Meta: Why I don't answer direct questions
Submitted by d on August 21 1999 at 10:38:34
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This post is really a meta-reply to Jim's question immediately below, about if he is possessed. But it is generic enough to deserve its own thread. Please feel free to add your own list to this thread. I'd really like to see Jim's list (assuming it's longer than "I was too busy" and "I didn't see the question"). Reasons why I sometimes don't answer direct questions (I'm guessing some of these may apply to Heather and others): 1. I may indeed have something to hide, and tact demand silence. 2. I may want to make it appear to others on the board or lurkers (or occassionally, the person who is asking the question) that I have something to hide and letting them make assumptions about me. I've played this game with Bwahahaha and others from DOOL over on BC, letting them think I was a pedophile for a few days. 3. I may be bored with the thread. 4. I may have skipped part or all of the thread. 5. I may respond ONLY to add a comment to another response, not to respond to the original question. 6. I may not have time to do the original question justice. 7. I may have posted too much that day, then forget to come back later and answer. 8. I may be waiting for other answers, so I don't repeat what others have said. 9. #8 plus I forget to come back and answer. 10. I did not think the question was directed at me. This list is off-the-cuff, there are other reasons I can't think of right now. Please do not assume #1 is the most common reason. Actually, 3-10 together are account for the vast majority of questions I don't answer. Obviously, not all of these apply to your particular question, but do bear them in mind the next time you ask an open question and I don't answer. -David ("d") |