even if it is not completely in accordance with their way of thinking. But most seem to be just making a point.

Answer 4

Many probably do... Personally, I have an open question, the only person I have given a thumbs up to, is of a different political belief. I did think that the answer was well thought and sincere. And so far, it is the best answer IMHO

Answer 5

Let's see what you pick as the best answer. Then you decide for yourself. After all most of the questions are opinion and can not be backed up in a few sentences with fact. Questions like who is the best president ever? It would take 50 years of research and 1000+ pages to answer that one.

Answer 6

LOL.....I often wonder that myself. But I agree with some in here that it is chosen to reflect what the questioner will accept for their own views. I don't think truth and facts plays a lot in this forum or many top contributors would not exist. I have seen many stupid answers with the orange band clan(top contributors) and was awed with their so-called prestige given by Y!A.

Answer 7

True True

Most people who post politically charged questions already have an opinion. They just pick the answer that best reflects their own thoughts. I still answer though. Maybe I can help them to think about it a little more.

Answer 8

I thought Yahoo did it, because I have had best answers pick where my response was just the opposite of the one asking the question and in some cases I egged him on by calling him a name....and still got best answer!!! Go figure!

Answer 9

Sure people pick best aanswers based on their views. A person's political, religious beliefs and cultural, educational factors influence their choices.

Answer 10

Political beliefs, often. My guess would be that people don't want to select answers that are good and based on facts but contradict their own political leanings.