ANSWERS: 100
  • Were you able to find an answer to THIS question on Google? I rest my case.
  • Wow, this question has the potential for endless answers. Here are a few possible reasons: A lot of the answers can indeed be found using Google, but answers to more specific questions (such as those found in the Dating section of AB for example) are not as easy to find using the Google search. With Google you must wade through all of the results to find the answer to said question most of the time, AB offers a concise at a glance list of categories/questions that one can choose from to find answers. Questions and answers are also grouped together for ease of use which is nice. The answers found an AB are rated by other users, so it is easier to see whether the answer you find is reliable or not. Having said that, AB does not guarantee the accuracy of answers, but ratings by other users are very telling. If you cannot find the answer you seek on Google, you can use Google Answers and pay $2.50 a pop. On AB you have the option to ask a question and get an answer for free. Of course Google Answers has professional researchers and claims to be able to answer the question posed within 24 hours. So, if it is a burning question that you must, must, must have an answer to quickly. . .it's your $2.50 :) There are many other reasons, but hopefully this helps.
  • Some people don't know how to use search engines. Some people are too lazy. Some people want the prestige of asking the most questions on answerbag.
  • I've wondered that same thing, with questions like "what is the capital of Ecuador?". What's next -- "how many fingers do humans have?" I have a sneaking suspicion it is just plain laziness.
  • i believe that some people just want to hear others opinions on certain situations and would like to open up their options.
  • I think there are different factors for different people and situations. Certainly laziness, ignorance of search engines, and wanting to hear a range of opinions occur sometimes. But another aspect is simply that it allows them to interact with others. Answerbag is a form of "social networking" website; talking to other people -- even virtually -- helps to reduce the sense of isolation we have sometimes. Its like asking "how are you doing" in a social setting; its not that the answer is all that crucial, its just the mechanics of social connection.
  • Maybe they dont want actual factual responses - just random insane things ;P
  • Search engines can lead to answers that are correct. They can lead, also, to information that is incorrect. Some web sites spout ignorance, superstition, false myths, and some are fraudulent and are set up just to bait visitors to schemes designed to rip people off, steal their identities, or plant computer viruses. New viruses, new fraud schemes, and new pretenses of knowing things nobody knows are put on the web every day. A healthy amount of skepticism, caution and common sense are good things to have when one uses search engines, or any web site, for that matter. Also, the height of laziness is to use a search engine rather than to engage in reading from responsible published sources. Authors, textbook writers, publishers can have reputations to protect. Web pages, on the other hand, can come and go, and can be hard to trace sometimes; so if they mislead or do harm, the person behind the page may be difficult or impossible to trace. Let us not be too hasty to call people lazy for NOT using search engines. Checking MANY different sources of information, one against another, is helpful And checking information off the web against reputable printed texts is even more helpful, for one who wishes to obtain fairly reliable information.
  • Maybe this is more efficient in some cases. Have you ever done a search for something and got so many false positives or clutter that you spent hours looking at everything but what you were looking for? Depends on what you are searching for I guess. If someone wants to save time and get a more direct and quick answer, more power to them. (FYI you will not find the answer to your question on google.)
  • it's because they want an opinion of people, plus it's easier to ask on her then to search for ages on google or yahoo it.
  • it's because they want an opinion of more then one person in the same place, plus it's easier to ask on here then to search for ages on google or yahoo it.
  • Its personal communication. i hate talking to a computer. they are cold and indifferent. On answerbag, you will receive an answer to your question, by a warm body. you may not like the answer, but at least it came from a human, not a frigid computer.
  • So they can build up their questions list on their profile.
  • Case in point: I tried Google for my Brian Baker question. While Google easily tells me he was let go when Sprint merged with Nextel, I wanted to know what became of him since. Got nothing. (Don't have an answer on this site, either, come to think of it.) Anyway, Google doesn't have all the answers. And Answerbag is more fun, too. :-)
  • Because Answerbag= the new and improved...Myspace.
  • Interactive, responsive, delightful, enjoyable, fun...
  • BECAUSE IT'S THE HUMAN CONTACT BEHIND IT ALL ...ANYONE CAN GO TO GOOGLE AND READ SOMETHING OFF THE INTERNET ...ITS MUCH MORE COMFORTING WHEN YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY READING YOUR QUESTION AND TAKING TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PROBLEMS AND HANG UPS ...HOPE IT HELPS
  • No offense, but this question has been asked and answered more than once already http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/74201
  • From what I have read, some want validation or approval for something they have done. Others, simply want other opinions to help make their own. Many kids on here ask to shorten their homework time. Lastly they realize they are anonymous, and they are able to feel free to ask anything, and another human being will answer. That beats Google anytime..
  • It could be likened to having sex with a partner or taking matters into your own hands. AB is like an orgy of brains!
  • Because most people don't know or can't find the answers they are looking for, AB is not just full of answers but helpful advice pertaining to the human experience. We are a community of human conciousness, and without it the internet would be as exciting as a cold and calculating ten digit calculator. Sites like AB give the internet a unique persona unlike any other form of media in the world... sadly it is in jepordy, as corporations like TV, cable, and telecommunication corporate conglomerates are trying to get control over the new Internet2, scheduled to be implemented by the end of the next decade. Meaning that blog sites like this one will be policed and censored, and you won't get to ever hear my true opinion ever again. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=209842906347732903&q=they+want+your+soul&hl=en
  • Because if they ask the question we all get the chance to look it up and all learn something. I think that is the idea anyway.
  • Dunno... will have to google this one :)
  • because of the interaction here. opinion and the right answer. like coffee and doughnuts.
  • please remember, AB is also in the internet. All the info in the net needn't be rt, u may have ti scrutinise the diff answers and see what is rt. A real expert would be able to answer ceratin qtns from his experience easier. And ofcourse, someone wants to save the trouble of searching up in the net too ..
  • Because it's fun to get a lot of different opinions
  • Some questions are not easily answered on the internet, e.g. the one you are asking. However, I know where you afre coming from becuase many are easy to type straight in t ogoogle for example and get an answer. THe internet is great for finding facts (not so good for opinions). A lot of the time I think people are trying to find what people think rather than the true answer. Othertimes I think people ask the question - maybe just to get points. (I gave you 3 by the way lol) So many reasons, but not all of the good.
  • I cannot answer that, because I dont know. I do know, when I need to research something I look it up. However, on here everyone has a different opinion, different suggestion and an entirely different outlook. I truly dont understand the ones who post about an animal choking or their child having a medical crisis etc. But we are here to help, regardless.
  • you know someone asked this very same question and it was refused? why?
  • Because it is the journey, not the destination, that matters.
  • Because that is just too easy.
  • And you can get alot of different opinions rather than just yes and no answers
  • Where's the fun in that ... AB is also for learning more about people, places, and lifestyles plus the knowledge ...
  • because they're not that smart
  • there are various answers including: 1)some of the questions are non factual, opinion and the like 2)some people are not as good at other in regards to research, and panic at the sight of 100 33 pages of possibilities if you put in the words "Egyptian religion" 3) some are lazy and like others to do their homework assignments for them 4) some enjoy sparring with others on topics dear to them 5) some like to hear personal experience rather than cold statements
  • Joel Downs, the founder of Answerbag, believes that asking 'natural language' questions is a better way to look for information than trying to think like a search engine and that Answerbag's format allows for the best answers to natural language questions to come to the fore. Here's an interview with Joel about this topic (and others): http://www.socaltech.com/interview_with_joel_downs,_founder,_answerbag/s-0007273.html
  • 'cos Google doesn't have a sense of humour.
  • If I wanted google answers I would use scroogle. I like to see what the AB community has to say about things. For example I asked about Palindromes and which ones people knew. At first I got some good funny ones, some regionally specific ones (which I found interesting) then I got an answer that there is a palindrome website and after that I didnt get any more responses from the community and I was somewhat disappointed. I am looking for human feedback, not just answers.
  • They need to be spoon fed.
  • I used to think that, but then I realised that some of the questions I thought it about encouraged me to research them. I wouldn't have bothered if the subject matter hadn't interested me, so I think some of these questions can be quite valuable.
  • They want to see what other people think, and because some of the things on google arent what their looking for.
  • I will break it down this way... If you want to get off.. you can 1) Masturbate 2) Have sex with someone Sometimes you can go it alone and google and other times you want interpersonal contact
  • well people on this sight, most of the time already know the anser and just want conformation. Or are like me and want those tasty points...
  • I once did Google something that I wanted to know about. And guess what? It pointed me to Answerbag for the answer! That's how I discovered Answerbag!
  • Some of us arent that smart I agree with Fake_Snake
  • Isn't this much more fun?
  • some people just want the opinion of others then to have facts
  • LOL Agreed!
  • Because this is a site called Answerbag and that's what it's all about.........answering.
  • They want to see what other people think, because sometimes Google doesn't show the info. people want.
  • I KNOW! You're getting points for that! :)
  • Because it's often easier to get an answer here. Conversing with people rather than than a computer is often preferred (even if the people are over the computer). And the possiblity of points is nice.
  • I don't know, but if that person would've not posted the question, I've would have forget about the conversion and that upcoming test. It helps others also, doesn't only have to benefit the questioner.
  • It seems that everybody is in a rush for lack of time.It is easier to have questions answered by someone else.
  • They might be too lazy. I don't know.
  • Actually, I usually go to google if I have a question that will submit to ordinary research methods. There was a time when Answerbag was somewhat as you've described: mostly oriented around factual answers and expert opinions. Those days are pretty much gone now. I would describe Answerbag more as a social-networking site now: it's a great way to meet people, expand your understanding of life from different perspectives, have some fun, make friends, and -- if you're so inclined -- get into deep and sometimes fractious discussions about any and every topic under the sun. I like it. I do think a lot of the conversations are rather superficial, but I've learned how to navigate around to the people and topics I'm interested in, and so I don't worry about the "fluff" too much.
  • Or opinion questions. I agree. If you can google it, do.
  • The site is called Answer bag which means that it should have answers to any and all questions that should arise. In order to fulfill this mission statement as I assume it is, all questions under the sun that are valid and important must be asked in order to fulfill the usefulness of this site as a potential research tool to the millions of Web users who are unfamiliar with this site but seriously are interested in obtaining an answer. If Answerbag consistently provides timely and accurate answers to questions that the non-initiated people to this site have, the higher the quality of this site, simple enough.
  • I Googled your question and got this as the first link: "McCain Stumbles on H.I.V. Prevention By Adam Nagourney McCainSenator John McCain at a town hall meeting today. (Photo: Greg Brown/Associated Press) SOMEWHERE in NORTHERN IOWA — The unthinkable has happened. Senator John McCain met a question, while sitting with reporters on his bus as it rumbled through Iowa today, that he couldn’t – or perhaps wouldn’t – answer. Did he support the distribution of taxpayer-subsidized condoms in Africa to fight the transmission of H.I.V.? What followed was a long series of awkward pauses, glances up to the ceiling and the image of one of Mr. McCain’s aides, standing off to the back, urgently motioning his press secretary to come to Mr. McCain’s side. The upshot was that Mr. McCain said he did not know this subject well, did not know his position on it, and relied on the advice of Senator Tom Coburn, a physician and Republican from Oklahoma. His press secretary, Brian Jones, later reported that Mr. McCain had a record of voting against using government money to finance the distribution of condoms. All this took place on the second day of the reprise of the “Straight Talk Express” bus trips that Mr. McCain made a central part of his campaign in 2000. It also comes as Mr. McCain has eagerly been trying to ease strains with social conservatives in the party who, for the most part, do not support using government money to pay for condoms. A transcript of the encounter follows. (Weaver is John Weaver, his senior adviser, and Brian is Mr. Jones, his press secretary): Reporter: “Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS?” Mr. McCain: “Well I think it’s a combination. The guy I really respect on this is Dr. Coburn. He believes – and I was just reading the thing he wrote– that you should do what you can to encourage abstinence where there is going to be sexual activity. Where that doesn’t succeed, than he thinks that we should employ contraceptives as well. But I agree with him that the first priority is on abstinence. I look to people like Dr. Coburn. I’m not very wise on it.” (Mr. McCain turns to take a question on Iraq, but a moment later looks back to the reporter who asked him about AIDS.) Mr. McCain: “I haven’t thought about it. Before I give you an answer, let me think about. Let me think about it a little bit because I never got a question about it before. I don’t know if I would use taxpayers’ money for it.” Q: “What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence?” Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “Ahhh. I think I support the president’s policy.” Q: “So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?” Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “You’ve stumped me.” Q: “I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?” Mr. McCain: (Laughs) “Are we on the Straight Talk express? I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception – I’m sure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support the president’s policies on it.” Q: “But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Would you say: ‘No, we’re not going to distribute them,’ knowing that?” Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) “Get me Coburn’s thing, ask Weaver to get me Coburn’s paper that he just gave me in the last couple of days. I’ve never gotten into these issues before.” This went on for a few more moments until a reporter from the Chicago Tribune broke in and asked Mr. McCain about the weight of a pig that he saw at the Iowa State Fair last year." Does that answer your question?
  • Blasphemy!
  • You don't get that "personal touch" on Google.
  • How do you google: What do you think about some subject or other non-factual answers. This site is a Q & A knowledge base and anything that helps expand upon it, the better.
  • It gives one something to do other than google questions.
  • We get live, honest, funny, quirky, amusing, controversial, and sometimes factual answers.
  • I like having the anecdotal answers based on peoples' personal experience, rather than just the "sterile" answer I might find by just Googling.
  • You get varied opinions here, not just one. You get serious answers and some humor thrown in for fun. You get points, comments, and friends. Google Shmoogle!
  • i don't ask questions that i could get answer by googling them. i hate that. i always see these questions that are easily answered by google and wonder why people didn't just do that.
  • AB is a more fun way of doing it!
  • It's more fun on AB you get different opinions on the same question and comments; not just an answer!
  • I actually found this place whilst Googling. Google sent me here and I got the answer I wanted. I dunno if it was the answer I needed but i liked it and I'm keeping it. You aren't gonna see a word like whilst on Google 'lessen your Googlin for it. Besides who ya gonna beleive; some Google found site written by some college professor or a master mechanic or a cordon bleu chefor such; or the bag where friendly folks with a pawn shop desktop and a modem or even an anti-social adolescent dropout with a library card are just waitin to be informationally educational?
  • Google is a good, reliable way to get factual information, although it desire require some sifting through to make sense of it all. (Or a really good knowledge of their search algorithm and the appropriate hacks. =D) Answerbag is a good way to talk about social things. Things like relationships, ethics, philosophy, opinions and the like. You can plug as many terms as you'd like into Google, but I don't think you'll find open minds and people who have experienced a broad number of things to help you with a problem.
  • I just kinda get a sort of sexual satisfaction out of asking questions here.
  • I searched everywhere, in Google and in Wikipedia and in some other places, but I really could not find any answer for this question. In fact, there are many such questions here. And for many questions, where you would think that you could find the answers with some googling, you will be surprised to find how many different, interesting, creative, funny answers you can sometimes get.
  • The Google answer will not promote discussion. AB is not about you, it's about the collective. An opportunity to share opinions and gain insights.
  • Its good hearing from the horses mouth sort of speak and from life experiences. From what I hear, wikipedia ain't all that reliable.
  • They want your opinion or they can think of nothing else.
  • Duplicate, this question has already been answered.
  • Google is not interactive. Answerbag is. The truth is very often that they want some interaction with people.
  • Why is Google better than AnswerBag? On AB, you get an answer from a human.
  • Sometimes it is hard to narrow down the answer you want in all the information that is on the web, so it is nice to get something succinct from other ABers.
  • There is probably a whole lot of different reasons.
  • Its almost like bitching about what other people do or should not do.
  • They want to know personal opinions of members here rather than googling for routine answers. Our minds are as different as our finger prints - no two are alike. You can not fix rules.
  • Because it's always fun when the #1 result of a Google search is Answerbag:)
  • there isn't any interaction except with a computer.
  • Because it is the fun of learning that which we may not even think of learning, it's part of AB, it prompts you to search for the answer + :o)
  • I think they just are educationally challanged. I don't even have to google a lot of anwsers, just trun around and look in a dictionary or the World Almanac (gasp! books!)
  • If I'm unsure about an answer, I'll look it up to make sure. Also, I don't view most questions as a contest. As long as the asker gets their answer who cares how they stumbled upon it?
  • It's more fun asking the question on AB. I don't mind if someone uses google to answer some of my questions.
  • It's fun looking up answers for people. Not only do I learn new things in the process, I'm able to submit a qualified response. As for "cheating", I haven't read anywhere about not Googling answers. Our purpose here, I thought, was to share knowledge through questions and answers. If the answer is good, I could care less WHERE it came from.
  • I only ask such questions, currently, if my restricted, military internet won't go to any websites about the subject.
  • I never Google my answers and yes that would be cheating and cheating to me is as an act of lying, deception, fraud, trickery, imposture, or imposition. Cheating characteristically is employed to create an unfair advantage, usually in one's own interest, and often at the expense of others.[1] Cheating implies the breaking of rules. The term "cheating" is less applicable to the breaking of laws, as illegal activities are referred to by specific legal terminology such as fraud or corruption. Cheating is a primordial economic act: getting more for less, often used when referring to marital infidelity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheating
  • I Googled that and it came up no results.
  • opinions
  • Because people like to interact with each other. We like to read other people's opinions. We like to share ours. We like to learn.
  • Well google has so many answers that sometimes it overwhelms me. I have found a sort of communtiy here and I like to "talk" with the people.
  • The really easily googlable ones can annoy me. Any that make me think I enjoy. Or just fun.
  • You can't start a conversation with Google. Some of the answers you get spark interesting debates or at the very least some memorable conversations.
  • Google can't give you it's oppinion! But I see your logic...
  • Because here we get a personal opinion or answer, in fact we get several answers and it is good to compare the answers. It makes my mind become broader.

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