Why do people answer questions with just an insult, adding no value to the conversation??

Question

Hubby: No I don't value it when someone calls me an "idiot". Nothing of value there! ;)

Answer 1

Because in their mental construct it gives them the perception that they are more intelligent than they actually are... effectively building up their own self persona.

That... or, they are just amusing themselves at the asker's expense. Not taking into account the effect it will have on the asker.

Answer 2

Because They Read The Question, And Perhaps It Didn't Strike Them As Interesting, But Since They Are At The Question, They Will Answer It Half Heartedly Or With Sarcasm To Show That They At Least Know An Answer, If They Leave The Question Without Answering, It Is Demining To Their Cognitive Abilities, ie. They Feel Retarded To Leave It Blank.

Answer 3

There is no value of conversation as you describe it. Heeltap's questions are insulting precisely because they promote conversation in place of investigation. Investigation is done by real individuals. It's not surprising at all that those without the courage to inquire on their own also have an extremely broad notion of affront. Shallow people extort from others. This must be vigorously opposed so that there is opportunity for learning. This opposition tagged as ad hominem? You bet!

Answer 4

Because that question hit a nerve in hiding. Neurosis incognitus is a mean species of the danker, darker avenues.
Bats may have value, just like the information in the insult answer, but they are still ugly and live in smelly, infested places.

Answer 5

Insults take less time to prepare and some people a just impatient. They get to answer quickly and expend little thought some might consider that an advantage I suppose. Insults are not necessary in my opinion if you think the question is stupid then why burden yourself at all?

Answer 6

The greatest purpose is the creation of an effect, those who insult are simply producing an effect, just not a very good one.

Well, usually not a good one, sometimes the question is stupid and the insult is brilliantly funny, so that would be a good effect (from my viewpoint). Obviously the questioner wouldn't agree.

So your point about "adding no value" is actually relative. It might well add to the conversation, just not from the questioner's viewpoint.

(Well, you *did* put this in the philosophy section.)

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Answer 7

Sites like this one combine a forum with anonymity. While this allows full and open discourse from well-meaning people, it also provides an outlet for insults from persons who "get off" on such cowardly antics. I equate their work with graffiti and cross burning.

(By the way, I include "trolls" and other people asking insulting questions in the same category of cowards)

Answer 8

Thanks for asking the Q!! This is my opinion after much experience asking non-trivial Q's in philosophy.

When they post insults attacking the Q -askers and carp the Q's w/o answering them, it is because they are treating the Q-askers the way they expect themselves to be treated if they dared to ask any Q's. I think it is a sign of their ignorance(their lack of knowledge and understanding of the topic of the Q's), a sense of personal low self-esteem and overpowering obsessive-compulsive feelings of inadequacy. Alternatively, it could simply be an inability to pass up the 2 phony points for indulging their lack of intellectual integrity as an anonymous participant here!

They are the mediocre scourge of the YA platform, one step better than a troll, and if I were ever made a moderator in philosophy II would just relish the opportunity to zap their insults and meaninless point totals with hefty penalties!!!! They are also probably the same people who submit phony abuse reports which result in your Q-deletions.

"Insults Provides Feedback"? Ad hominem feedback is of absolutely no use!! You identify yourself and your ilk clearly.

Answer 9

Why do you not value an insult? Does it not take as much thought as praise?

Answer 10

I think people do that when they find the question stupid or inflammatory - and it does add value - it provides feedback to the asker and reaffirms the opinions of others who felt the same way.