Q&A: How respond to dumb questions?

1. 83

   CatherineGiordanoposted 6 years ago

   Some times I get really dumb questions. For instance, some asked "Are dragons real?" are a hub that was all about the reasons for dragon myths and which made clear that dragons are not real.  Should I give a brief response: "No, dragons are not real."  Or should I just click "hide." I've been doing the latter.

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   1. 91

      Venkatachari Mposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      You can say they were real millions of years back. But, not now. The species had extinguished down through the ages. I believe it was like that only.

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2. 66

   Glenis Rixposted 6 years ago

   I ignore them !

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3. 80

   EricDockettposted 6 years ago

   If you are only going to give a short answer I think you may as well hide them. However, "Are dragons real?" is not a question I would ignore, if it was asked on an article that relates to that topic.
   
   "Are dragons real" is a term that gets a significant amount of search volume, probably in part due to Game of Thrones. You don't have to tell people dragons are real, but if you explore the question in detail you may be able to rank for that term. Or, write a whole new Hub about it.
   
   I remember a book when I was a kid  that explained in scientific detail what a real dragon would have to be like. Hollow bones like a bird so they could fly, etc. You could also explain why people in the olden days thought they were real.
   
   There is a lot to say there. It's 20 minutes out of your day that might get you some extra search traffic.
   
   Of course if the question was asked on a Hub about planting petunias none of that makes any sense.

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4. 62

   EricFarmer8xposted 6 years ago

   When I get stupid questions or questions that are not really questions I hide them. I see no benefit in answering them. I also hide questions if people ask something that the article answers.

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5. 94

   AliciaCposted 6 years ago

   I do a combination of what both Erics have said. If I think I can add new information even though I answered the question in the article, I answer the question a little differently in the Q&A section. If the question is a repeat or is strange—like the one I got yesterday that asked me if I was a real person—I hide it.

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   1. 80

      Patty Inglish, MSposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I handle these types of questions exactly the same way.

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      1. 83

         CatherineGiordanoposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks

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6. 70

   clivewilliamsposted 6 years ago

   Yes, Dragons are real. I caught one today.

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      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      There is one sitting on my coffee table right now, waiting for a coat of paint.

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7. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   I've had a pet dragon chained outside for years. Certainly keeps the solicitors away.
   
   Meanwhile, for reasons am not going to go into, I've turned Q&A off; problem solved.

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8. 84

   Kenna McHughposted 6 years ago

   I would answer that question because it is a trending subject. Like Alicia's, I would ignore someone who asked a question like if I was a real person.
   
   I have answered questions that are answered in the article because, perhaps, I didn't explain it well enough. I am not going to be arrogant and think of myself as the perfect writer and the reader is otherwise. I like helping, so if they are legit questions, I will answer them the best I can.

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   1. 62

      EricFarmer8xposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      By stupid questions, I personally mean stuff that is very off topic. Maybe stupid is not the right word, but I was feeling cynical after getting so many.
      
      For example things like "Are you happy?" Some people even submitted statements and not questions.
      
      I also find it odd how people TYPE EVERYTHING IN ALL CAPS. I GUESS THEY THINK THAT MAKES THEIR QUESTION MORE IMPORTANT.
      
      I also get some questions I couldn't possibly answer. I am not the developer of the games I write about, and maybe some people think I am?
      
      I have some guides on games, and some questions are just people begging for help despite the article being on how to get the thing they are asking for.
      
      I won't answer questions if I feel like my hub obviously answers them but I will consider if I need to write in more detail or change some things.

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9. 84

   Kenna McHughposted 6 years ago

   Eric, I haven't had all caps yet. When I do, I will be thinking about you. "Are you happy?" is irrelevant.  I would not answer that one.

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10. 83

    Jodahposted 6 years ago

    Even if the question seems trivial or the person just trying to be funny I try to give a sensible answer and as good an explanation as I can. Maybe that person asking the question really doesn't know the answer to what they are asking. In an article "How to Read and Enjoy Poetry" I got the question: "What is a poem?" I considered not answering and hiding it but decided to describe what a poem was and the various different types.

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    1. 91

       Venkatachari Mposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       That's a nice attitude. We need to be balanced in all respect while dealing such questions without being irritant.

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