It's addictive because it's thoroughly entertaining to help others solve their problems & offer advice, which benefits everyone! Not to mention ALL of the knowledge you can obtain via one website is a great additive!

It is a chance to exchange information. Those of us who hang out here seem to be information junkies. We love to learn new things, and to pass it on. I love it cause it helps pass the time (I am sitting at home recovering from a broken leg), and is a real positive use for the www.

It so informative. I love to here the answers to lifes little mysterys or just to hear other peoples opinions without getting into a debate. Who would of thought that learning would be so much fun?

If I knew that, maybe I could kick the habit! But I can't!! I'm hooked!!!!

Dunno, but I predict a total of 12 responses (including this one) by 12:00 PM 10/13 GMT.

DUUUUDE! This website is sooo cool maaan! WHOA i need some more...ahhhhhh

Variety.

It is becuase it is always good to get a GOOD answer to a question. I have noticed that this site is much better quality then Yahoo! Answers in terms of quality meaning the answers that you can get. I have got a lot of good answers and one that are correct. It could also be becuase the staff is better at clearing out crappy answers and questions. I know I like this site!! Yahoo! Answers has very hurtful answers sometimes. So this is a site that I would recommend

Because they secretly invoke a chemical reaction that releases a concentrated form of seratonin throughout your body.

It's the caffeine.

People like to see their names, thoughts and ponderings in print. Old saying: "Fools names, like their faces, always appear in public places." I am guilty too of course! :) :)

The blind leading the blind

Because everyone likes to think they are an authority. Also, I suspect that we adopt a "virtual personality" while here that satisfies some ego needs that may not be fulfilled during the course of normal living. Of course, I am projecting my motives onto others again!

because this site is just so cool and everyone here is cool.

Because you can ask questions like this and people will answer them!

Because you can learn here in a very fun and interesting way. You get rewarded for teaching people and that isn't something that happens very much.

possibly because you try to get alot of points and go as high as you can on the leaderboard

There's 2 major kinds of reasons -- one of them has been cited by several others: the joy of learning, friendships built, opportunities to share and help others, fun, etc. This all falls in the "good stuff" side of the answer. There's another side that's a little darker, but not really "bad" per se: participation on the bag is addictive to the ego -- rating points and positive comments are self-validating, hitting that next level and getting an "expert" label, dividing the users up into good people and trolls, etc. Most people would say, "well what's wrong with that?". Really, there isn't anything WRONG with it, but getting "hooked" on that kind of validation and identity-building does provide a false sense of clarity about who one is. You are NOT really your badge, your ratings, what others think of you, your great answers, or any of that stuff -- but it's very easy to get sucked into believing that these things define us. It's this darker aspect of the addiction that has some people concerned about whether AB addiction is healthy -- and rightly so. To take these things too seriously is to miss out on deeper, more profound ways to understand "myself". "Feedback addiction" is a reasonable term for this ailment, it's the chronic and persistent craving to be liked, to be approved of, to be appreciated. When this addiction isn't being fed (when you haven't had a "hit" for a while), the suffering kicks in: "why aren't they rating me up?" "Why aren't they answering my questions?" "Why do those DAMN TROLLS keep rating me down", etc. These kinds of thoughts are all signs of feedback addiction -- the incessant need for attention which displaces the intention to be helpful and self-expressed. It's something I try to watch for in myself (and succeed, pretty regularly!). The cure is to just notice it and relax, and recognize it for what it is. The ego never gets enough positive feedback to be satisfied, that's just it's nature. It will always be that way. There is no getting rid of ego, and there's no satisfying it. As long as one knows that, it stops being a big problem.

It is a great tool to pass the time and fun to share experience and inexperience.

Like the old Lays potato chip ad: you can't eat just one. AnswerBag is like that.

- It allows all people to express themselves and to feel appreciated by others. - Answerbag allows people a good way to spend their time through challenging their mind. - Quick source to guide people in making their decisions all throughout the day. - INTERESTING - Allows people to see and communicate new ideas and new questions and lets them be surprised when people give unexpected answers!

I think it is because you get immediate feedback - reinforcement.

you get answers to questions unconditionally.

When people are bored, and they know AB they get on, and sometimes stay on. I'm also racing my bro samandhol, i hope i will win even though he started AB before me.

Because im racing my sis, lolliepup, but she will win lol

I believe so. I like reading what other people think- as opposed to what I think- on the same subject. It's interesting, to say the least :)

It is a secret plot by your parents to keep you home at night! (You think you are hooked now, wait until it takes 300 points to move up a level! It'll make you bleed.)

I think it's a combination of things, some selfless and some selfish. Many people get pleasure from the act of helping other's. The ego boost we get from knowing or learning the answers to alot of questions is also a big factor. Don't tell me you don't beam a little bit when you answer a question and get 20+ points for it and several comments saying how great an answer it was!

I think it's like gambling. With every question you ask, with every answer you give, you risk points. You get a high from gaining points, and losing points gives you the desire to replace those points with more and more points. There's also the debating, which is just so damn fun. The angrier you get, the funner the debating. Oh yeah, and there's that helping people thing, too.

Because of the good questions and intelligent answer can be found only in this web

Because of the envirement the fact that you can help others out by giving your answers and of course gaining points and moving closer to becoming a sage

the fact you can make an idiot of yourself and no one really cares

Keep this secret. If THEY know it will be banned.

Well, it's more fun than work...I think the main thing is the point system - makes it interesting to keep checking back, see if anyone's answered your questions or positively rated your own answers.

Probably the concept of getting points and the huge amount of people that you can chat with. Answerbag could be the new MySpace if it only had some of the features of Myspace.

Asked and answered http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/133486

Is there rehab? I'm seriously not getting any work done...

I'm really trying to log out, but have to just keep checking, just one more time...

I think that it is the cocoa leaves that they coat their Webpage with. lol

Levels and points. It's impossible to leave here without attempting to move up a level. Well, at least we can safetly say that it is having its desired effect

It's making me wanna become a psychiatrist

Because its the thought of helping others with their questions, which both solves their problems and can in some cases cheer them up tremendously. However, for some its the point of gaining more points and tryin to get to the top of the leader board.

Because it provides an environment where people can readily share what they value about themselves and receive appreciation (in the form of comments and points). This is a sure-fire crack cocaine for human beings!

Because it is so great to hear feedback from people from all over the world on a question. It's also a nice place to meet great, well-informed people!

Its not addictive, I could stop any time I want, Get out of the way I need to answer something else

Maybe it's cause you can sound all officious about nothing and tell people what to do. It's fun to be an annonymous know it all, and have people desire your opinons.

That IS nuts. I assume you're talking about the console version. I wish they'd release it in PC, then I could easily not be here. Nothing like sniping some newbie who has no clue you're there and keeps coming back for more. :) Edit: How in gawds name did this get bumped to this category? This answer was originally posted to a question regarding the game called Call of Duty. WTG moderators...you should be a ref in 'Leafs" game.

because, very ightly, on every page on AB there is a swirling spiral and subliminal messages to keep you on here. Oops, i've said too much. Now they're gonna gas me.

koool

Cause it's awesome!

IT'S GROOVY!

It's nice to have a place where people want to hear your opinion, and you want to hear theirs. It's a fundamental need to feel wanted and appreciated, and this site provides that. At least, thats where I'm coming from in my addiction! Plus, the great people you meet make you want to come back.

I like to see all the questions I cant answer. I think it really put you in perspective, you are not better than anyone.

It's really a great place here and will keep you learning as well as entertained

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/64519 Tis is one reason. Not trying to hurt you here. but I can make a difference by hewing down superfluous questions so I can help maintain its high standards.

the people.

Really nice and smart people participating. Chance to "pontificate" without being a jerk and with minimum risk of being shot down.

The People and Sharing ideas and thoughts back and forth with each other

For me, it is going out on the limb in asking a question or giving an answer or comment and trusting that the AB Community will do its best to help out. It's always exciting to check out the responses and I thank all of you for your participation in this joint venture. :)

Because there are so many great people on here that give much thought to their questions and answers. I personally love the interaction and friendliness and the openensess from everyone. I ask questions here that I probably would not ask a friend or family member for fear of not getting a positive response or unbiased answer, whereas here I know that whoever responds is giving me a truthfull answer. I really do look forward to seeing familar names who like myself come here everynight as an escape. Thanks to you all!!!!

It's like a combination of MySpace and Wikipedia.

The MSG they put in it.

The ability to be sarcastic it comes naturally for me.

It is a fast-paced question/answer format that gives points for positive participation. You often answer and get instant gratification, via the points. Also the levels give an artificial "goal" to strive for.

9.9999999999949999999999

When I first joined I would give it a 9 but now that I have been here for awhile I give it a 3 it seems like alot of it is mindless BULL SHIT.

8 - Sometimes it has those dry spells with no good questions, but overall is addicting.

i'm gonna go with 8 but only because of those times when it lags a bit.

put it this way, it's now 06:57am and I'm still up and messing about on this damn site. 9.9 it is.

i'd have to say like an 8

I think its two things really, Firstly, the points system, it adds competition to what would otherwise be a normal chat enviroment. Secondly, the search options ensure that your question or comment can be revived thus making it permanent. Your right this is dangerously addictive!

I don't find it addictive and is just a sub-note in my life.

To me it's like getting mail(comments)I can't wait to see who is behind that orange light. I hardly ever look at my points until I know I am less than 100 points away to the next level. It's just a fun place to come to.

If gives the asker a chance to communicate with other people, which gives us a sense of belonging. It gives the answerer a sense of belonging because they feel like they are needed.

Plain and simple...the people here. They're wonderful. 'nuff said.

I find it really a great way to help others and meet great friends - and so many here on AB have helped me

They put crack in it!

It's the people. Where else are you going to find a mixed bag of nuts like this where everyone gets along? Not YahooAnswers that's for sure.

They sprinkle Opium on your keyboard when you're not looking!

All the wonderful people...especially the men. Ah-men... :)

because they put hidden sexual messages everywhere :3

People the great,special,loving,caring people!!!!!!!

they have these little internet "faries" that come at night and they program your mind to be oppessed with this site. $)

The people, the points, the commenting, the people lol

Being able to say what you wanna say, without fear or favor.

AB's addictiveness is well documented! Sorry, it's too late for you... But here's what I do when I start noticing that I'm using AB to avoid something else, or just sort of "autopiloting" my way along instead of really engaging in something useful: close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Just notice that urge to click, to type, those thoughts about "maybe I have some more feedback!", that thought that says "just one more question for my anxious fans!", etc. Take a minute to relax, then reflect on the other things you think you should be doing. Are you really avoiding something important? If so, consider what it costs to avoid... the anxiety it produces, the lack of satisfaction. Just sit there with your eyes closed until you make a CHOICE: either to log off and go do those other things, or to continue on Answerbag but really put your heart and mind fully into it. If you stay online, at least you'll be fully engaged and intentional, instead of drifting along in a soul-eroding haze!

I'm avioding writing some paper- so we're in the same boat- I'll help you by getting off with you!

Part of it are the absolutely great guys and girls you meet on here, with their sharp wit, brilliant minds and caring hearts. The rest is gravy...be it points, new facts of info, bits of trivia to mull over and expressing a point of view. Yeah, that is why I keep coming back. If it was all too mechanical, I would only use it as I would Wikipedia or an online dictionary. +

It's made out of cocaine. Exclusively.

Dupe. Flagged. We've had this question many, many times. Please do a search. Thanks.

Because you like getting answers from people and seeing there response on things and giving people responses back.

Because we are all part voyeur, part egomaniac and part needy. This site satisfies all of them!

It is just fun...absolutely fun! You got questions...AB has got answers...LOL -Buddy

Because of the great people in it!!!

Because it is interesting, a way to learn, and a way to meet some very nice people and make friends!!

Because of the amazinly wonderful friends I have made since being here.

To make this plain and simple, the people here are just wonderful, along with the great community and friendship.

Because it is similar to being with your second family.....in many ways, they are nicer - and they don't hit you up for money. Aside from that, it is a great learning and sharing experience and it is the fastest way to make time fly. I have no idea where the time I spend on AB goes to. When I realized that, I realized that I was addicted.

you get to talk to people when you want and say(pretty much) whatever you want and when you don't want to talk anymore, you simply don't. It's kinda like a no strings attached give/take advice happy place!:)

It is like a magnet and draws me in when I walk by.