Should right answers on Y/A be determind by?

Question

The numbers of thumbs up or something other than asker and voters counts, I mean let's face many askers just choose based on agreement rather than arguement, and after a few days how many really go back on "vote" a best answer, maybe the consensus of the community via the thumbs up system would be a more accurate refelction of communitty standards here on Y/A, I'm sure it can be gamed like any other method but seems the right way still or................................................state an alternative but more honest method

If true Andrew how does that change my method or make it incorrect, But I doubt you're accurate, some would say red is blue on these boards

ahh but suthrnlyts2004 not all are as honest as you

John B you know I'd personally like to come kick your illiterate redneck *** but I wouldn't know which trailer parks to troll to find you

Answer 1

Many people, especially in the Politics and News sections, ask questions not to get information but to start a discussion or a fight or both. I do this, too. I think starting discussions is fine. I think fights are inevitable. I think idiots are ubiquitous.

When I start a discussion or try to start a fight, I generally pick the answers from people who agree with me, who write well, or say something interesting. Sometimes no one agrees with me or I get nothing but stupid answers so I leave it open.

I don't think that thumbs up or down is a good system at all, because a lot of people on this site hate each other, and will give the thumbs down to whatever their enemies say.

When it comes to other categories of questions, people seem to choose well. They choose the answers that are clear, thorough and seem to be authoritative.

But when they do that, they're looking for help, guidance or information.

So I don't think there's any legitimate way of choosing a best answer, short of teams of people who work for Yahoo. I doubt they would hire that many people for such a task.

I prefer the open-ended, sloppy approach. If I cared deeply about getting "best answers," I would stick with categories in which I have knowledge or experience.

But that's not my aim here. I'm just opinionated and enjoy reading what others have to say.

Answer 2

coragryph has the correct answer, and considering I seldom agree with him, this agreement has nothing whatsoever to do with his vast popularity.

I hate working on a good answer and then have the asker put it to a vote, why bother asking the question. If you disagree with my perspective and vote for someone else that is your choice but if my argument was the best, simply choosing someone you agree with is your loss not mine.

When I get a lot of answers to questions who I have become friendly with, it is a difficult choice since the answer has to be the best not just from a friend.

I thumb down a lot of answers because they are not answers at all, many thumb down answers because they disagree, like it is a freaking popularity contest, that is not what this is supposed to be about in my mind. You know if you are going to do that why not start your own site with only people of like mind, what a great "diverse" circle jerk that would be.

Answer 3

the variety of questions that get particularly some solutions and the questions that don't are slightly annoying. I prefer greater human beings had the restraint to easily no longer answer some Q's because of the fact then the peoplel asking them could merely flow away. BQ - those cases once you sense like portion of a small Y!a set and all human beings is having relaxing and getting a competent snigger.

Answer 4

I think it's totally fair that the asker decide best answer. It's there question, isn't it? :) And some are very emotional questions and answers. I always go back and choose a best answer, even if it's something that originally I disagreed with. I base my choice on how it helped me. Sometimes a disagreeable answer has given me insight to a problem or question that I didn't have before.

Answer 5

The thumbs method would never work because of the biased people on this site. I also feel that in many cases, best picks are that way as well, but that's out of our control too. Either way, it'll never be fair. :)

I welcome anyone to check out the people that I have chosen for best answer. Well over 50% have a different political ideology than I have, but if the answer is good, they deserve the points. I don't believe in pandering to either side.

Answer 6

It's not a popularity contest unless the asker allows it to be a popularity contest by throwing open the choice for a vote.

The purpose of Y!A is to have people answer question. Thus, ultimately, it should be up to the asker to pick the best answer. And they can do that based on thumbs-up if they want.

Answer 7

Everybody has different priorities. But I am more concerned with how the electorial college instead of popular vote is used to determine the president. We need to fix that flawed voting system first.

Reform of the yahoo answer voting system is not real high on my priority list.

But as I said different people have different priorities.

Answer 8

You forget that some questions have a single objectively correct answer. Not every question asked on yahoo is merely asking for opinions.

Answer 9

That doesnt work either...some post a manifesto that is so long only the zealots will actually read thru the whole thing and answer

Answer 10

Not many best answers huh? The one that asks chooses. Don't like it go to school.