Understanding the Quora Debate: Disabling Comments and Upvoting

In the vast online realm of Quora, where users share their expertise and insights, many debates arise regarding the policy of disabling comments on answers. This article delves into the nuances of this issue, exploring the rationale behind disabling comments, the impact on upvoting, and the broader perspective of Quora as a platform.

Personal Rules and Intellectual Honesty

The primary stance on disabling comments is not rooted in intellectual dishonesty but rather practicality. As an individual who has faced the challenges of managing insightful yet controversial content, I understand the need to maintain a clean space free of irrelevant or misleading comments. Writing an answer and moving on aligns with my personal rules, as others can contribute their insights and views freely. This does not mean that I am unwilling to engage with the community; rather, it is a matter of balancing the quality of interactions with the time available to manage a myriad of questions and answers.

Discussions vs. Debates: A Voluntary Activity

It is crucial to recognize that Quora is not a debate forum but a platform where people formulate questions and receive answers based on personal expertise. Discussions are voluntary, and no one is forced to participate in them. Once an answer is provided, the contributor may choose to close the topic, particularly if the primary goal was to share knowledge and not to engage in continuous debate. This is a choice made by the answerer, not a requirement enforced by the platform.

Upvoting and Disabling Comments

Whether an answer has disabled comments does not inherently prevent it from receiving an upvote. I, as an upvoter, focus more on the quality and relevance of the answer rather than whether comments are enabled. Upvoting is a way to acknowledge the value and entertainment provided by the answer, regardless of the commentary. In fact, I rarely pay attention to whether comments are enabled unless I specifically wish to add a comment myself.

Dealing with Trolls and Sympathy for Contributors

The reality of online forums is filled with trolls who seek to disrupt and undermine the contribution of others. Experienced contributors like myself have faced the daunting task of dealing with these individuals, who can monopolize discussions and spread misinformation. It is common for those who have posted numerous answers to wish to disengage from incessant and hostile feedback, especially when the comments pertain to answers from years ago. This is not to say that all commenters are toxic, but the prevalence of negativity can certainly detract from the enjoyment of contributing to the platform.

I do not disable comments on new answers as this could create a biased perception and potentially misguide other users. However, on older answers that suddenly regain attention, disabling comments saves time and ensures a focused and productive space for discussion. This practice is a compromise, acknowledging the need to manage the influx of new comments while maintaining the integrity and usefulness of answers to the original question.

Conclusion

In summary, the decision to disable comments on answers is a pragmatic approach to maintaining a productive environment on Quora. While upvoting remains a valuable way to acknowledge the value of an answer, the essence of the platform should be respected as a quiet space where insightful contributions are shared and appreciated. Whether or not we agree with the practices of others, it is essential to remain sympathetic to the varied perspectives and challenges that users face in engaging with this diverse online community.