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by Jodie44 on January 21st, 2007

Jodie44

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Why does someone bother writing answers like "I don't know, but I wish I did" or "It could be anything. Call your _______."? Does he/she realize non-answers are non-helpful?

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Answers. 17 helpful answers below.

  • by Carmella on January 21st, 2007

    Carmella

    I don't think so. Either that or they're hoping they'll get an odd point or two.

    It's the same as people who answer questions which clearly go on the assumption that Gd exists with an answer 'Gd doesn't exist'.

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  • by UltimateFighter on January 21st, 2007

    UltimateFighter

    im not sure....no im kiding i do belive people do this to signifiy that they to would like to know the answer and during the same time they put there comments about it for example " i dont know but i think it has to do with....." and stuff like that :)

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  • by danielcboyer on March 14th, 2008

    danielcboyer

    They have nothing better to do...

    Chevalier Daniel C. Boyer

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  • by Anonymous on March 19th, 2007

    Anonymous

    I think sometimes, depending on the question asked, that some questions really are worded in a way that is hard for most people to understand. I sometimes will write that I am not certain of what they mean by the question, answer it with my interpretation, and suggest that writing a clearer question will get them better answers/results.
    In the case of someone asking a clearly worded question, i would not be able to understand why someone would answer so obtusely, except to say that maybe sometimes people are feeling a bit cheeky or silly and maybe that is why they do it.

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  • by unknown on March 19th, 2007

    unknown

    I ask for more information or for them to clarify the question if it is unclear so that I can answer. If I don't know the answer after the clarification I say I don't know.

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  • by billjoe on March 19th, 2007

    billjoe

    maby they have to many point (j/K) but i think they are try to be funny when they say i dont know or they are stupid and those stupid answer sould be not posted. but i think i dont uder srtand can be good at time ecuse the person may have the answer u need but what ever

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  • by ChillWinterheart on January 22nd, 2007

    ChillWinterheart

    Because sometimes, saying that it's better to ask someone else IS helping.

    I've seen a question here once that asked "I have these really grave symptoms [enumerates them] what could it be?" And it was answered with "I'm not sure. It might be better to call your doctor and ask him."

    And in my point of view, it's the PERFECT answer. It could be a disease that needs immediate medical attention, and asking about it to strangers on a website isn't really the best way to treat it.

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  • by Mirage V2.0 AWOL on January 21st, 2007

    Mirage V2.0 AWOL

    I doubt these people value their points, so why should I?
    Flagging and downrating are available options that AB intends us to use.

    They are not the AB equivalent of the Death Penalty.

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  • by BLynn4487 on January 21st, 2007

    BLynn4487

    That does seem like a waste of time (both for the writer and reader). I love rating answers, but I'm always hesitant about down-rating them (because I know how much I hate getting down-rated), but when someone puts no thought into an answer and types "I don't know..." I don't hesitate hitting the thumbs down.

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  • by Carluck on January 21st, 2007

    Carluck

    So are non-questions :-)) . I agree with you. Such answers must be flagged out.

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  • by Anonymous on January 21st, 2007

    Anonymous

    i dunno....
    hehehe
    p.s. your avatar hurts my brain

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  • by Simply msFortunate on March 19th, 2007

    Simply msFortunate

    Some questions genuinely need clarification. If the poster has not worded the question in a way that people can understand it, it certainly warrants exploration. People who post saying, "I don't understand" are really being helpful, but not quite in the way most people think.

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  • by donovan reynolds. on March 19th, 2007

    donovan reynolds.

    The reason people bother posting "I don't understand this question" is because most of the time instinct would lead one to believe that if they can't understand it, most people will not be able to as well. So, by asking, they are probably just seeing it as helping everyone out-- the question gets clarified, and the answers are more accurate. If they are making an effort to say they don't understand, they probably have some grasp on what the question is asking already, but just need some clarity to answer it well, and they probably intend on editing it.

    Why people say "I don't know," I have no idea why any one would do that. Usually it's the newer people, so maybe they aren't as accustomed to AB as most of us are. Or maybe they are just jerks. There are a lot of possible answers there...

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  • by Jacket_Dude on March 19th, 2007

    Jacket_Dude

    I understand that you are talking about me, I apoligize for that, it is to hint to you that you ned to edit the question so others can understanding it, isn't that easier rather than being rated down for having an unanswerable question.

    Cheers.

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  • by Anonymous on January 22nd, 2007

    Anonymous

    It's often newbies who do that- I think perhaps they haven't grasped the idea of the site, and think the point is more a question-based chat, than people asking for specific answers, you rarely see long term users doing it.

    I agree, it is annoying when you (or someone else) asks a really valid interesting question, you get the e-mail telling you it's been answered log in and find that someone has just written "I don't know."

    Not that "I don't know" in essence is a bad answer- some things you CAN'T know for sure. But you have to provide something extra- if its about a medical condition for example, you could provide a link to an authorative site with some advice about the condition AND suggest that they go see a Doctor.

    It's equally annoying when someone answers with a link to wikipedia page on the topic ("Gosh really? An online encyclopedia? I never realised that was there!") or tells you to "Google it".

    Because it is generally newbies, it's probably nicer to leave a comment telling them that this isn't a terribly helpful answer rather than actually rate them down for it.

    If someone answers with something like "I don't know, interesting question." You might suggest that in future instead of responding to the question they add it to their watch list so they'll be notified when it does get a sensible answer.

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  • by nevets - badgicide on January 22nd, 2007

    nevets - badgicide

    I think that its because there is no feature to comment on the question and they want to say something. As a result you get lots of half-answers.

    For example, someone was asking for help after someone close to them died. I left a comment saying that I don't know how to help but I offer my heartfelt condolances.

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  • by munchkin_kids_downunder on January 21st, 2007

    munchkin_kids_downunder

    so if someone asks if their pregnant, i have to write yes you are, or no you aren't, instead of it may be possible. those questions can never be answered correctly. the best is to tell them it is possible and go see your doctor. is this really a problem.

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You're reading Why does someone bother writing answers like "I don't know, but I wish I did" or "It could be anything. Call your _______."? Does he/she realize non-answers are non-helpful? - which can also be phrased in the following ways:

  • Why do people bother posting an answer when it is, "I don't know" or "I don't understand this question"? It is not helpful in any way and most likely will only be rated down. What's the use of doing that?

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