I find it tragic to read replys to questions that are rude etc.....?

Question

and usually those doing this have little, or no idea, to whom they are replying to or about the issue.
I was called a teenage little girl that knew nothing about what I spoke of, etc.
FYI: I am a very well educated & informed 62 yr. old woman who has an extensive background in the earth sciences and happens to enjoy a debate but not when it turns to name calling & rudness. Anyone agree?

Answer 1

In the arena of ideas, people that disagree with you are quick to call names if they have no basis of facts.

Democrats do it all the time when they can not substantiate their positions. http://boortz.com/nuze/200602/02032006.html#nazi


Godwin's law states that "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."

It is not much different in Yahoo Answers. And if you are not called a nazi, you are called something equally as offensive.

Answer 2

"Tragic" is a bit of a stretch. Frankly, I see far more rude questions than I do rude answers. In fact, most of the combative answers I read, such as this one, are provoked by inflammatory questions, such as this one.

If you don't want to be mistaken for a teenager with no background or education, clean up the prose of your questions and answers, e.g., the little red underline under "rudness" should have clued you in to the typo/mis-spelling. It is little things like that which people will judge you by, because your words are all we have. Similarly, hyperbolic description of contention in an utterly pointless forum like this as "tragic" makes you sound naive, like a teenager. What is going on in the Sudan is tragic. Personally, I find the thought of Emperor penguins freezing to death on the Ross ice shelf trying to incubate their hen's egg because there wasn't enough krill that summer to get them fat enough to make it through the winter tragic. But people venting here isn't tragic, unless you don't get out at all and have no perspective, like a teenager.

Finally, if you enjoy a debate why are you posting here and not on usenet? Usenet is the place for debating. This is question and answer.

Answer 3

Thumbs down me all you want, when I come across a stupid question I give a rude answer (sometimes). Most question's especially in the R&S or Political sections are just "poking the bear" questions anyway, trying to start a fight, so I say bring it on! Can't take the heat turn down the stat. Anyone that has been on Y!A for any amount of time knows I am right. Just look at all the "instigating" questions...

Examples: Atheist, do you like it hot because your going to hell?
Why do Libs always hate freedom?
George Bush has done nothing wrong, why do Libs pick on him?
God hates gays so should they be killed?

And all sorts of stupid questions, so someone gets offended when they see a rude comment? . . . DUH!

Answer 4

I am pleased to hear of knowledgable people on the site.

I try to have empathy for those who make such ignorant remarks though, some of us know and some must imagine that it isn't easy when you find some of the principles you've been raised with are damaging to the planet and now unacceptable most of society.

I remember my dad warning me not to let our dog go down a set after a badger, he would only ha ve wanted to play, but a cornered badger is a very vicious thing indeed.

Answer 5

It is beyond tragic. It's enough to make one weep. There are 2 1/2 generations represented in this board (using 20 years as the standard measure). Most of this comes from the 10-20 year old group, or people stalled at that stage of development. At our age we've watched the decline of manners all of our lives. It's pretty clear how many things have followed, that decline. It suggests the ugliest of futures.

Answer 6

Hum....i assume that i've got no longer been in this website long sufficient to have examine comments i might evaluate "rude." i understand that many of the questions asked set off a reaction in me and that i answer from my gut and not my nicely-mannered head. I actually in no way intend to be rude nor offensive....i ask your self whether others react until now they think of and it comes out sounding rude while it extremely is a gut reaction? purely a theory....

Answer 7

LOL Well i did get a good laugh from jokers answer but i know what you mean Ive been called allot of things. I believe allot of times people are just having bad hair days and need someone to take it out on .

Answer 8

I agree that rude comments have no place in a public forum. Ideas should be traded, rather than insults. Rude comments deserve an automatic thumbs down. A well-reasoned polite response gets a thumbs up whether I agree with the thesis or not. Don't be overly offended by rude comments. Pity would be a more appropriate sentiment.

Answer 9

I am a 60 year old man. I have traveled extensively all over the world. I have been to over 80 countries. I find that some of the people in the different countries I have visited are more knowledgeable and forthright than most of the morons who answer questions on this site. You would think, if you were a reasonably intelligent human being that this forum is for people who really want to learn something instead of idiots who would rather put some one down, based on their own limited experiences. In my opinion.

Answer 10

The name calling and insults proliferate, don't they? Some questions are given just to rile up the climate change believers, the environmentalists, etc., but they also provide an opportunity to admonish them gently and sometimes inject a bit of humor. I've actually received a best answer from someone with an inflammatory question because I seemed to take the wind out of his sails with a humorous answer!

But to pose a question and someone unfamiliar with your background take pot shots to boost up their own ego is inexcusable. You just have to turn the other cheek.

Answer 11

I agree with you - some of the respondants are just answering to get points and nothing else. They don't seem to care what the question is.

As for me, even if it is a good question, if I don't know the answer, or have no idea, I pass it by. I'm here to help whenever I can, not to get points. So my answers will usually be an answer and not just a point-getter.