Yahoo Answers is shutting down on 4 May 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Why is it wrong?
If you think that it is wrong to partially answer a question with a few words just to get your answer registered, and then go back and finish it with an edit, why? I do this and I think that it irritates some people, because I come back with my completed answer and find a thumbs down.
Some people don’t care about points or best answer percentages. For me and I’m sure many others, it’s a principle motivating factor. It’s a main reason why we’re here, and why we try to give the best and earliest answer possible. We are competitive and like the game structure.
Others don’t care about that. They just want to be helpful and/or have fun. So do I, but I also want to see how well I can do. Without that incentive, I would do this much, much less. Yahoo! Answers understands and recognizes this. That’s why they give these points. If you play chess or bridge competitively, you know it’s the same. (CONT)
We play for points and ranking that are only meaningful to us, but they are just that: meaningful to us.
For this reason, competitive types want to be the first or second posted, since if several people give the best answer, the first one usually will get the nod. So, people like me have a dilemma. We want to be one of the first answerers, and yet we want to give a thorough answer. Several of us do what I do: get something posted, then go back and make it as good as we can, taking our time, researching thoroughly, adding links, spell-checking and even improving the prose. We take pride in giving you quality answers, which may take twenty or more minutes to assemble, but we don’t want to post fifth or tenth.
To those that don’t like this, I say this. If you’re not competitive too, why do you care if we do this? Chill. You aren’t competing with anyone, so why do you care if we do?
CONT
To those that are competitive and resent being beaten to the punch, may I suggest you do the same? I won’t mind. (CONT)
Frankly, we are all forced to do this if we want both to give excellent answers and keep a high best answer percentage. Call me shallow if you like, but if I can’t do both, be quick and thorough, I’d rather be doing something else, like playing Internet poker for points.
To those that are competitive but think that such behavior is wrong, two things: (a) why? Who’s being hurt that isn’t free to do the same and (b) we didn’t invent the game, we’re just trying to play it well. If you care, do it as well. If you just can’t, sorry. That’s your choice or limitation, not mine. I can. If you had your way, who would be better off for it beside you? And at what cost? So that you can obey an arbitrary, self-imposed rule?
So don’t be bitter. Either you shouldn’t care if your not competing with yourself and with others, or you should jump right in and do it with us if you are. It’s analogous to backgammon or bridge players that have decided that doubling is rude, or poker players who despise a check-raise. It’s part of the game, even if you choose not to play it that way. It violates no rule except some people’s private rules.
Tell me what you think. I don’t want to choose any best answer on this one. I’ll let the voters do that and sacrifice the five points (did I just throw away five points!).
EDIT I wasn't aware that it was considered a violation. Oops! Now I have to rethink this all
9 Answers
- Michelle MLv 51 decade agoFavourite answer
I don't disagree with you if you are trying to get points so you write something, then go back and provide a more thought-out answer. I think this is totally fine on questions that ask your opinion or on difficult/obscure questions (what were the causes of the Crimean War?)
What is annoying is when it's done with short answers or riddles. Here's an example: the first answer was "idk" the second and third answer (mine) were correct. Then the first answerer came back and changed it to what #2 and #3 had. That's just poor sportsmanship. It's rude, and you can even say it's cheating.
I can be competitive. I like being able to give thoughtful answers. I like being rewarded when someone thinks I'm better than others. But what exactly are we going to do with those points? What have we won? Nothing.
The purpose of this site is to share our knowledge, and maybe have fun doing it. It's not a gaming site.
But you can do what you want. If you consider it a game, be a good sport about it.
- chopperLv 41 decade ago
I've edited my answers only because something just occurred to me. I don't do it to mess with other answerers.
Soooo, are you saying that you can't compete with people who edit their posts so that they, and not you, get the points?
I'm sorry, but I fail to see the tragedy in that. To the best of my knowledge YA is a NOT a competitive game. The points are just to get people talking. At least I've never seen any statement to the contrary from Yahoo.
Sometimes this place is like Boot Camp for future Third World dictators. I know an awful lot. I'm 54, have a law degree, an MBA, extensive life experience and 2 degrees in English Lit. That doesn't make me a genius, but I'm willing to bet I've worked a damn sight harder on my education than most people here, if only because I made it a priority. At this point (oops), the points (double oops) are beside the point.
Can someone please direct me to where people are having fun here?
- prettybirdLv 41 decade ago
I have seen this in answers before and then taken my time to compose my answer and when I do submit and it takes me back to the page I noticed the person who only had a few words has edited and his/her answer is simular to mine. It is competiveness that compells a lot of us to answer but really does position mean that much. I've been 10 and 11 th to answer and have still gotten best answer. I think the best answer stands on it's own no matter what position it is in. Good luck and keep answering!
- 1 decade ago
Well this is a fun place to put your answers. We need to all get along her. I can only speak for myself. I try to answer questions to the best of my knowledge & only the ones I believe I know. Some questions that are asked may be hard to skeak for long about the subject. Hope this helps.
- slagathor238Lv 51 decade ago
I've seen posts deleted for a violation known as 'Placeholding'. What you've described is the definition of this violation.
Do I think it's wrong? No. Should it be removed as a violation? Yes. This is their house, their rules. When we're here, we must play by their rules. When you get caught breaking their rules, expect to receive their punishment.
That statement may seem harsher than intended. I was just being direct to avoid misunderstanding. I hardly view a violation notice and removal of a question/answer as 'punishment'.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
i think it's good to answer questions in a good manner, that fully explains, i do also know that it's usually the first answer to the the 10 pts, but it's not allways, i've got best a few times and i don't think i've ever gotten best on anythng i've answered first.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I doesn't matter what I think of it.. a violation is a violation.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
it is a unfair world we are living in.
