Is'nt it better to answer the questions better way than to get your answers declared as best ?

Question

Earlier, I was trying my best to give answers. But, I saw two things-- even with my best efforts I was getting the same percentage of best answer declaration as I was getting before.
Second, some of the people here get those "best answers" declaration through contacts and 'planning'.....

Answer 1

Here is my honest opinion on the issue.

Getting chosen as the Best answer and the accompanying positive comments are indeed very satisfying, but ego boosting. The ego gets so swollen that when some other answer gets chosen, it undermines the capability or sincerity of the questioner.... all said and done, it is the prerogative of the 'asker' to decide and we would be better off accepting that fact instead of assuming a casual or unbecoming approach based on incomplete information about the state of mind of the 'asker'.
In my experience, if I do not get chosen despite what I believe to be a great answer given by me, the reason is mostly a mismatch between what the 'asker' is looking for and what I have given and only occasionally there appears to be an absence of fair play between the 'asker' and the 'answerer' whose answer gets chosen in preference to mine. On the whole, I must admit that the extent of fair play here is certainly no less than what we find in our real life.

Having said all that, I must admit that I do get carried away feeling proud when my answer is chosen, and rather disappointed when it is not and in my disappointment, I do look for excuses such as unfair judgment or deals etc., but frankly, finding excuses does not help me, it rather adds unnecessary bitterness to the already disappointed state of mind. If I examine myself honestly, the issue of being helpful to some unknown person here through my answers seems rather far fetched to me, especially since I am always here in this category called Philosophy and frankly, key philosophical questions have no right or wrong answers but just different points of view and belief.

In the final analysis, the points here mean nothing except some sort of ego gratification.

Answer 2

It is better to answers questions in the first place. Answering questions is sharing your good thoughts at its best. It is also giving out your knowledge on a certain question. It is giving your ideas and experiences as you relate your answers to the question. Best Answer is secondary to me and must be taken as a compliment. What really lies most is the feeling of helping others in the best manner you can. I have known many friends here who answers questions for the sake of helping and parting their good thoughts to others. Best Answers are indeed a boost to oneself. No one could deny this. And why not, for this is also a game and a fun. It generates a rewarding system.

Indeed your observation is correct. There are edges for some if they have contacts because they have established rapport from each other. However, behind all these things what matter most is the philosophical thoughts you have shared and makes a person happy. For after all, this is a free site. Just keep it within you and pursue the good things you make. There is always a reward in all the good deeds you have made. Friends will give you the judgment. This is the most important thing to achieve.

Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!

Answer 3

Oh yeah,i fully agree.
We are some of the real people on Yahoo answers who try to help almost all the people in all different ways,i dont know why,but some people ask questions just to get popularity,so they make contacts,send personal messages and plan to get their answers selected as the best..you may wonder sometimes that it was a science question about a reaction with zinc and magnesium,i tried a lot,and finally i got an answer,but then i saw that someone had already written the same logic,so i postponed it...i felt that the person's answer who wrote the same logice as mine would definately chosen as the best,but when i searched for the question,i found that the best answer had nothing useful,but jokes and comments written in it..so i was a bit annoyed,and from that day onwards,i've stopped expecting best answers from these people,(i dont know who they are and i am not pointing out any one)

Just Shared my views...

Answer 4

I understand your cynicism and frustration about some of the bad BA picks by Q-askers( who often shirk the duty to pick the BA fairly and knowledgeably) and by the voters(often the answerers themselves) when the Q-askers default. That said post the best A you can for your own sake and don't worry too much about the unfortunate situation. The effort you put into your A's and in formulating and asking Q's will improve you and that is what matters. Some of us in the audience and as participants appreciate seeing people make the effort. Those who treat YA as a game only annoy us but they cheat themselves of an opportunity to become better at the Q&A dialectic. Keep the faith and be true to yourself while you help others do the same.

Answer 5

I understand your sentiment...but what can one do if really they have all their connections and stuff. In the first place what is your purpose of being here. is it merely of getting points and best answers? Don't you feel better if you can share your opinions and advice and they emailing you thanking you and even give a follow up questions privately..see even giving answer and choosing best answers is subjective and relative, this all depends on the askers choice or reason for that question..unfortuntaely we see nonsense answers but chosen as best answers, so this is exactly a tit for tat reaction, if it meant like that, this will only reflect to the asker's personality , how superficial or profound she is, or how logical or illogical she is..and besides, we all have different personalities, so naturally different mentalities..emanwhile, just enjoy asking and answering...you will soon get what you really deserve without whitewashing and cheating ok???good luck!

Answer 6

Getting a best answer to a question depends primarily on the questioner and it may be difficult to get so many best answers from a different variety of community members. But still I consider it a challenge to provide the best answer even though that may not be selected as the best one. The answer which gives the asker and yourself, genuine satisfaction is indeed a great answer.

Answer 7

there are probably several things happening,
the more you answer, the higher your number of answers, so even if you start getting more best answers, your percentage can drop
then, sometimes the asker is looking for someone to agree with them, or else an answer that fits easily into their understanding, so often you will see a great answer get passed over
i would say, answer to answer, dont worry about getting best answer,,,,,,,, and enjoy the good feeling that comes when your answer is picked as best by the asker, and their comment lets you know you really helped them!
i would think the contacts and planning would play a small role in it all, except for the planning of voting, if the asker doesnt make a choice, and no one votes for a best answer, some do go vote for theirselfs, i see no problem with this, as it prevents the question from just sitting there in the "up for vote" list ,
the same for old questions that have been sitting around for a week or so, if you answer them, chances are you will be the only answerer, and you can accomplish two things, resolve the question plus probably get best answer, (if you dont know, if you click on # of answers at top of list of questions, then click on the down arrow, you will see the unanswered questions)
there is nothing wrong, to me, with being aware of your percentage, as long as its not your main motivation, i know mine has dropped over 10% since i began answering more

Answer 8

You ask the wrong question. There is no such thing as grace vs. works. The question is faith vs. works. The Church Christ founded, the Catholic Church, has always taught what the Bible teaches, that faith and works are both essential for salvation, but that grace is the source of both the required faith and the required works of Christian charity. Therefore salvation IS by grace alone, and not by our own efforts. But salvation is not by faith alone, since the Bible plainly states that we will each be judged on our works, and that those who have no works to show will not be saved, regardless of what they claim to believe. Just read the last paragraph of Matt 25. .

Answer 9

In my opinion, one must try to answer a question in the best of his knowledge because it affects a large number of people. What you doubt about, may be there, but in a very limited way.

Answer 10

The reward, is the chance to help. You don't know who reads your answers or how it affects them. This is a game in a way, for those with limited life experience or expression, there are points. Answering can be tedious & a pain in the brain & an opertunity for some altrueistic activity. Also to sharpen skills like typing & poof reading. Thanks for thinking, have fun.