(posted here to catch the airsoft folks...) Seriously, all I do on here is answer the same dozen or so questions. People have no incentive to search to see whether their question has already been asked, and so all I see is a constant stream of the same inane (and often misspelled and/or moronic) questions.
Lately I've started only answering new, difficult or unusual questions, but having to trawl through the dross for the one worthwhile question a day is getting very old.
And what do we get in return? Usually there's no word of thanks and with about 90% for questions, the asker doesn't even bother to choose a best answer.
So, once more here's my question. Why should I, an expert in my chosen fields, devote a not inconsiderable of my time and effort to supplying the same information over and over again?....
Agent: Yip2009-10-12T21:02:47Z
Favorite Answer
you should keep contributing because you know a bunch about airsoft even though some people are idiots and do that, a lot of people can get a lot of knowledge from you. And I also have learned a lot from you.
I have the exact same thoughts. Most of the time it is people posting "What gun should I get?" or "Best sniper?". These questions are very repetitive and I pretty much give the same answer. I feel like I shouldn't answer them because 1) they probably won't listen to my advice because "That gun is to expensive" when they don't understand that $150 is cheap! 2) Like you said I type all of this out and don't even get a Thank You or a best answer. 3) And I hate having to explain to little kids that a sniper rifle is not the best first airsoft weapon. They just don't get it. =/
I have started not to answer some of those and I usually don't even bother if they don't have good grammar in their questions or lots of links. One thing I can't stand is people who just post link after link without spacing or pressing Enter.
I personally would love to yell at people and be all sarcastic and stuff, but then again, I have a good reputation going and such and plus that isn't going to give me a best answer. I mean, I really do love helping people out like telling them a good starter AEG or a reason why not to get a sniper rifle because I have learned from my mistakes and seen my friends, but it can be hard. I guess you just have to have a liking and patience to answer repetitive questions. I've been playing airsoft for about 4 years now so I know how you feel.
I personally do it to see how many points I can get before the incoherent ramblings from the slack jawed, thankless fools drive me to kill myself. WIT A GOL PLATE DEAGLE YO.
One of the truest statements made on Yahoo! Answers: "And you're right, most people here are braindead imbeciles, there is no incentive to give real answers most of the time" -Value.addedrevelation();
Hopefully to further educate the educated. I suggest not answering the questions of the mindless drones of today's youth, but reward those who can...use the shift key. I personally am, for the most part, completely useless when it comes to non-US laws regarding airsoft. There's a fellow I've been e-mailing for the past (at least) two months about manufacturers, retailers, upgrading, pricing, and what he should purchase. One of the most grateful and logical beings I think I've ever encountered on this website.
My suggestion: If you want to keep racking up points, bookmark the 12 or so generic questions you end up continually answering and when someone asks a similar question, just paste the link as your answer. I'm sure I have over 2000 from doing that. Quick easy points for me, happy enquirers.