Are question boards such as this one more effective at spreading knowledge, or stupidity?

Question:

A web site such as this seems to be a great idea for spreading knowledge through the masses in allowing people to ask and answer any question. However, a problem occurs when one considers that most people are more interested in reading and answering nonsense and drivel than in actually learning something or growing in any way. So then, doesn't it become the nonsense and drivel that gets passed around through the masses? Spending large amounts of time swimming through a web site full of useless jargon and unintelligible banter seems like it would make someone dumber, doesn't it?

Answers:
lol. yes, it would seem that way, but is that any different than your day to day dealings with "actual" people on the street?

personally, i post in hopes that something i say might actually affect positive change for someone out there. it doesn't have to be for the orig poster, but if i'm able to shed some light on something that teenager on here has not thought about yet, then i consider that worthwhile.

Other Answers:
BOTH

Yes, yes it does, but it is fun nevertheless! I think mostly this site is used as a boredom cure

both

You need to use your better judgement.

I'd have to go with both too..
some people take this stuff too seriously.. probably were the one's who got their books knocked down by bullies in school..

If yahoo didn't feel compelled to use points, mostly only intelligent people and those with valid questions would visit.

As it stands now, it is more of a disinformation site.

it's all just entertainment for trolls. yee haw! It depends on how you take the result. I think it promotes both. Ignore the stupid ones and don't contribute to it.

Yeah, I guess it does. But how else am I going to spend my time at work.

I suppose I could work.

It may seem strange to earn points for answering a question on here and asking one and that is the part where you could call it stupidity. Where someone asks a question ans people have to answer it then that is spreading knowledge. I think that these boards do a variety of things, if your interested in picking up on your skills of humor or sarcasm, you can learn by practing in response. If you really want to stretch yourself you can and hopefully even some of the people whom answer questions that don't affect the mind interms of what we would call "educational value", may learn some things in the process. Oh and provides some people an odd sense of humor. The unfortunate side effect, I find is that it promotes discrimination. If no one reports that individual for their comment or question.

I suppose that can be one way of looking at it, but I also think that it is therapeutic because some things are amusing. It also allows people to vent and say whats on their mind. I have come across some enlightening information and intelligent answers. It is also fascinating how people have different ways of looking at specific issues.

I would say both. It has it's advantages and I would say they outweigh the bad or stupid. For most ppl it would be more effective of spreading knowledge.
Source(s):
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060621023453AA6HEVX

Well, the whole point is to propose a question and hopefully get at least a couple good responses in between all of the bad ones. Yes, it is possible to spread ignorance through something like this as well, but keep in mind:

A person puts up a question, and is looking for an honest answer or advice. That person is going to sift through all of the answers and attempt to find the ones that make the most sense, and appear to be correct. In this sense, I think it spreads more knowledge and understanding than the opposite. but as with anything, we are human, and we will only take away what we put in.

I find it addictive and entertaining. TO look at the majority of both questions and answers I'd say it both spreads and demonstrates the amount of stupidity out there today. TOo many people are just uninformed and to lazy to look at opposing view points. It's like a bunch of kids 'my teacher, or this celebrity said this so it must be true and I believe it'. They never look any deeper and ask if the teacher or celebrity has an ulterior motive or maybe just wrong to begin with. They are also afraid their friends might disagree and make fun of them for being different, And well we all know actors or actresses are just such geniuses now aren't they. LOL

There are large numbers of people who frequent these sites who tend to write stupid, idiotic replies to questions that are otherwise serious and deserve appropriate attention and empathy.

There are also a huge number of bigots, ignorant people and just plain under-educated folks who try to spread their bigotry through boards like this one.

But the positive thing is we do have enough common sense and knowledgeable people on the issues specific sites and an option to "report abuse" whenever people try to cross certain lines.

More Questions and Answers

The consumer health information on youqa.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.

Are question boards such as this one more effective at spreading knowledge, or stupidity?

Health Resources