What is AB?

[newtron]

Is AB a place where one goes to get objective answers to specific questions or is AB a place where one goes to get judged and lectured about his/her behavior that is assumed based on the question?

[kags]

If you ask any diverse group of people a question, you will get a variety of answers  - some will give you an objective answer, some will lecture you, some will judge you, some will answer a completely different question to the one you asked. It's no different here, you get a cross section of replies which will at least get you thinking and you can report anything you find offensive. No point in always taking advice from the people you know are going to tell you what you want to hear is there? 

[newtron]

If I'm asking for someones opinion or their advice on how to deal with a situation, that's fine, but if I'm asking a specific question that has an absolute answer, then lectures and judgements don't help me at all.  I have heard other ABers talk about the difference between a chat room and an answer bank.  The line separating the two is obviously very thin.  maybe there is no line.

[kags]

Well I'd have to agree that if you are entitled not to be judged and lectured, but it's a public site and you will get all sorts of replies, not just the fair and unbiased ones that some of our regular contributors make.The alternative is even more censoring than we have now, which all in all I think would  be to the detriment of the site.   I also agree that the line between this site and a chatroomis thin, getting thinner too.

[kags]

Could I just ask which was the question that prompted this one?

[Greedyfly]

Ohhhhh......... I think it depends on what is asked and who indeed asks it unfortunatly

[Ewood27]

I can only speak for myself, newtron.  I will normally answer a straightforward question (if I can of course), but if it's a badly worded question with a really simple answer I assess that as someone who's too lazy to do the simplest research for themselves, usually someone who wants their homework handed to them on a plate.  In those cases I'll maybe tell them to look in a dictionary or point them towards a reference on the Net that they can look up for themselves.

 

In other words, if you could have found the answer yourself easily, I won't present you with the answer.  I come on here to share my knowledge, not to save you doing simple searches.  I won't be rude though.  I'll ignore the question instead.

[Philtaz]

It would be helpful if you gave us the original question that appears to have caused the furore.

[Bangkok]

It does depend on the question.  Subjective and / or emotional issues (e.g. how many sexual partners is acceptable) invite people to make subject and emotional comments.

Objective questions should elicit objective answers (although debates on who is correct may occur).  The exception to this seems to be if the act is illegal or immoral.  'How do I cheat at' invite abuse (see the recent question on red diesel!) 

 

Homework questions get a variety of answers depending on the phrasing of the question (polite, well structured questions get taken seriously)

 

[5029]

both

[newtron]

Thanks for your replys.  I must admit that there were only a few replys to certain questions that prompted this one, and it is not important which ones they were.  Personally, I enjoy AB as a chatroom.  Almost all the good questions don't have an absolute answer, and therefore promote the exchange of opinions and ideas.This question, for example, was definitely designed to start a discussion.  As for most questions with absolute answers, I don't think AB is the best place to ask these types of questions.  One would probably be better off doing their own research as suggested by Ewood27, by using a search engine such as google or by going to the library. 

[Oneeyedvic]

Ah, but Newtron - what is true - can anything be proven to be true?

 

Take The Moon Landings - I could find you 'proof' that these were filmed in a studio just as easily as the 'fact' that it was real.

 

Everything you hear or read is someones opinion - I always judge something according to the source.

 

Regarding AB, I personally generally go to the News area which is more for discussions. I also post to Money & Finance as I work in the industry and try to help people. I do get annoyed though when people put 'wrong' information. I do study this subject and can say I know a fair bit about it. Other people just seem to guess or go on hearsay. I try to qalify my remarks with links to government websites and relevant laws.

 

 

[newtron]

good point Oneeyedvic.

[Octavius]

Can I join in this chat room?

[ezapf]

The first two letters of the alphabet, capitalized.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't read the whole question.

When I ask a serious question on this site, I hope for a bit of comedy along with some serious answers. Some people like to judge and lecture. I consider that part of the comedy. Don't let a big bad bully at a keyboard bother you.

[keltik]

the comedy makes me laugh, the lectures help me assess my valuesand in the end the entire AB experience helps me whether i feel it does or doesnt at the time. <my most spiritual answer yet dont ya think?>