Why do people answer questions on here that they really dont know the answers to?

Question

I mean people answer questions and either don't cite their source or they simply say what they think is right instead of what they know is right.
I like Y! Answers because it allows you to give your opinions and your thoughts but when it comes to answering questions in fields such as law, while its your right to answer the question, you should make sure you know what you're talking about before you make an attempt at answering the question and skewing the truth. Just a thought.

Answer 1

I try to answer only those questions for which I have accurate answers based on my experience, education, or research.

Others answer questions for the same reason, but there are those who answer just to get the points, or because they think they are funny when they get wildly inaccurate answers. Perhaps they look at this medium as an entertainment source only, and don't realize that it has value as a real source of information.

Answer 2

I won't cite a source for this answer and anyone that does is LYING. None of us could possibly know WHY the rest of us do anything. I will list a few reasons that I think apply in many cases:
1. They don't really care and just want points. (I have know idea why, the points are worthless)
2. They actually believe they are correct.
3. Some people are deliberately giving false answers.

Have you noticed is is equally common for people to cite legitimate sources and STILL give totally false answers? Someone in the Tax section used to list the IRS toll free number as a source for EVERY answer they gave. I have seen the US Constitution cited by many people that I seriously doubt have ever read it. Some people even provide links to websites that prove their answer is completely wrong.

Answer 3

This MIGHT be a place to get sources, but if you truly want valid information, ask the police department or a lawyer to get the straight facts regarding this category.

People ask questions here just to get a take on every other stranger's input on a specific situation, be it factual or opinionated. It can be informative or entertaining, and you would just come here with an open mind, taking it all in regarding legitimate facts or the stupidity of human nature.

Answer 4

I've been wondering the same thing myself.
In my case people have a habit of giving me answers to questions I never asked to begin with.

Sometimes I get dumb comments about my questions but most of the time at least one person answers my questions with something helpful and insightful and that's why I keep coming back to Y answers.
I think the other people just do it because they aren't smart enough to know better. They just don't know how dumb they make themselves look when they just babble any old thing that has nothing to do with anything.
They just keep doing it to get the points that don't really earn them anything.

Answer 5

I got your answer:
Woohoo 2 points


...seriously though, even in face to face conversations people usually just talk out of their asses, until confronted with someone who can cite their source (and no, "I googled it", and Wikipedia are not sources), the Internet is ten times worse, because you have the anonymity allowing people to say whatever without recourse

EDIT: Though there are some really smart/religious knowitalls over in Religion who can recite scripture and context at the drop of a hat.

Answer 6

Because sometimes people don't have time to "cite" what they learned in a classroom or on the job.

Though I agree that when someone asks for a specific law or a page with it listed, that it'd be nice if the person who answers would give a site. I wouldn't believe what someone randomly told me if I were asking about a legal issue.

Answer 7

Well you might not be completely certain about something - things / laws /policies, etc change *all* the time. But you can offer your opinion / experience when it happened to you. I agree that you should proffer that this is just your experience and not a certainty. Only a professional /expert in that field could say (and often in your specific state) for sure.

but its unlikely a lawyer or police officer would have time for something like this.

Answer 8

I agree 100%!! Also if someone is trying to make a pointless question: Trying to start up something between everyone. Why is it that; I'm in violation. Speaking my mind about the pointless question. We get absolutly nothing for helping people. It's only worth while to us, for helping someone. Then you go to complain to someone about a stupid question. I didn't post it. They did! Who runs this show anyways!! Makes no sence!

Answer 9

Most people just want the points. As if the points are going to get them a new sports car or a cruise somewhere..??? if I don't know anything about it, i don't answer.

Answer 10

I like seeing other peoples opinions on things. You can learn alot from other people.
Plus people say funny things, even if its random and has nothing to do with the question.