Was it to actually give people help in solving their problems or was it intended to create amusement?
205486
They said it was something about a global forum for sharing knowledge and information.  Problem-solving and amusement are not necessarily mutually exclusive; there's no reason it can't be both.\n\nIn the terms of service there's a thing that says they're not responsible for the content of the posts.  When you signed up you had to check a box that said you agree to that.  So no, they're not vulnerable to lawsuits over people taking bad advice.
76655
People that are shallow are intrigued by this challange.  It gives them something to do.  Something to focus on in vain.  But karma has a funny way of doing things, which will usually result in unhappiness.
676424
yes. and then i think of better ways i could have answered a question. and i also wonder how these people chose to handle their problems. who's advice did they read. do they read it all ,if so who do they listen to? some people give really bad advise adn some give great advise.
580296
i think it can be used for all you have mentioned.\nonly i don't pull pranks on people.  the points don't matter to me. for me it is about making someones smile. giving a solutions to questions. have learned alot from q&a.  i have made many friends through this site. for me it is a good way of relaxing after a hecktic day.
149158
You get to be your very own doctor phil, helping people out with their problems :) Its not really a game. They only use the points guide to suck people in
434316
If people weren't afraid to do what was right?\n\n\n(I think that sums up what you are trying to get at
623332
It is helpful. As with alot of mental disablities depression can come and go easy. So you may be able to take someone and 'cheer them up.' and than as soon as your drop them off they are meloncholy again.
537815
entertaining. gives me some laughs,it gives me a chance to have some insight to other peoples problems,maybe give them some ideas to help them,maybe not! it gives me a reason to truely  think about the world around me.it gives me some great information. it nice to need to know something and get the answer as soon as possible.
398285
Alot of it yes. Intelligent people find ways to work things out but some people just like causing problems for others.
230449
Yes they do think they're being helpful. Some of them even think its a compliment. Sometimes people are such idiots
161300
It was a ploy.  They only did that to play on peoples fear so they would vote for Bush.  And it worked.  I think it was horrible to use people like that and more then that, to screw around with people's emotions.  Immanuel Kant (a famous philosopher) said that you should use people as ends and not means.  Which basically said that we should never use people to get other things.  Bush I gets skip that part of being a good human being.
93804
It could be because they aren't sure if the questioner really needs an answer to the question, or if it is supposed to be a joke. Everybody has a different way of looking at things--what you find funny, might horrify me. What I find funny--might horrify you. \nI am assuming that you are looking for a plausible explanation here, and that this is not simply another light-hearted question.
97552
My questions have been opinion rather than seeing a solution to a problem. I hope I've been about to help others in my answers. Some have said so, and I've been surprised at how often my questions have been selected as best answer. That makes me feel good, as though maybe I was able to help someone. \n\nBut I do love the humorous answers. Some of them have been so funny that I've had tears running down my face.
348653
I think its because its the quick "solution" to blame others for problems instead making real effort to find the root of the problem.
385294
Most of this is Entertainment for Some.  \n\nYou get a few good answers, a lot of crappy ones.\nI know it's annoying!, but what can you expect???
365819
It can work but don't expect to be happy.\nWhy would you want to do this to yourselves?
420205
i think the only real purpose is to make people laugh.\n\n\nsure it could mean any guy can i make a movie nowadays,\npeople are sexist, racist, blah blah blah.\n\nbut the real message is probably laugh your @ss off.