Why People Ask Ridiculous Questions on Quora

Quora, a platform for asking and answering questions, often attracts a diverse group of individuals. This diversity also includes users who ask seemingly ridiculous and unknowable questions. These questions are not only entertaining but also serve various purposes such as encouraging creative thinking, stimulating discussions, and exploring the boundaries of human knowledge.

Brainstorming in Any Setting

Brainstorming sessions in any corporate or team meeting typically involve a wide range of ideas, ranging from the plausible to the far-fetched. Similarly, Quora has its share of individuals who ask questions requiring a level of genius to answer. Some may simply be new users or corporate climbers, who believe that posing ridiculous questions can garner upvotes, followers, or a significant number of views. This mix of personalities forms the vibrant Quora community.

Why People Ask Ridiculous Questions

The straightforward answer to why some people ask these ridiculous questions on Quora is that they can. Quora's moderation system relies on community reporting, with violations needing reports from multiple users before any action is taken. Even when these violations are obvious, such as spam, plagiarism, or serious harassment, there are no guarantees that action will be taken. Furthermore, Quora has recently moved away from human moderators, relying instead on automated systems. This decision, driven by cost considerations, has resulted in less effective moderation.

Moreover, Quora, being a profit-driven platform, seeks to repay its venture capitalists. It prioritizes increasing user engagement over maintaining the quality of questions and discussions. Many users choose to report trolls rather than engage with them, and those who criticize this behavior are often insulted. Trolls, although an annoyance, generate views, which in turn generate advertising revenue for the platform.

Improving Your Quora Experience

To improve your Quora experience, consider the following advice:

Block and Mute Trolls: Trolls who ask lousy questions should be blocked and muted to prevent their content from appearing in your feed. Avoid Engaging with Poor Content: Do not even downvote content that does not meet your standards; instead, report it and continue scrolling. Mute Controversial Topics: Muting topics that attract trolls can significantly improve your feed quality.

While Quora needs to make a profit, it should prioritize user experience and content quality. By taking control of your interactions and filtering out low-quality content, you can elevate your Quora experience.

Conclusion

The answer to why some individuals ask ridiculous questions on Quora is multifaceted. While these questions serve various purposes, the platform's moderation practices and profit-driven nature can sometimes result in the proliferation of low-quality content. By actively managing your feed and ignoring disrespectful behavior, you can enjoy a more productive and enriching Quora experience.