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Hey All,
The most interesting part of this wonderfully successful site is what motivates people to answer questions so thoroughly. Granted there is a percentage of junk answers but obviously there is more than enough value in most answers that keep people coming back. I can't imagine it's the money, so can we start a discussion to get people input? :)
I like to think and hope that I am helping someone who needs help in some way.
Ever see the movie Pay it Forward?
Yessir with Kevin Spacey, great movie. So people do it for the gratification of helping others? - I totally get that but I'm sure there's more to it.
Scott I thought you told me it was because it made you a sex symbol and all of the groupies that follow you around all day.
And of course I want to be discovered and be the new Rush Lindbaugh.
But beyond that most of us just enjoy helping people.
JK,
While I help,I realise some things that help me too.A sort of self realisation and the feel good factor:).
And by reading many of the posts here,there is much we learn from others and their experiences.
Could be the money(NOT!):)
Gives me renewed faith in humanity if this is the case. My motivation is to test myself to make sure I have an accurate self image of my skills and I just really enjoy being right lol! Kidding, but helping others is wonderful... payment enough
When I first joined I saw all sorts of terrible medical advice being given, still do as a matter of fact. Dangerous in fact. I stay around to help clear up misconceptions and help to put people's mind at ease.
Also, it is the Pay it Forward mentality for me too.
Truthfully Because I get bored and I feel my words are always right LOL
I love to share information and gain new info.
Saw Pay It Forward twice. Made me cry both times.
I'd love to have some terrifically tear-jerking reason why I answer questions. But I don't know. I have to admit it's a lot habit. It's already what I do for a living. I've always had a tendency to jump into stuff, even where my nose isn't wanted. :) I've always had a tendency to help people, and I've always liked teaching stuff. My first major was education. (Secondary education -- probably a good thing I changed majors, cause I'd never be able to stand what has happened to the school systems.)
But why? I have no idea. It does make me feel good when I know I've helped someone. Doing it in person is nice cause I can see whether I'm helping someone, whether they say so or not. And even though most people don't come back and say thanks, and some are downright ingrates, maybe it's enough when just one person seems to appreciate it.
Maybe I like feeling needed.
It's also possible it's related to the fact that I like to learn myself, so maybe I just like the sharing of info or something.
CHUCK! I told you that in confidence :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck
You traumatized my daughter with that :D :D :D
Only twice?Quote:
Originally Posted by morgaine300
During the last major blackout we had in the NE a few years back, I was trying to walk/hitch my way home from Manhattan to LI. I had walked to the Shea Stadium area when a couple stopped and offered me a ride. They actually took me all the way home which was a good 20 miles out of their way. They refused to take any remuneration for it. I did get their address and mailed them a copy of Pay It Forward (they said they hadn't seen it).
Getting back to the original question, there is a certain rush one gets, when the questioner responds that our advice had helped. Even though those that do respond represent the minority, when that happens, it makes the effort all the more worthwhile.
Actually, someone gave me a feedback the other day that my answer was better than any other received. And then this person posted several more homework problems, actually has attempted them (gasp!), 'listens' and tries to correct... the kind of person I can tell is actually working and trying, and I feel truly appreciates the help, even though doesn't always return to say so. That is the kind of person I enjoy working with, and that is when it feels good and makes it worth coming back.
Cool story, ScottGem. There are still people around who do good just for the sake of being a kind human being.
I like to help people. Period.
Because if I didn't intervene, the wreckage would look exactly like what happens when a drunk moron in a flimsy and badly maintained car going at high speed in the dark while playing with explosives crashes and turns the whole affair in to a tumbling fireball of shredded meat and metal.
That's why I do it.
I ask at lot of questions so I try to help other people in return. It's like you can sit in a WIFI hotspot and still look over the back fence to see what the neighbor is working on. Or take part in looking over their shoulder on their project, without having to spend any money . If I start one more home improvement project before I finish the ten or so I've got started, the wife will kill me. I
I think it's ingrained in all human beings to have the desire to help.. it just depends on the person if they listen to that urge inside them..
It does give a good feeling when we help.. if you look at it one way it looks like a selfish thing, giving your advise makes you feel better and wanted, but it's not a bad kind of selfishness.. helping people in the end is good..
I think we as human beings are selfish in everything we do, we can't help it, we are looking out for number one, it's part of surviving and procreating.. but like I said the selfishness of helping is not bad, it's just that rush that we get is self gratifying. I'm probably going to get a lot of crap for saying this.. oh well it's my opinion
Hello:
Help people?? Nahhh. I'm here to stymie the cops. If that helps somebody, cool. Plus, I like to show off and be a smarty pants. And, of course, you know how much I love to argue... But, most of all, I like to see my stuff in print...
Am I a giving altruistic sort of person?? Nope. It's all about MEEEEE!
excon
Magprob's onto something! This site could prevent natural disasters and accelerate natural selection although encouraging people to give it up and throw themselves into traffic is probably against the TOS. Mmmm Chris?
And here I thought it was all about gas, grass or a$$ with you, sir.Quote:
Originally Posted by excon
Hello Syn:
Well, them things ain't bad...
excon
I figure my occasional responses are in-kind compensation for all the edification and entertainment I get from the much larger number of posts that I read, but don't respond to.
As to how I choose which particular ones to respond to, I am without a clue. Sometimes I wish I would exercise more discretion.
It's a pay-it-forward thing with me, too.
As far as which I choose to answer--it's the questions I'm fairly confident in answering. I just want to help people, and I don't answer when my answers would be more of a hindrance than a help.
Yes, Synnen I haven't been here too long but sometimes a person will answer maybe not too helpfully, which knocks that person's question off the board and maybe other people won't see it and respond. On the other hand I have dredged up a question from page 20 or something, been on there for 4 days, try to give that poor person some response. Toss them a crumb, you know? Then almost immediately 2 or more other responses will come in. I mean, if you all had the RIGHT answer, why wait so long? But I agree don't overstep, don't give advice if you have no real knowledge is the best policy.
A lot of times, I only have time during the day to watch the forums that I moderate, if even that. Unfortunately, that means that other areas miss my attention.
When I have time, I do check "unanswered questions" and see what I can respond to so that they are not ignored, but even then many of those questions require specific knowledge--like plumbing, or legal, or whatever.
Welcome to the site!
magprob, love the sig!
I'm here to talk to girls about sex.
not really. Kidding. Kind of. I just want to talk about sex with synn and j_9 and alty and chicky and jolienoire... hmm all girls...
mkay. Honest truth is concerning the topics I answer most, AS and relationships, is I've made my share of dumb mistakes and great discoveries along the way... and if I can help someone avoid the mistakes I've made, or help them figure out how they can get out of their own way, or help them get the heck out when its needed... well, I'm just a sinner trying to get into heaven. Pennies in the bank man.
=)
humor aside completely... talking about sex and relationships is how you get better at it. Its just as much self serving for me as it is helping others.
Whatta Stud!
It's cool to answer, and not have to witness the body language of those who disapprove of what you said. But how much more helpful we might be if we could be seen.
[QUOTE=J_9]When I first joined I saw all sorts of terrible medical advice being given, still do as a matter of fact. Dangerous in fact. I stay around to help clear up misconceptions and help to put people's mind at ease.
'Bout the reason I stayed around (I found the site while trying to get a ? Ans'd). But for me it was hitting the pest control section. Besides, I have this innate desire to educate people. Doesn't matter on what subject. <G> There's just not enough quality knowledge being passed around... <G>
That's a really good question and source of open dialogue. There are several people on here that answer a lot of questions, very well. I love to learn. I like to share. My hope is that when I offer something it gives comfort and an additional perspective to someone like minded or in need.
I post because I learn from the various threads and see some incorrect legal advice that could really hurt the OP, really cost in the end.
And, of course, there's the whole groupie thing -
(And I've made some friends, people I admire and respect, search out their posts because I find them interesting and informative.)
And there are people who do the same for your posts ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by JudyKayTee
Sometimes, I think I know everything.
This site has a way of correcting that false impression, quickly at times!
I like to help, or at least offer advice, or more often, my opinions.
No one else has admitted yet, but I will, I love sarcasm, and make use of it regularly in my daily life.
Sometimes, with some of the stuff that gets posted here, there is no better opportunity to allow that sarcasm to run rampant, when the post deserves it.
Oh yeah, I do love to debate, as many of you here know by now.
And JudyKayTee has set me straight, more than once, and I'm confident that at sometime in the future, I will totally step on my tongue again, and am prepared for the immediate correction from her as soon as she finds it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottGem
Oh, okay, I'll buy - and wear - one of the "I Love Scott" t-shirts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by progunr
Just when I thought we were friends again -! :D
Like no one's nailed ME on a wrong answer recently!
Wow... I'm giddy... I made KP's list... ::blushes::...Quote:
Originally Posted by kp2171
As to why I answer questions...
I came here with a question, received awesome advice, and haven't been able to leave. There's something very enriching about being able to help someone that you would never have the opportunity to help outside of the web. The possibilities are endless. I love to think that something I say may encourage someone to keep going, smile a bit more, and appreciate the little sparkly moments of life.
And I agree with JudyKay... the whole "groupie" thing is da bomb. :)
Friends we are!Quote:
Originally Posted by JudyKayTee
I'd much rather be corrected by a friend, than a nobody!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Synnen
From what I can tell these are in the wrong order -
Quote:
Originally Posted by progunr
Okay, group hug, group hug!
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