Why I Answer Questions on Quora but Rarely Ask My Own

Recently, a question caught my eye: Why have you answered thousands of questions on Quora but have never asked a question of your own?

Reliance on Expert Knowledge

Here's my take. My husband is the repositories of knowledge, and he holds the answers to every obscure question I've ever pondered. Even during those moments when I questioned his responses, a quick Google search would confirm his straightforward answers. Over a journey of 13 years, he has become my go-to-source for information.

Why Not Start Now?

Each day, I average 8 new questions for my husband. We switch our usernames frequently, not to keep secrets but to foster a better online community. If I perceive a user as being argumentative, or if the environment seems unsafe, I may change my username. I don't just accept any answer but respect every contribution on Quora. Perhaps my questions are too technical, or I find it challenging to ask serious questions consistently, even with emoticons and exclamation points.

Why Answer Questions But Not Ask?

There are several reasons why I answer questions on Quora without asking many myself. Firstly, I answer questions when I find them interesting or when I have knowledge to contribute. Secondly, I rarely ask questions because I can often find the answers through a search engine, reading books, or researching published papers if necessary.

The Challenge of Asking Questions

It is easier to provide a unique answer than to pose a unique question. Most questions are repetitive, and the limited character count doesn't encourage creative and specific queries. Furthermore, the section that once showed topic categories below the questions is now hidden, leaving anyone to provide an answer without considering the context. Occasionally, I come across a question that amuses me, but these instances are rare.

Consider this scenario: I could ask a good and useful question, but so far, the questions I would pose are either already answered or not compelling enough to generate a meaningful response.

Conclusion

Though there are times when I could contribute excellent questions, the answers I provide often feel more relevant or fulfilling. The journey of inquiry and the process of sharing knowledge are enriching, but the challenge of sparking meaningful, innovative dialogue is ongoing.

Thank you for reading!