It's only human to want answers, but is it worth our time to offer thoughtful answers on a venue like YA?

Yes, it is worth the time.

No matter the outcome, we at the very least clarify our own understanding.

It's always thought filled or inspired answers I seek, but of late I have been hesitant to ask any questions because the answers are either cut & paste, written without much thought given, quotes of what other people think or believe, or just petty answers.

I do however enjoy an inspired troll answer for comic relief & many times they contain within the humor some measure of truth.

More than any thing else I want to hear your experience, what you have come to understand thru your experience & not just what you know intellectually because some book somewhere said it.

It's fine to quote but then tell me how you experienced the truth in that quote.

Yahoo has changed so much in the 4 years I have been here.

When I first arrived it was both educational & fun. I was changed dramatically by the answers I received here.

Now, well, it's just not as educational or fun as it was at one time.

Please don't give up on giving thoughtful answers, you never know who your answer may touch.

Many Blessings!

Yeah, I can identify with that concern. This morning 4 of us busted nuts to give thoughtful well researched answers to a good question . The question was inviting to a lot of people - it should have been open to a lot of inputs and healthy discussion for a few days.

However, the asker left the question open only about 2 hours and then chose the Best Answer. That stunk. And also what stunk was the asker gave best answer to a person who simply said (incorrectly said) "Well, the concept is the same" --- No thoughtful pondering or research or any new information. Just a lone statement like "Well, the concept is the same" ....... What a BS pseudo intellectual comment (in that case).

I don't care who the asker gave the best answer - that was his call - what I mind is the asker terminating an invigorating discussion. (Which was his right under the rules - his right to be a low-mental)

oh well,

See you later.

There are discussion groups available...but whatever the venue, in my humble opinion, it is the people that make or break it.

To echo's Uncle's frustration, I remember spending an hour on a thoughtful response hoping to generate some discussion only to find that the question had been closed out!

Then again, there are other times when I have had the privilege and pleasure of interacting with some exceptional people (e.g., I, Gene, Question That, Titou, Uncle, Karen and many more).

EDIT: I would like to add Armchair Goddess to my list- Have loved your political comments!

Quote from the World Series game tonight: "Stick to your strength. If you're a low-ball pitcher, throw that slider down, or the change-up down. Even if the batter is a low-ball hitter, stick to what you do best."

Your videos are icing on the cake, <I>, but your question-asking is the real gift.

Then again, this isn't a crucial situation here on Yahoo Answers. So it's a great place to practice. Especially as (at least in answering) we get the chance to edit, unlike in real life. As for Y/A pet peeves, mine is people who answer translation questions to foreign languages badly, especially when they vote for themselves anyway. And of course trolls who spew insults or blanket all answers with TD's. They are about as welcome as green gummy bears. Does ANYONE like those?

Water seeks its own level, some say. Perhaps those of us who do research our responses have impacts about which we do not know if others read our words and are favorably (or even unfavorably) impressed. The "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" feature offers a degree of feedback perhaps, or gives those with narrow minds an opportunity to vent in order lighten their load of whatever is blocking receptivity. Those of us with deeper perspectives recognize others with the same degrees of depth and often choose them as our "favorites", and those who skim the surfaces or buy into propaganda seem to flock together. In some cases, the shallow-minded have multiple avatars so that they are free to vote on their own inferior or inadequate responses, but by and large the Y!A venue does give us an opportunity to engage in verbal swordplay, which can be cathartic at times.

i like gummy bears. And to answer your question, yes it is. Some people on YA! answers are looking for real life answers to problems they may have. Also, some of them are quite smart. So if you have to time to give why not give it. If its not worth your time then leave

Of course it is. What's a few minutes of your time typing to someone through a computer anyways? You never know what kind of effect a thoughtful answer that you give might have to another person.

: )

Someone has to answer these important questions besides paid for spin doctors that roam Yahoo answers at any given time.

Where is a better place to debate about questions and answers with knowledgeable people?

Of course. I get to advertise my site, mightyniche.com, to a sporadically thoughtful audience.