Why not add an option for articles?

[Zevon]

Instead of a thread comprising of lots of people with different views repeating each other or just insulting each other, as regrettably happens, why not add an option for articles, longer essays written by one person on a topic, then a different thread of comments on the article.

These would mostly apply for science/technology etc. with articles on e.g. electricity (Lots of misconceptions and innocent small mistakes could be addressed with some basics), How to make a website or build a computer, a guide to starting an instrument or a band w/advice, books, songs to try etc. Or any other things you think woulkd make a good article.Just a suggestion for thoise who want to write longer answers.

[dot.hawkes]

That's pretty much what the newsletter is, top right of the main page.

[B00]

Pretty good in theory, however in practice you'd then need another section for the folks who disagreed (always someone around to prove your theory/discussion wrong aint there?) with the 1st thread.

[joko]

well then you may as well skip ab altogether and just google for info...

[Zevon]

No not simply for info, but a proper personal essay, with people's views ideas and recommendations. You could write about a book or whatever. Something that is not a question but you want feedback and comments from other people. Or something that you need a little more detail to explain such as answering several questions in one go or asking a more depth question. google will give you one specific answer but not the feedback from a large group.

I don't want a HOW2 style article on 'How to build a solar panel' but an article about solar panels, uses pros/cons and opinions, maybe an anecdote and personal experience. Blogs that are easier to find and have a specific purpose.

The fact that newspapers still have columnists proves that it works and that people don't always want to google it. Think jeremy Clarkson or Bill Bryson. And please any budding journalists back me up.

[joko]

but this site is a q and a site, not for a few random people to spout off about a subject at great length.

most people ask a q and want answers from various people, not one big long one from one person.

there are enough know-it-alls here who are often misguided, misinformed and deluded and giving them unlimited word space to spout off opinions about any subject will just be tedious and potentially misleading.

i understand your point and the theory is good, just not on this site - there are too many amateur experts.

perhaps you should start up your own website for this purpose?

i think it could be interesting

[Zevon]

I know its a difficult concept, basicsally it arises from te fact that most blogs suck noodles. They ramble, rant and are often just gibberish from the self-importnat and egotistical. The option for a sort of q and a session afterwards is what this site would ad to the idea of a well constructed blog with a definite purpose.

Also for beginners with a question about say basic electriucal circuits (a lot of recent questions regard the need for a return current path and whether having an empty plug switched on does anything) could look at a short article about basic electricity.

I know its not really q and a but the site is answerbank and answers can be given without a question and further q and as could be stimulated by an article.

Still just a thought-probably my secret desire to be a journalist.