Why do the same half dozen people answer all the questions on Askville?

Perhaps that's an exaggeration. But I was just looking at some of the recent answers, and there were very few respondents. Years ago, there were more folks answering questions.

We seem to have some very dedicated "answerers," some of whom also come up with a lot of questions themselves at times. That could be a very convenient way to "bury" questions they deem undesirable, to keep them from being seen or answered, could it not? Asked by marneymagic 15 months ago Similar questions: half dozen people answer questions Askville Amazon > Askville.

Similar questions: half dozen people answer questions Askville.

At the risk of being included in that half-a-dozen since I have a little spare time before going away for a few days.....I think its because those few people either need to get a life, are bored and have nothing else to do, or derive some sort of satisfaction out of answering questions. And, as long as they're actual questions and not of the "I read a book in 1995" category, I guess there's really nothing wrong with it, but I'd think they really could find something else to do - unless they're like me - they come here when they have 10 or 15 minutes to kill and are bored. This place isn't as much fun as it used to be.

I answer if I have experienced it or if have an opinion. If you want just select people to respond you can chose to forward it and warn the rest of us not to answer. Would you feel better if you are ignored?

Heavens, no. I don't know how you would get the impression by reading my question that I might feel better if ignored. Actually, it seemed to me that there was a sublte control being exercised by a few folks who answer very many questions, even with nonsense answers, and then ask questions to "bury" other questions (that they deem politically incorrect) that they don't want casual perusers to see.

BTW, I think your hedgehog is quite cute :) marneymagic 15 months ago .

I think you are very cute myself. Wink, wink! .

I have time and like to participate. Nobody is excluded. But if it is too much, I can slow down.

Just say so.

When I worked at CIA and later on as a librarian, my work was answering questions. It is a skill. And a habit.

But I enjoy working on an answer until I "get it right. " .

Thanks for the smile, Geppetto. I can't help it. I guess it's the German in me.My brain naturally "does" statistics, whether I want it to or not.

It just popped out at me that the same folks were answering almost every question. You would probably have noticed it, too, if, before you signed in, you were looking for your question that had been asked weeks ago and had no answerers. Marneymagic 15 months ago .

I mostly answer questions that are of interest and feel I can add to it. Otherwise I avoid Q's on computers, home improvements, and politics. ;-) .

Well, how to "bury questions:" Let's put it this way. A few weeks ago (or longer), I asked some questions that probably struck some folks as "politically incorrect. " One of those questions only got one answer; the other, zero.

Other questioners came along and asked other questions, so mine got pushed further back in the stack. Unless someone were specifically looking to answer political questions, they would not be found by the casual visitor to Askville. So, I called it "burying" them.

I was wondering if those of the opposite end of the political spectrum asked questions they were not really interested in finding the answers to, simply to hide my questions from the broader public. It's possible, and quite likely, given the political climate that wants to suppress "politically incorrect" speech. Marneymagic 15 months ago .

Actually, it's always been that way. A certain number of 'regulars' that enjoy signing in each day to ask, answer and visit with friends. We've all asked questions that ended up in the crapper or become 'buried'.

Personally, I stay away from questions that are simply going to turn into an insulting match, usually politics and religion. They're a 'no win' situation. Different people have knowledge and give answers to various topics, so, if you only ask one type of question, you'll probably keep seeing the same people answering them.

That's just the way it is.

Well, it doesn't have to be that way (an insult match). I try to keep it respectful and factual. Personally, I think some folks on AV used to be way more insulting several years ago; I'm glad Askville polices the remarks to discourage the venom.

But I'm glad you say you've asked questions that have remained unanswered, too. Thanks for answering. Marneymagic 15 months ago .

Good question, marneymagic. I think that alot of people do just run by and quickly peruse and then get back to real life, as OH said, and that explains part of it. Another part can be explained by people who have a good measure of spare time on their hands and, therefore the time to answer more questions.

I also think that people have answered questions and then been discouraged by the reaction that they have received from other AV members, so really, I think it is acombination of factors that contribute to it seeming like the same people answer all of the time. JMO, though. BTW, IMHO, there are a LOT more than half a dozen smart people on AV.....just because someone's opinion differs from yours does not make them less intelligent, just of a different opinion.

;~P .

Thank you for taking the time to respond. But, just to set the record straight, I didn't say there were a half dozen smart people on AV. I was repeating what NormanL said.

I like your screen name. Blessings to you! Marneymagic 15 months ago .

I realize who made that comment and did not mean to imply that it came from you. I apologize for not making myself able to better understood, I was just letting you know that I think there are many smart people on AV, we just don't all agree all of the time...Blessings right back to you, marneymagic! .

Because there is only about a half dozen smart people on AV.

Or-- not to be argumentative-- maybe there are only a half dozen who think they are that smart. Some of the answers certainly aren't very smart. Thanks for your input :) marneymagic 15 months ago .

Seems about right. Marneymagic 15 months ago .

" "This is to all of the people of askville who wishes to answer....................................

This is to all of the people of askville who wishes to answer....................................

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.