is there a double standard in yahoo dogs?

Question

i cant help but to notice that there is a double standard for some people on yahoo dogs. some of the more "famous" users post sacarstic questions on here and give sacarstic answers. then everyone gives them a thumbs up , and answer the question nicely but when a lesser known user asks the same question or gives the same answer they get thumbs down and nasty comments. its basically saying one thing and then doing another.even if you were just being sacarstic , not everyone on here knows that. ive also noticed many people on here are very "clicky" and only agree with their contacts or only choose the best answer if its given by a top contribuator.
has anyone else noticed this? do you think this is true or not? all opinions welcomed

1 example- some top contribuators or other "famous people on here" recieve loads of answers to their question but then some lesser known person asks basically the same question and recieves maybe 5 answers.is it because people feel obliged to answer "famous" peoples questions?
2nd example -there are many breeders on here ,some good some bad. some of the better breeders who compete in shows insist everyone else is a BYB .every breeder has to start some where ,there not just born knowing everything

1 example- some top contribuators or other "famous people on here" recieve loads of answers to their question but then some lesser known person asks basically the same question and recieves maybe 5 answers.is it because people feel obliged to answer "famous" peoples questions?
2nd example -there are many breeders on here ,some good some bad. some of the better breeders who compete in shows insist everyone else is a BYB .every breeder has to start some where ,there not just born knowing everything

Answer 1

you know - I think there is one - but it's not bad. For example, I was having problems one day and used someone else's account. It was still me - but this person wasn't well-known (in a good or bad way!) on YA. It was still me - same old me- answering questions, but I didn't get any thumbs up. Not a one. If I answer as me, I do. But I think a lot of it does have to do with how long you have been on, how many contacts you have. I know that if there are a lot of answers I will skim over and pay attention to what my homeys say. And yes, sometimes I don't agree with my homeys (not often).

I have posted several questions - one got deleted. One was hardly answered, and the others had a fair amount of answers but nothing stellar. I wasn't furious. People answer questions or they don't. Sometimes it's all about timing. I posted a question really late at night - posted the SAME question the next day, peak time, and got a lot more answers.

Sarcasm - well, when you are on as much as some of us are - you need a mental break from "how do I treat gunshot wounds at home", "how do I kill my own pet cause I don't got no mo' money to take him to the vet", "hellppppp my dog is having puppies now what". We do that for each other. We see a LOT A LOT A LOT of ridiculous questions on here. And we all act as bouncing boards for one another. It's fun to answer the sarcastic questions sometimes - take a load off - ya know!

So no need to be angry or offended. You want people to listen - then answer questions - get yourself noticed!!

Answer 2

I hope that it's not true... I really do.

I know that I will answer some of the sarcastic questions sarcastically. It's one way to blow off steam and laugh about something that normally horrifies me (breeding 2 dogs that never should be bred - e.g., a large and toy breed).

I will answer a real question sarcastically on occasion too. I've been reported for those (and I've deserved it I guess) and I get my share of thumbs down the minute I answer anything.

I also work REALLY hard to answer the questions I know something about, openly, honestly and without being nasty. I just got slammed about 1/2 hour ago because i didn't give someone a link. They were hateful even though I answered their question fully. Wait until you get hate mail because you answered a question. It's a little disconcerting - and sad.

The rating system is a joke anyway. I can care less about thumbs up, down or top contributor. It means nothing.

I hope you don't feel unwelcome and I also hope there isn't a double standard for newer people and people who have been here longer. Even some of the older people get tossed offline daily.

I don't always agree with my contacts either. Heck, I don't know most of those people. Some of them, I think we tend to think alike. Most knowledgable dog people do answer questions in a similar manner. There are only so many ways to give someone the right answer on some questions.

There are distinct personalities, opinions and discussions. It's a learning forum. That's why I hang out here. I learn something almost every day. There are some people here that forgot more about dogs than I'll ever learn.

So am I guilty of some of what you said, maybe. Is it wrong, I don't think so. I NEED to be sarcastic on occasion to keep my sanity. Humor is a bridge... And honestly, some of those goofy questions aren't any worse than some of the REAL questions. Those are scary.

EDIT:
That's an interesting point about people answering questions. Some of it has to do with time of day when you ask. Also, it does have a little to do with a network I guess, but I never thought about it until you said something.

A question is only on the front page for about 1/2 hour maybe less. If a person with lots of contacts asks the question, You get either an email or a message when you sign on that someone in your Network (contacts) asked at question, or starred a question.

I DO go look at them. If one of my contacts asked it, or starred it, I may want to see it. Not necessarily ANSWER it, but read it. So maybe they do get more answers because of that.

It's not a bad thing, and it's not a popularity contest, its a FEATURE of YA. You asked this question. Lots of people are answering it. If they all have big networks, More people will see it, even if they aren't online tonight. They will see it tomorrow morning.

Interesting. I never thought about this the way you are. Sorry - it's not intentional. It's just how YA works.

Answer 3

Well, the reason some get a lot of answers to their question is because their contacts are getting an email to let them know a question was asked.

As for your "everyone started breeding somewhere" comment, the problem here is that most of these people you referred to took the proper path and likely NEVER were the typical backyard breeder. They got a mentor and learned everything they could. There is a huge difference between breeding because you can and breeding reputably, even for the novice. A good breeder, including a novice, will research for a long, long time before they ever consider doing it. The backyard breeders here you are referring to that "have to start some where" are being irresponsible and could care less about doing it ethically or correctly.

Answer 4

There is not a double standard at all. While yes, there are cliques, there is nothing that shows that those people gang up against others or only support their own. The "famous" users that you refer to have a lot of dog knowledge and are here to help people - They get sarcastic sometimes because of the ignorance they see with some of the other questions and answers.

There are a lot of VERY intelligent people here. People with more dog knowledge than most of us have put together, but those seem to be the ones that are targeted. They are HONEST with their answers and tell people the plain hard facts.

The TRUTH seems to get you nowhere around here, nor does common sense. People don't want an answer to their question, they want you to validate their opinion or action.

Let's take an example: Someone comes on that wants to breed their dog and asks "My dog is in heat, when is the best time to breed her?". The reputable group that you refer to will tell her that if she doesn't know, she has no business breeding and to get the dog spayed. But that's not what the asker wants to hear - They want to hear the exact time in the cycle that's the best time to breed - The people that tell the truth will get thumbs down and reported for their "mean" answer and the person that told them when to breed will get best answer

So how is that creating a "favored" opinion when the group that you refer to gets nothing?

Answer 5

Maybe if you had given some specific examples then people would be able to comment or give their opinions. It is hard for me to judge your question when I'm not really sure what you mean.

Often in writing, because people cannot hear tone of voice or see the smile of people's faces, humour or even frustration can be taken as sarcasm.

I also think timing has a lot to do with the answering of questions. YA people are all over the world and different time zones can make a big difference the the amount of answers a question gets. I would think that most people just answer questions from the first page rather than scrolling down.

I have NEVER taken notice of the name if I feel the need to rate an answer. It is the answer that is rated not the person.

I have often wondered 'future vet' if you are currently studying for your degree or if it is a future plan. Either way good luck with your goals.

Answer 6

I think I know what you mean.

You mention the "famous" getting thumbs up for sarcastic answers, whilst somebody less well-known get thumbs down for the same response.

The point there is that the people who would give the thumbs up know that the "famous" person is being sarcastic. The thumbs up is (I assume) because they found the comment amusing. The same comment made by someone whose posts they are unfamiliar with, could be taken seriously - hence the thumbs down.

Top contributor? I'm not sure that's taken too seriously. I certainly hope not. There's a few on here who I'd consider very knowledgable that are not, and have never been top contributors - whilst there's others who have that orange flag who give advice that's so bad - it terrifies/angers me. Look at the answers only, I do - and I'm sure most on here feel the same.

Clicky - I understand your point, although I think it's a bit harsh. What you have is a group of knowledgeable people, with similar views, similar experiences. They'll have a similar outlook and similar opinions to one another. If there are certain people you can relate to better - you're more likely to pick their answer.

There are people whose Q&A I look out for in particular. Especially when certain questions come up that I feel they are best placed to answer. I suppose then - that puts them more at an advantage wrt getting Best Answer. I admit I've had certain people in mind when posting some of my questions, and deliberately waited for those people to respond before choosing best answer.

Favouritism? Possibly, but if there's someone I think can teach me something - I'll wait for it. Yes, it gives them an advantage over others, but I read ALL responses, and if there's someone who's given a response I feel is better than the person I'd originally "aimed" the question at - they'll get the points.

Does that mean I'm part of the clique? I don't know - I certainly don't consider myself to be. However, with what I've said above, added to the fact thoe people you mention are all in my "contacts" list, maybe I am.

I will say though, I do feel alienated by the sarcastic, mocking questions that are sometimes asked. I don't think they are aimed at me, but whilst I'm not even close to being in their league wrt knowing about dogs - there's a part of me that's offended.

I have to stress that I'm grateful that those people are here (we know who you all are!). I've learned from them, most of them are very friendly and very helpful.

Those that aren't always friendly - I can understand their frustration. Besides, I'm here to share information and hopefully learn a few things, not make friends. If someone is unpleasant to me but knows what they are talking about - chances are I learned something.

The "famous" ones do get more answers. There's a simple reason for this.

You can add certain people to your "contacts" list. You then appear on their "fans" list. If you do that - their questions, answers and any questions they've starred are highlighted on your profile. If you have a lot of fans, a lot of people will see your questions - hence a lot of people will answer them.

Hope you stick around.

ADD: Shadow's Melon gives a good answer to your last point.

Answer 7

I sometimes only anwser my contacts Q or ones they have starred. then i'll surf and pick one that looks intresting. and i try to A only ones i am helpful with. I know little on welping i have only help 2 times with this so i can't help that question.

If the Q is sarcastic and one answer tell them not breed or what ever I don't Thumb down the person it would be kinda silly cause they are saying the samething we would if it were real question. I'm not a thumb down nut only if the A could really harm the pet.

don't take this the wrong way but you sound young or not dealt with horrid things that the main public does. and its great if you are schooling to be a vet. but the public and their stupidity on normal dog stuff gets old real fast and their sacarstic posts lighten the mood...

top contribuator is a bunch of bs. some shouldn't have it. some should it. just a magic number that desides if ur top or not.

crap happens smile and go on with ur day who cares if anyone likes u or not...its the net and for all i know u and most everyone else is jimmy crack corn...
EDIT
all opinions are welcome.. I might not agree...its a fact of life...and sometimes it best to agree to disagree... ya know. not hearing the tone of the others voice i think is a big problem here. while stuff comes off typed nasty...its the truth as i see it. or facts.

Answer 8

I have not noticed this at all. Some people post funny questions to try and lighten the mood. I will reply to them with a funny answer. Some questions are so dumb I will post an amusing answer there. Like someone earlier posted where they the only person to marry a dog. I replied something along the lines that no many women felt they had married a dog too when the divorce came through. Just good clean lighthearted fun.

I myself ask few questions, but when I do I don;t base my best answer on who posted that answer, but on the answer given. The one that gave me the information I was looking for. Not a cut and paste from the internet, but something based on experience.

I never give thumbs down to anyone unless they give a really bad answer and I do mean really bad. If I see a really good intelligent answer by anyone I will give it a thumbs up. It does not matter who posted what.

If I see a question I know little about and I know one of my contacts will that's the only time I work with them as I will star it knowing they will see it and give an honest and educated reply.

YA has became too heavy in the last month or so. It needs to lighten up. I love to help people when I can, but I love the fun posts too.

Edit: I just checked my contacts. 7 of 43 are level 2 or lower. Another 4 are level 3. I think that's a decent percentage to show that I like and admire a lot of people on here both older and newer members.

As for replies you always get more afternoon or evening to what you do in the morning. I myself though would rather have 3 or 4 educated answers rather than 30 just guessing. If I ahve a question I will usually wait for afternoon or eveing to post it as more people will be around to help. If you post it in the morning it's gone in half an hour or so and many people will never even see it unless you are on their contact list. I guess maybe that's why sometimes it seems as if certain people reply to certain people. Simply because their question is brought to attention by Yahoo.

Edit Saturday Morning:

I came here today fully expecting to see this post deleted by customer care. Why.. silly me. I thought it was them that actually monitored the questions and answers here with a little help from the members. Obviously that's not the case. See if this had been posted by say Katslookup or StLady this would have been gone as it's attacking a certain group of contributors. Because it's from someone who is not often here guess what... here it is. Could it be that the top contributors actually see everyone is entitled to an opinion?

I change my opinion from last night. There IS a double standard on YA. Just the oposit of what you mentioned though. The top Contributors or "famous" as you put them are deleted all the time. those who are not so recognized can post whatever they want and still it stays. Double standard for sure. I would say.

Answer 9

I happen to agree there is a double standard... and that this question proves it quite nicely ... had any of several people posted it, it would have been deleted (people who were top contributors who had their accounts deleted).

I don't add contacts. I answer what questions I see and get around to. I do not make this venue my life.

As for asking the same question.. and not getting as many answers.... Well, there's a search feature on here for a reason.. and if someone's already asked the question.. don't expect as many answers the second time around. In addition, I only see questions that are on when I'm on.. so I only answer those... and then only the ones that interest me.

Answer 10

I wouldn't call it a "double standard".
I do think that anyone who spends any length of time here learns who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't. I also think that some of the questions you describe as "sarcastic" are generally asked by knowledgeable dog folks who are trying to educate some of the more ignorant people who frequent this forum. You're right, not everyone here recognizes the sarcasm, but maybe someone actually learned something they didn't know before. Personally, I view that as a positive thing.
Thumbs up for stepping back and putting thought into some of what you see here!

ADDED: Some folks get tons of answers to their questions because they have many contacts who actually see their questions (and starred questions) as soon as they log onto the site. Newer folks might not have this.