I've noticed more and more that people ask questions... and then pick the "best answer" as the one that lines up most closely with what they already believe.
Case in point:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AscMBTdsywmBYo7f.ql8Yozsy6IX?qid=20070605112624AAfh7iS&show=7#profile-info-ipM65L4paa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ancm6rHLaGsa6XBQsxGvvcPty6IX?qid=20070604205341AAPt0fL&show=7#profile-info-ORXudMYwaa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlsuOMty9BXDIanH5JmXPyrty6IX?qid=20070604202619AAcsF3u&show=7#profile-info-o8AFnf1xaa
2007-06-06 06:34:41 · 11 answers · asked by Jen 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
You are absolutely right. To a degree. Many people do ask questions simply to have someone say what they want to hear... and it's not just on Yahoo!Answers (I'm reminded of the oft-asked question, "Does this dress look nice on me?").
HOWEVER, I think that much of the time it is easy to tell when this is. Take some of the questions you cite above:
One person asks a question which quite obviously has no single correct answer ("What is your favourite...?"). Since there can't really be any correct answer, this is more a form of chatting than an actual question. The only possible way to judge the 'best' is by preference or randomly.
Another person asks what could be a valid question, but follows it up with a long diatribe. And while I liked your answer better than the one that won, I'm not really surprised at the result. Are you? The asker of that one clearly had some kind of a bone to pick.
I know some people who go around and report all the questions of this nature as violations of the guidelines. Me... I usually just avoid them, or answer fully expecting not to win. After all, isn't it MY responsibility to understand the nature of the question before I answer it?
So stick with it. Just be more careful where you step, as it were. Peace.
2007-06-06 07:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only valid answers that you can trust at Yahoo!Answers is none. People come to this forum to be in a censored and safe environment. Most of them do not have any real serious life questions. But then again, I suppose life doesn't have to be serious all the time. The survey shows....people that use Yahoo!Answers are WILLING to give up the right to express free speech. I mean, if they are here, they had to first agree to give up the right to free spech. Yes? as far as aligning answers with questions, well of course they pick the answer they like best. You don't think this is a scientific study do you? People will most often side with that which makes them feel comfortable, especially if it coincides with their opinion.
2007-06-06 13:52:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
FUNNY U SHOULD SAY THAT... i have to agree that a mojority of the time people will chose the answer they most likely wanted to hear in the first place... i think they are looking for other peoples perspectives and view points, but primararly they are looking to answers that might either mirror their own, or best describe their way of thinking.. u could almost say... it was pointless asking in the first place.
NOW the interesting question is... now that my theory on this agree's with yours.. do i get "best answer" ? LOL
2007-06-06 15:14:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well. I don't know about anyone else but i have learned a lot here...I like to see all of the diverse opinions myself...and I find some categories very entertaining...
2007-06-06 16:04:23 · answer #4 · answered by Pumpkin Head 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the real world. People like being told their right. You do well if you remember that in school. Just throw what the professor says back at them. Professors love to hear themselves. Develop your ideas and theories, debate with your classmates and peers. Think for yourself, but if you derive a different opinion then your professor keep it to your self.
2007-06-06 13:49:22 · answer #5 · answered by Ripper 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What's the point of anything? We're in a game, play along.
2007-06-06 14:16:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, that is very true. However, for the rest of us we can consider many different opinions
2007-06-06 13:40:22 · answer #7 · answered by the slightly amusing answers of 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally disagree with you, this website has provided me with plenty of new ideas and insights. I think you're just jealous because they didn't pick you.
(I'll be watching who YOU pick ;)
2007-06-06 13:41:01 · answer #8 · answered by Convictionist 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, so true! It is called reaffirmation! People like to be told they are right in their thinking! I am reafirming your question, so please vote me best answer!
2007-06-06 15:02:39 · answer #9 · answered by tonal9nagual 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this website has no point...a lot of stupid people are here(philosophy section)...i would call yahoo answers a "cybernetic cafe"
2007-06-06 13:41:32 · answer #10 · answered by mihai s 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋