What percentage of questions asked here are genuinely asked to seek an answer?

1. 81

   petenaliposted 13 years ago

   What percentage of questions asked here are genuinely asked to seek an answer?
   
   ...and how many are asked to incite an argument or debate?

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2. 96

   peeplesposted 13 years ago

   Inciting a debate is looking for other's answer. Quite often I wonder if others have the same opinion as myself or if I am missing something in my thought process on something. Knowing others opinions on topics makes a person able to look at a situation from multiple directions and not just their own. To answer your question directly no one knows. Personally I ask mine seeking other's opinions, thoughts, and answers.

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3. 0

   Charles Hiltonposted 13 years ago

   It helps if people answer the question within the framework that it was asked.
   It's impossible to start a debate on this forum, because everyone is allowed only one answer. So, that definitely isn't my purpose.
   I apologize if I seemed stern in my response to your answer on my question. The only reason I responded to your answer was so that future potential contributors would better understand my intention with the question.
   I initially thought you were being a smart aleck, but, afterwards, realized that you were just relating your approach to God. And even though I wasn't asking for peoples' views on God, I should have let it go.
   Again, my sincere apologies.

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4. 61

   Eliminate Cancerposted 13 years ago

   Well, since I can't tap into the heads of everyone asking questions, I can't really answer this without completely making up some obscure theory.
   
   But personally, I don't ask ANY questions to incite debate, although I think there's plenty of that in the forums.
   
   I ask things that pop into my head, and they range from something that might be directly useful (gardening tips, or cooking ideas), to random musings about life (is there a such thing as "love at first sight")...
   
   So, there seem to be two variables - 1) who asks these sorts of questions, and 2) who asks questions more often.  I suppose I could probably come up with some algebraic formula to quantify this for you, but ultimately, that still wouldn't answer your question.

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5. 0

   wilbury4posted 13 years ago

   Many are religious, repetitive questions that get asked regularly maybe with slightly different words.
   I think some ask questions as a personal challenge to see how many answers they can get, regardless of the topic.
   Some are provocative to incite an argument, or at least a reaction, though maybe not seriously to cause issues.
   Some, I would guess only a few, will be genuine questions to which the asker could benefit from the answer.
   What is this question? .... do you genuinely seek an answer from which you will reap any benefit?

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6. 85

   kallini2010posted 13 years ago

   I think strictly speaking your question cannot be answered because "what percentage?" implies a quantifiable answer.  The next "unknown" - who asks a question...
   
   Even if HP run statistics on Questions and Answers, it is certainly impossible to run statistics on intentions.
   
   My rule of asking a question is specifically to avoid a debate that is why I steer clear of forums. Forums become endless and draining discussions.
   
   I expect the question to be answered or at least I hope to get an answer.  Who would want to ask a question not hoping to get answers after all?
   
   But there is one aspect of my strategy that HP frowns upon sometimes.  I ask questions to write an answer later myself.  To me, an question is an essence a topic for a hub and those answers are the best.
   
   I see whether the question gets any attention, what people think about it and …no, I don’t steal their answers.  I am curious and my curiosity is genuine.

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7. 34

   edhanposted 13 years ago

   I do believe through questioning we will get more wisdom. People are always curious about things and using questions are a form of method to know better of what others are thinking.
   
   I remembered when my daughter at 3 years old, the way she asked all those questions sometimes find hard to answer. But I tried my very best to give as accurately as possible to my knowledge. I am trying to impart my wisdom to the next generation so she can carry on doing the same thing for her children.
   
   We are ever seeking answers to many questions and I can say that through all the questioning, we learn from it.

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8. 85

   ii3rittlesposted 13 years ago

   I think most questions asked here are to stake opinions more than answer anything.

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9. 59

   Naomi Jayneposted 13 years ago

   Probably not many ..
   
   Impossible to put a percentage on it, you'd hope they were genuine.
   
   To seek an anwser, well not sure for some but to see others opinions if they aren't sure on something-yes!
   
   Some to win an accolade etc
   for a argument, maybe some,
   
   Its good to see where other people are at in life and to help them out-is always good karma.

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10. 0

    mcals71posted 13 years ago

    Petenali, I'm not sure I read you right because arguments and debates require a back and forth kind of dynamics that we don't have here. However I'll throw in my two cents, hoping not to miss the mark by too much. Let me say that I love Edhan's remark about his three year old daughter asking a lot of questions. What a wonderful stage, isn't it? I'm once again going through that experience with my three year old grandson, and I love it. I respect people who ask genuine questions, perhaps because I love to learn, and I want to better understand the world around me, yes, even at the ripe old age of 64. There is a little child in each one of us that always wants to know more, so here we are simply given an opportunity to ask questions and to voice an opinion. I'm genuinely interested in what others have to say, and frankly I don't see anything wrong with that, whatever the motivation.

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11. 71

    Nagatangposted 13 years ago

    I do ask questions that I already knew the answer, but yet I did that just for the purpose to create awareness toward a situation that I feel everyone should know but don’t.
    "Home, Should I buy or rent? What are advantages & disadvantages of buying or renting?" for one.  Yet most people "buy" in a "so much cheaper to rent” neighborhood.
    So what percentages got to do with genuine to seek an answer or not?  Asking question for some could be wanting to get extra information on the topic.....
    
    Say it 50/50.....which normally don't happen in the real world. Say it 20/80.......
    Cheers!

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