Asked by Gregory Lewis ^(1,502)
Gregory Lewis 20 days 4 hours ago. (More question by this person)

When you answer a question in Q&A, do you already know the answer, or did you have to Google it?

I've suspected, and recently confirmed that a few people will simply go to Google or Wikipedia to answer the questions in Q&A. In one question, the first two answers were virtually the same cut & paste from the same source. Sure, one answerer added a couple adjectives here and there, and only slightly rearranged the words. This seems like cheating to me, and if not cheating, then it cheapens the fun of Q&A.

I mean, cut and paste! How lame. If you don't know, then give it your best shot, who cares if you're not a genius? Do you think readers can't tell your answers were looked up? Jiminy Christmas, I can look up my own question if I wanted it answered that bad.

Your answer to this, and all my questions will be graded for honesty and originality!

- G

Answer from Ronyae ^(4,476)
Ronyae 19 days 21 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
   Selected as Best Answer!   
G, I never use outside resources other than my natural knowledge ... and television, of course (smile)

Comment from Gregory Lewis ^(1,502) 19 days 18 hours ago.
I think television counts!

- G

Answer from Marty Brill ⁽⁰⁾ 19 days 21 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
You mean this isn't a speed contest? I thought that obvious right/wrong questions were posted to see who could look them up the fastest. Aren't they?


Opinion questions no. Factual/trivia questions absolutely I look them up. I find the internet to be a convenient solution for not having to carry around so much clutter in my brain like in the old days.

I never copy/paste though. I do retype the data into my own words. Does that count?

Comment from Gregory Lewis ^(1,502) 19 days 18 hours ago.
The internet is a smart solution, Marty. I think it's the "I don't have to think, I just cut & paste from Wikipedia" part that disturbs me. That, and the speed contest mentality you mentioned.

Some people use the internet, but they really give thought and explanation to their answers. That's great, because they are still thinking.

Thanks!

- G

Answer from Marijo Phelps ^(2,847)
Marijo Phelps 19 days 21 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
All of the ones I have answered so far I have answered from the top of my head or some from my heart. If you google an answer how can it be "yours"?

Marijo

Comment from Gregory Lewis ^(1,502) 19 days 19 hours ago.
I wish I could divide the "winnings" between the three of you, Ronyae, Marty Brill and Marijo Phelps. You guys deserve it.

- G

Answer from Ben Morrish ^(7,929)
Ben Morrish 19 days 8 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
I usually answer factual questions "off the top of my head", and if I'm not confident my answer is right I'll usually say so, or give my answer followed by a question mark.

However, I will check my facts on other sources, or compile a bit of supporting evidence, before answering if I think it's important a correct answer is given.

SearchWarp questions are highly ranked in Google, so a lot of people looking for the answer will see the answers given here...and on questions about important topics, I think its ok to double-check your facts first, so as to provide those people with the best information you can.

Highly ranked, accurate answers help fight against the spread of misinformation and innaccurate answers, so fact-checking is fine by me.

Copy-pasting answers without understanding them, checking them, or being interested in them, seems fairly pointless though.

Comment from Gregory Lewis ^(1,502) 19 days 3 hours ago.
Ben, you've added a new twist to the plot, I must say, about SearchWarp Q&A having a high ranking in Google, and that people might rely on our answers for factual information. However, that is not accomplished by copying and pasting from a pre-existing suspicious source, namely Wikipedia. It would be, as you say, spreading misinformation. Even if Wiki was authoritative, why the need to replicate it across the web? Obviously, many questions, like, how did French Fries get their name could easily be answered by a simple Wiki look up.

Other questions, like, how do you know a poison mushroom from an edible one are a little more complex, and there is plenty of room for knowledgeable mushroom hunters to share their first-hand experience.

So, do you think SearchWarp Q&A should become a more serious venue?

- G