Who agrees that the point system on Yahoo answers is not necessary?

I agree with you. Unfortunately people are greedy, and yahoo sees that as an opputunity to make money. I think yahoo would lose popularity without the points, people would be less inclined to answer. People need to reform themselves, yahoo can't do anything about that. They are just making a smart business decision.

Remember that questions take up featured space, whereas answers do not. Therefore, if people were to just create as many questions as they felt like without ever having to answer, they would just fill up space with stupid questions over and over again.

(Yes, the general public is usually pretty stupid.)

And anyway, people LOVE incentives. It's true that it's based on greed, and that it should be unnecessary and ridiculous .... but humans are by nature competitive and enjoy rewards. This is why reward point cards, frequent flyer miles, etc., have such a great effect.

I don't think it's unnecessary. I think it's a good way to keep people answering and not just asking, to reward people who take the time to respond intelligently instead of just saying "I love this question and I love you!!!," and possibly to encourage people who enjoy the exchange of information but also get a tiny thrill out of accumulation of points, no matter how "point"less.

I completely hear you. I'd like to say that points don't matter to me but I really got centered on them for a bit there and every time I get and email saying someone has chosen your answer as best! I think wow I did good then I see the points and I think mwahahahahaha yes my diabolical plan to conquer the world is working now if I can only get to level 20!!!!!!!! they must make a new level for conquerors such as I. Then I hit down to earth when i realize....oh wait, that's not money or power that's just hours of time I spent on line cause I was bored. hmmm ahw well.

You've answered your own question; it is an incentive to participate, therefore providing more activity for Yahoo! which is why they are doing this.

You think they just started this to be nice? BWUAHAHAHAHAHA.

Yeah, there's a lot of inane answers out there, and I really don't know how Yahoo! could expect to realistically "police" this area anyway, it's so huge. I guess they hope that those who aren't serious will just fade away anyway.

Well, you can get 2 points for offering a "blah" answer or you can make 10 points for offering your best advice. I like the point system; it keeps things competitive.

I do. I mean.......why do they do this? Yahoo!Answers should be for kids and teenagers who want to answer people questions for fun. But the had to make a point system. What reason would they make a point system?

I don't see the point of the points system, if all Yahoo is going to do is "Thank" you, and you have the "chance" of being a user of the day.

Who really cares about that crap?

Hey, I worked pretty hard to get to level four, I hear that if you get to level 10, you win the lotto, and suddenly receive enlightenment from a higher power.

What do you think that will be like?

i agree, of course the points system is not necessary, anyway no one will win money or something really useful, so for what we want the points, has no sense really.

well its a goal to work on and recieving answers is good enough for me plus its pretty cool togive real advice but who cares about the points/