How many questions is too many for posting on MeFi? February 23, 2006 2:05 PM Subscribe
How many questions is too many for posting on MeFi?
Hi, my name is x, and I'm a MeFi Addict ('hi x!').
yes, it's come to the point in my life where I turn to this site because I know it'll have links/commentary on a variety of issues. I know if I post a question someone will inevitably have a good answer... the question is, what's the ratio of questions I should ask to questions I should answer? If I ask a question, is there some sort of karmic payback I should perform - i.e. try answering a few questions in return? I certainly don't want to seem like I'm a lazy person here. I honestly come after I've done a bit of research - honest!
Just curious - or is this too meta perhaps? I don't want to outstay my $5 welcome... although if a certain site owner had a donation button that might help me sort out my karm ;)
Hi, my name is x, and I'm a MeFi Addict ('hi x!').
yes, it's come to the point in my life where I turn to this site because I know it'll have links/commentary on a variety of issues. I know if I post a question someone will inevitably have a good answer... the question is, what's the ratio of questions I should ask to questions I should answer? If I ask a question, is there some sort of karmic payback I should perform - i.e. try answering a few questions in return? I certainly don't want to seem like I'm a lazy person here. I honestly come after I've done a bit of research - honest!
Just curious - or is this too meta perhaps? I don't want to outstay my $5 welcome... although if a certain site owner had a donation button that might help me sort out my karm ;)
The natural state of the answer is to be with the question. The question wants the answer. You need to put the answer where it belongs, put it with the question. The universe must achieve balance, or all is lost. But you must remember, you must not answer questions that have not been asked, because those answers will be questioned. Harmony must be achieved. For if there is no question, there can be no answer.
posted by blue_beetle at 2:17 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by blue_beetle at 2:17 PM on February 23, 2006
What they said.
Well, what smackfu said.
Answer as many questions as you are inclined to and which you are actually competent to answer.
Ask as many questions as you have that need answering, or as many as you are allowed to, whichever is lesser.
posted by cortex at 2:21 PM on February 23, 2006
Well, what smackfu said.
Answer as many questions as you are inclined to and which you are actually competent to answer.
Ask as many questions as you have that need answering, or as many as you are allowed to, whichever is lesser.
posted by cortex at 2:21 PM on February 23, 2006
It's not about karma, it is about sincere questions that require more than google and thoughtful answers that stay within the scope of the question.
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 2:21 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 2:21 PM on February 23, 2006
You can ask a question every week and no one will care. But some people will care if you use lots of paragraphs without using the more inside feature. Also if your question rambles on and on and on.
Think about the people who will be reading it and take some time to craft your question well. That's the only karma you should worry about it.
posted by grouse at 2:28 PM on February 23, 2006
Think about the people who will be reading it and take some time to craft your question well. That's the only karma you should worry about it.
posted by grouse at 2:28 PM on February 23, 2006
Just be aware, there are some folks who will notice if your number of questions exceeds your number of answers, and they'll judge you to be a person who takes without giving as a result. The subject comes up here in MetaTalk periodically.
posted by Gator at 2:29 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by Gator at 2:29 PM on February 23, 2006
From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
K. Marx
posted by found missing at 2:35 PM on February 23, 2006
K. Marx
posted by found missing at 2:35 PM on February 23, 2006
I'd rather you didn't dump a bunch of half assed answers trying to keep your karma in balance. Answer what you can, ask what you want. And to hell with the snots who judge your contibution by numbers.
posted by CunningLinguist at 2:37 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by CunningLinguist at 2:37 PM on February 23, 2006
tags used on Ask MetaFilter posts: tool (1) size (1)
karma++
posted by If I Had An Anus at 2:40 PM on February 23, 2006
karma++
posted by If I Had An Anus at 2:40 PM on February 23, 2006
Answer what you can, bar real-life obligations. Be honest and thorough, but don't take it too seriously. If you have a question, make as sure as you can that it hasn't been asked before, then ask it.
There is no karma. There is no cabal. What smackfu said.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:51 PM on February 23, 2006
There is no karma. There is no cabal. What smackfu said.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:51 PM on February 23, 2006
The answer is 32.
posted by brain_drain at 2:57 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by brain_drain at 2:57 PM on February 23, 2006
The answer is 32.
Um, that would be 42.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:06 PM on February 23, 2006
Um, that would be 42.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:06 PM on February 23, 2006
is there some sort of karmic payback I should perform
send me money.
posted by quonsar at 3:07 PM on February 23, 2006
send me money.
posted by quonsar at 3:07 PM on February 23, 2006
At least 10 to 1 or you suck.
Deal.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:17 PM on February 23, 2006
Deal.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:17 PM on February 23, 2006
Not that the opinion of a bunch of anonymous internet message base users about you sucking is anything to lose sleep over... er, unless they can google you, and then you're screwed.
posted by crunchland at 3:20 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by crunchland at 3:20 PM on February 23, 2006
No, it's 32.
Okay. You can't beat that, sir.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:22 PM on February 23, 2006
Okay. You can't beat that, sir.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 3:22 PM on February 23, 2006
You shouldn't ask questions ever. As it was explained to me, every problem in the world, everything that's wrong that makes the lives of most people boring or miserable, all the violence and hatred and arguments and politics that exists, can be traced back to a question which somebody answered incorrectly. Now, you can't really blame people for answering questions because it's like kids and eating glue. They will do it and they wll usually do it incorrectly. So the real fault for the terrible state of the world lies with people who ask questions. Do you really want to be a part of that? So don't ask questions. Ever. If you don't know something just make do. The world sucks enough.
posted by nixerman at 3:37 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by nixerman at 3:37 PM on February 23, 2006
unless they can google you, and then you're screwed.
Oh-oh.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:47 PM on February 23, 2006
Oh-oh.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:47 PM on February 23, 2006
RAY: No. I just like the ??. Yes. He could be alive and practicing law somewhere. At age 65, Max, seeing the loss of mileage with his lawn mower, has to do with one thing and one thing only. The only answer is one thing.
TOM: It only works. Can we hear that, Tad?
RECORDING: You can't do it, unless the number is 2.
RAY: When will it end?
TOM: Never.
posted by Smart Dalek at 3:58 PM on February 23, 2006
TOM: It only works. Can we hear that, Tad?
RECORDING: You can't do it, unless the number is 2.
RAY: When will it end?
TOM: Never.
posted by Smart Dalek at 3:58 PM on February 23, 2006
Asking: Use Google first, spend some time making sure the answer is not readily available elsewhere. Then ask away. Be concise but descriptive in your question, use more inside for the details. Monitor the thread to answer requests for clarification.
Answering: Do you have a good answer or a perspective that is drawn from your personal experience and has not already been posted? Then answer. But avoid male answer syndrome.
The relationship between the two: None.
posted by LarryC at 4:01 PM on February 23, 2006
Answering: Do you have a good answer or a perspective that is drawn from your personal experience and has not already been posted? Then answer. But avoid male answer syndrome.
The relationship between the two: None.
posted by LarryC at 4:01 PM on February 23, 2006
Could be worse. You could be addicted to MetaTalk.
<img src="elephant-doody.jpg">
posted by keswick at 4:04 PM on February 23, 2006
<img src="elephant-doody.jpg">
posted by keswick at 4:04 PM on February 23, 2006
"what's the ratio of questions I should ask to questions I should answer?"
Division by 0 is undefined.
posted by mischief at 4:14 PM on February 23, 2006
Division by 0 is undefined.
posted by mischief at 4:14 PM on February 23, 2006
Are all of your other questions going to be about your job, too?
posted by blag at 4:18 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by blag at 4:18 PM on February 23, 2006
There is, by the way, a link to donation options on the about page.
posted by Brittanie at 5:40 PM on February 23, 2006
posted by Brittanie at 5:40 PM on February 23, 2006
is there some sort of karmic payback I should perform
send me money.
It's true. I sent him five last week for a class 1 penance and indulgence twin pack, and an additional ten this week just for some good karma.
I was totally skeptical, too.
But today through mysterious provenance I received a wheel of hard goat cheese, one wool mitten with one matching sock, a +3 Blessed Wang of Parking Meter Charming and a meandering, indecipherable and highly profane letter on rough parchment addressed to only "Stinky Wizzleteats" handwritten in what seemed to be some species of spoor.
While these numerous blessings are undoubtedly dubious to only the most seriously fringe weirdos, I was also additionally gifted today with the finely tuned tragicomic tableau of witnessing one of a small gaggle of truly ridiculously garbed and patently offensive - shall we say, ho - walk headlong into a pole at nearly full speed and stun herself silly.
To the audible delight of the busload of people that she was - mere moments before exiting the bus and head-butting said pole - annoying the living Belgium out of with a mouth so loud and so filthy it would shock even Casey Casem. Even the bus driver laughed - laughed hard enough that she had to wait a moment and catch her breath before she could resume her route safely.
posted by loquacious at 12:52 AM on February 24, 2006
send me money.
It's true. I sent him five last week for a class 1 penance and indulgence twin pack, and an additional ten this week just for some good karma.
I was totally skeptical, too.
But today through mysterious provenance I received a wheel of hard goat cheese, one wool mitten with one matching sock, a +3 Blessed Wang of Parking Meter Charming and a meandering, indecipherable and highly profane letter on rough parchment addressed to only "Stinky Wizzleteats" handwritten in what seemed to be some species of spoor.
While these numerous blessings are undoubtedly dubious to only the most seriously fringe weirdos, I was also additionally gifted today with the finely tuned tragicomic tableau of witnessing one of a small gaggle of truly ridiculously garbed and patently offensive - shall we say, ho - walk headlong into a pole at nearly full speed and stun herself silly.
To the audible delight of the busload of people that she was - mere moments before exiting the bus and head-butting said pole - annoying the living Belgium out of with a mouth so loud and so filthy it would shock even Casey Casem. Even the bus driver laughed - laughed hard enough that she had to wait a moment and catch her breath before she could resume her route safely.
posted by loquacious at 12:52 AM on February 24, 2006
a wheel of hard goat cheese, one wool mitten with one matching sock, a +3 Blessed Wang of Parking Meter Charming and a meandering, indecipherable and highly profane letter on rough parchment addressed to only "Stinky Wizzleteats" handwritten in what seemed to be some species of spoor.
My god, I think I love you.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:02 AM on February 24, 2006
My god, I think I love you.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:02 AM on February 24, 2006
I try to keep the number of FPPs I post to the blue above the number of questions I ask in the green. I'm happy to answer questions in the green based on whatever I may be able to provide (with no guarantee of quality).
posted by biffa at 2:40 AM on February 24, 2006
posted by biffa at 2:40 AM on February 24, 2006
If I ever get a sockpuppet I'm going to name him "Stinky Wizzleteats"
posted by blag at 3:02 PM on February 24, 2006
posted by blag at 3:02 PM on February 24, 2006
I'll teach you to be happy! I'll teach your grandmother to suck eggs!
posted by keswick at 4:42 PM on February 24, 2006
posted by keswick at 4:42 PM on February 24, 2006
I told you I'd shoot! But you didn't believe me! Why didn't you believe me?!
posted by loquacious at 5:43 PM on February 24, 2006
posted by loquacious at 5:43 PM on February 24, 2006
I'll teach your grandmother to suck eggs!
Careful. That's how Gollum got his start.
posted by Gator at 6:08 PM on February 24, 2006
Careful. That's how Gollum got his start.
posted by Gator at 6:08 PM on February 24, 2006
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posted by smackfu at 2:07 PM on February 23, 2006