And even though I frequent Facebook and Twitter I feel the need to get involved in yet another social networking disaster.
No, scratch that, I didn't feel the need to get involved in this, it just happened. You see, I asked a question on Yahoo! Answers. It was blogging related question. Most of you know that I'm pretty up-to-date about blogging. I really would not have asked the question if I didn't think there was tech-guru out there with a serious answer.
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Instead I get some smart comment with a completely useless suggestion that I was dying to give a thumbs down. I don't like to be negative, but really, this answer deserved it. Only one problem. I didn't have enough 'points' to give a thumbs down.
Yahoo! Answers has a completely stupid rating system where basically you have to answer 5,000 questions before you're allowed to give a bad answer a thumbs down (or a good one a thumbs up). For the heck of it, I decided to look in the Authors and Books sections to see if I could answer any questions. I could earn points, then I could let the person that answered my question know how deficient they where.
And I got sucked in. So many questions reminded me of my first attempts to write a novel. These people need my help, I thought -- and now I'm addicted.There's something about feeling like you have a bit of knowledge to share, and sharing it. Not to mention the thrill of getting best answer. It's a nice warm fuzzy.
Now I can hear you asking -- What is wrong with you? How is this addicting?
Let me give you an example question and dare you not to want to expel your expertise.
Am I the only that feels the burning need to answer this? Please tell me I'm not crazy!
23 comments:
Where you land on the line between the crazy and sane axes (that's plural of axis) is debatable. Plus, it changes day to do. It's similar to the crazy/hot debate from How I Met Your Mother.
I'm not a fan of Yahoo, and most of the times if I end up there looking for the answer to something, the information is often out of date or unhelpful.
Can you turn that ship around yourself?
Also, have you answered enough questions to thumbs down that response you received?
Step away from the world wide web. Unplug that internet, open that Word document, and begin typing your masterpiece!
Yahoo Answers sometimes feel like just a big massive train wreck of a social media platform. Once in a while, the answers are well thought out by a true subject matter expert. But most of the time, it's just people ragging on other people!
(I'm a fellow Campaigner)
Shame on you! You totally should NOT share this. Now we're all going to be jumping on the bandwagon! lol. Love it and I can totally see you answering it. Go for it girl. Whatever you say will be great advice :) (Now I'm going to try not to think about it so I don't start another addiction!) :D
Oh, dear. Now I'm going to have to check this stuff out...
I've never answered any of the questions, though when I'm searching for something on the Internet, I frequently find myself perusing Yahoo Anwers.
I'm resisting...resisting... resisting
Ah heck, I have to head over there now :)
The world needs our Help!! :)
Great post :)
5000 is a lot of answers to give! Whenever I end up there, through a Google search, the answers aren't useful at all, just like the answer you got. Perhaps Yahoo is full of people trying to get their 5000 quota?
Well, I can not deny that is a question that deserves an answer. An honest-to-goodness-GOOD answer that includes a link to various blogs that have mentioned plotting techniques.
Uh oh...
Must...stop...forming...answer...EEEK!
Think I will avoid that time suck for now!
I know I should dissuade you from addiction, but go ahead, it's fun to get obsessed about something. Enjoy it:)
Oh my gosh, that question totally needs answering! No plot - no story. Beginning writers... you might have a new addiction for me.
Hey, go ahead and answer them! Consider it practice for when you're a published author and aspiring writers come to you, seeking your knowledge. :) It'll happen.
Yesterday I came across a website that had the funniest answers to yahoo questions. Most of those questions were really stupid. Like, what language do Canadians speak.
You know, I've been to Yahoo answers before, but generally when someone already asked and answered the question I'm looking for. I've never asked one of my own, and if I had, It probably would have ended the same way as you.
Oh, and as for piniterest: This is the best thing I've found for motivation. It won't leave you hungry or thinking your house isn't pretty enough. http://pinterest.com/nchermansen/finding-the-healthy-happy-me/
Help! I know how that writer feels and I just want to go and help them. Please spare me!
No, you're not the only one--now I have the urge to go and answer that question, too!
anyone asking yahoo for answers about publishing is not doing their homework!
just because someone answers, doesnt mean they know what they're talking about.
sorry, i'm a total skeptic. you'd be great to give a good answer, but look at the answer you got...
too many "experts" these days...
Wow. Now I want to answer that question! I think as long as you feel it is important, that do it. But yeah...I'd totally get sucked into it. ;)
Step away from Yahoo. LOL. These people need more than just a random person answering their questions.
Have a great weekend.
Ha! No, not crazy. I can totally see why you'd get hooked. Which is why you should run! :)
I get caught up in the NaNoWriMo forums where people ask questions, they're up all year. I can spend hours doing that.
I can see it being addicting - back away slowly!
I get caught up on certain sites too. It's amazing how those hours can fly by.
While I'm conscious of plot as I write and have some big ideas, I'm a panster.
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