Why do people not ask serious questions that others really would like some input on?
490680
Well..to be honest some just ask ques just to ask, some ask ques to get points, some just ask!\n\nMy view is ask smart questions and you should get smart answers!
228006
It is really hard to tell the tone of people when they are asking questions.. As you see more and more of their postings you can tell when they are joking.. but at first sometimes people take sarcasm or irony for seriousness.
177292
Yes, most of the questions could be answered by doing a search.  However, a lot of people want other peoples opinions.  They want to be able to relate to a human being rather than a machine.
230028
Why don't you ask a question?
1184035
I'm agree with you about your words 'serious questions get serious answers in my book. but stupid questions get stupider answers (with a bit of raunchiness in it) :D'\nbut when serious people ask stupid question gets sarcastic answer, they can get really unhappy bout this and start attacking back at you.
554027
people generally give important answers to silly questions because they respect theirs partners in conversation. you are a lucky person if you met these people. that means they respect you and the conversation, even though it is a silly one...
540479
Im not sure if thats true but it seems that most people are only interested in the answer to their question and dont want to go through reading the whole "why" part.  (aka people dont want to read alot.)
294266
Agree. Strongly agree. Why? Because for one, there are things that I say on Yahoo! Answers that people I know in my daily do not need to do. There are just some things that you dont mind stranger knowing because they are less judgemental... or that they really won't say anything to you... or that they you will tell you straight up what they think and you don't have to give a crap about it.\nFor two, there are some things that people ask over here regarding to those people, so it'd just be awkward if they found out.\nAnd for three, sometimes its just better so then they wont start answering your answers and then ask you questions regarding the question that you asked that they answered.\n\nWow, that was a mouthful...
617485
There are, of course, many humourous and also silly questions. But the interesting part of "Answers" is to ask something you really want to know, be it a clear answer or just opinions, and thus get inputs which are interesting or of help to you.\n\nTalking about my experience, I have asked several questions about something I wanted to know precisely, and got  the right answer, which was really helpful and I appreciated.\n\nAs far as the answer one gives to other's questions is concerned, for me its the same procedure. To me it makes no sense at all to want to impose one's opinion to others. For such purpose you would need a chat procedure having a dialogue, and not just your answer to the question.
721377
Because people want to ask questions about everything, and don't really seem to care if they are posting in the right area, or even asking semi-intelligent questions.
472807
Yes, I catch your drift.\n\nI ask questions that interest me intellectually or emotionally, but that doesn't mean the question is necessarily ABOUT me. I just want to know what other people think. Some of our Y!Answer friends love giving advice so I suppose they assume it's all personal.
635314
The fact is that most people don't want an answer.They want someone to reinforce their own ideas.People don't want to hear the truth.Sometimes the truth hurts a little and we prefer to live in denial. The true path to a mature and productive life is to listen to others and learn from them.Good answers should be received and accepted no matter whether we like the answer or we shouldn't ask the questions.
834723
Sometimes people arent as lucky to be "as smart as" you want everyone to think you were.\n\nsometimes young children might be embarrassed, might not have anyone they trust to answer those questions, or even not have anyone around.  Their questions appear to be petty to you, but to me they show what might be late bloomers when it comes to dating, appearance, reigigion or whatever.\n\nsome questions here come from childish people who just like to spark controversy, or release their racial impulses and condescention for others, but there are some ligitimate youngsters, and adults whos questions are real to them.\n\nSince when is it dumb to ask questions.\nIt only becomes dumb when someone else makes them feel dumb for asking.\nIf you dont like a question, dont answer it.  Let someone else come along willing to understand that theres a person behind the question.\nBe it for childish antics or because they are truly confused.\nBut Id hate to contribute to further ridiculing or depriving an already baffled person from something they cant get an answer for and are truly searching for one.
917797
Maybe because there not interesting questions.  Just ask something silly and people will respond....Good Luck!
294590
Like what? Seriously, I don't if they go on to expound on the subject and end up giving me useful information. But if it's just a curt, "what do you mean" response, they should be smart enough to at least give some answer to a plausible question or not answer it at all. In general, I think most people appreciate good questions and good answers.
877068
Well...I usually only answer the questions that seem serious...but you are right.  Sometimes I get provoked into answering questions that have no point.  All it does is get me angry and hurt my witness.  We need to be careful what we say, and who we bother answering.
572286
Because some people want to know the answers from other people rather than their friends... because sometimes your friends don't know the answer so you want to find out some answers from some other people that may know the answer to your question.