Why do we get points subtracted for asking a question?

Checks and balances. :)

If points were awarded for asking questions, can you imagine how flooded the system would be with even more useless questions?

I'm assuming that Yahoo! decided to deduct five points from the asker's total in hopes it would ensure that users were asking only sensible, well-thought out questions... hoping that people wouldn't want to "waste" their hard-earned points on asking worthless questions.

It doesn't really work too well, I don't think, as many people don't particularly care about their points.

But, I think they want to make sure that there are more people answering questions than asking them, in hopes that there will be a wider selection of answers for the asker to choose from, and to ensure the asker will turn around and answer a few questions to regain his or her points.

Then, of course, the site encourages you to pick a Best Answer to your question, by offering a 3 point incentive.

So, theoretically, if you follow through and pick a Best Answer, you really only lose 2 points per question.

I see little reason for the point system anyway, but if I was the moderator I would ban the really stupid questions and invite yahooers to rate the reasonable questions with the thumbs up or down, the way the answers are rated. It stimulates the community when good questions are asked. A trivial or funny answer is fine but the same kind of question is a waste of time.

I think it's so too many questions won't be asked! And so that the questions will be sensible not stupid! Well if it's the latter reason it didn't entirely work cause some stupid questions still appear! Yahoo could exist without questions in a theorizing way! Asking Questions is an easier way!

If you choose a best answer to your question though, you gain three points, so you only have a net loss of 2 points. To give information, we receive points, but to receive information, we give points away.

You play, you pay. And if you select the Best Answer, you get 3 points back

To limit the amount of bogus questions posted by trolls

Should we go on strike and not ask any more questions?

because that's the rules....so why'd you waste your points on a unnecessary question?