Why Do So Many People on Quora Include Answers in Their Questions?
One of the most perplexing behaviors on Quora is the trend of users asking questions that already have the answer included. This practice raises several interesting questions: If someone is truly seeking an answer, why include the answer in the question itself? Fundamentally, the structure and intent of an answer differ significantly from an opinion or leading premise.
Understanding the Purpose of Open-Ended Questions on Quora
According to Quora's guidelines, questions should be open-ended, encouraging users to provide information and insights rather than just stating an opinion. The purpose of a question on Quora is to seek knowledge and information, not to affirm a preconceived answer. A well-crafted question piques curiosity and invites a wide range of responses, reflecting a broader perspective and encouraging constructive dialogue.
Common Reasons for Including Answers in Questions
Users engaging in this behavior may have various motives. For one, it could be an attempt to validate their own thoughts or opinions. Users often look for confirmation from others, hence the desire for an affirmative response. This can be seen in questions that end with phrases like 'And don’t tell me it isn’t because it totally is,' where the user is seeking agreement rather than genuine information.
Another factor may be laziness or a form of propaganda. Instead of asking a neutral question, they assume the answer and seek validation. This form of self-affirmation is more prevalent than meets the eye and can be quite insidious.
Other Motivations Beyond Seeking Validation
Examining the broader motivations, we see that many people might not know how to form a question properly. Some users might be driven by personal agendas, pushing their viewpoints through assumptions with embedded answers. Poorly formulated questions due to a lack of clarity or even copied homework questions highlight how the practice can arise from insufficient effort or understanding.
Further, there’s the issue of financial incentives. Quora Partners Program (QPP) encourages the generation of content to attract answers and engagement. When users ask questions they already know the answers to, they are essentially leveraging QPP to get responses. Questions that seek outrage or corrections are often filled with false premises to generate controversy and engagement, a strategy that often reflects a shallow understanding of the topic.
How False Premises Can Mislead
The concept of false premises is crucial in understanding why questions can mislead. Cunningham's Law succinctly states, 'The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it is to post the wrong answer.' This law highlights the danger of using a false premise as the basis for a question. Often, a user might include a false premise based on a faulty recollection of a topic, leading to misguided or misleading questions that generate incorrect answers.
Such flawed questions can lead to a cascade of misinformation, wastes time and effort, and can detract from the genuine value of the platform. Quora was designed to be a source of factual information and well-thought-out answers, but some users are leveraging it for personal gain or to validate their biases rather than seeking or sharing genuine knowledge.
In conclusion, while some users on Quora are indeed seeking genuine answers, a significant portion may be motivated by personal agendas, seeking validation, or using the platform irresponsibly. Understanding these motivations can help in improving the quality of questions and answers on the platform, ensuring Quora remains a valuable resource for genuine learning and discourse.