Questions about astronomy questions: opinion wanted?

[master shake]

I like to answer things that have to do with astronomy cause i understand it somewhat well but it seems the same things pop up or what i like to say "un-educated questioners".

I keep seeing
-Do you believe in 2012
-How did (insert object here) get to be where it was
-What would aliens be like
-Is there (life out there), (thats been seen), (possible)

I find half of these questions are not backed by any thought and/or are questions asked over and over. Can't anyone ask a new good question.

Agree/Disagree? Any other questions bother you

[lindajune]

I agree.

Not only is the "dumbing down of society" readily apparent in the quality of the questions we see here, but the lack of grammar, spelling, and knowledge of basic (grade 1) science is appalling.

Not to mention the laziness implicit in so many of the questions. Either the answer simply takes a little thought, or they are to be found in many places online or in their text books.

[mattstheman972]

Yay! I'm answering the same question as like 10 top contributors. That makes me feel special =). Yeah, I definitely hate the 2012 questions, and ones that could be answered with wikipedia instead of filling up yahoo answers with bogus questions. By far though, the worst questions I find are ones that are basically copied and pasted right from the worksheet or book or whatever it is that their homework is and then to top it off, they mention something about a reward for the first answer or something. Also I can't stand copied and pasted answers from sites that require no intuitive thinking whatsoever. Especially when they don't even cite the site or simply state "Yahoo Search" (Although its pretty sad that they just searched for it and got the answer when the questioner could have just done that themselves). On a positive note, I do like some of the real questions that aren't just homework help or something but sincerely a person that wants to increase their knowledge about the world around them. I love those questions and go out of my way to answer them.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and questions in the wrong section, someone just asked if illegal aliens exist in the astronomy section. Not only is that a stupid question but its in the wrong section...

[johnbonnechappe]

I think it is understandable that most people are not very knowledgeable in astronomy yet are curious about it. Also bear in mind that not many people are all that adept with computers and may not know how to check if their question has already been asked. At least they try.

What is a worry is the people who clearly know very little about astronomy or science in general for that matter, but they will believe whatever rubbish they see on an anonymous video or other dubious source, and are then absolutely adamant that their belief is right.

I don't understand that mentality. Surely one's awareness of one's shortness of knowledge would make one cautious in one's beliefs? It's no shame to be curious but it is to be a fool.

[Brillian† Blue]

Do you think it is morally wrong that I purposefully answer obvious homework questions incorrectly?

As a relative new comer to this section and having come here from religion and spirituality I was shocked by the amount of religious zealotry in this section.

It seems such a waste sometimes when I know the intelligence of some of the good posters out here and as stated the questions would be better directed to a grade 4 science teacher.

One of the other major problems I see out here is the blatant copy and paste answers. I don't so much have a problem with the copy and paste, I do it sometimes as I do not express as well as I wish what I know. It would just be nice if people would give credit to those who did write it instead of tyring to pass it off as their own words.

[Angela S]

It would be very nice if all the 2012 questions disappeared; and if we didn't get "Why is the sky blue?" almost every day.
However, there are some great questions from people who genuinely want to know the answers (and aren't just cheating on homework)

The problem is that people are not taught to think critically.
How do we fix that?
How many people who read this know the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific hypothesis.
Or what a scientific law is?
How do you get people to understand that science is both durable and changeable?

I try to make an effort to give relatively in depth answers so that people understand the EVIDENCE and that science is based on evidence. I see many other people doing that too (especially about the brainless questions)

As for issues of grammar - it can be annoying - but as long as its comprehensible and it's a good question, who cares?
Let's face it - some of the people posting questions are not native English speakers [being an arrogant Brit I would argue that Americans are not native English speaker - ; )]

ADDED:
"How much does Earth weigh?" just got posted again - that's definitely a pet hate.

[Angela S]

It would be very nice if all the 2012 questions disappeared; and if we didn't get "Why is the sky blue?" almost every day.
However, there are some great questions from people who genuinely want to know the answers (and aren't just cheating on homework)

The problem is that people are not taught to think critically.
How do we fix that?
How many people who read this know the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific hypothesis.
Or what a scientific law is?
How do you get people to understand that science is both durable and changeable?

I try to make an effort to give relatively in depth answers so that people understand the EVIDENCE and that science is based on evidence. I see many other people doing that too (especially about the brainless questions)

As for issues of grammar - it can be annoying - but as long as its comprehensible and it's a good question, who cares?
Let's face it - some of the people posting questions are not native English speakers [being an arrogant Brit I would argue that Americans are not native English speaker - ; )]

ADDED:
"How much does Earth weigh?" just got posted again - that's definitely a pet hate.

[Dazcha]

I agree and would like to add questions about the Apollo moon "hoax" to your list of uneducated annoying questions.

[Nishith A]

Agree.

I am fed up of these 2012 questions. These are really irritating now. Why can't people just move forward. And also the pluto question. Its not a planet. Finish. Why can't people accept it. Many kids come up everyday with childish question like its still a planet or not.
WAT THE HELL is wrong on with the education these days.

[laurahal42]

Many of the questions are idiotic, and many of the questioners are as idiotic as the questions they ask. I think the moon hoax questions are nothing short of tragic.

But very occasionally there is a question, or an answer, that makes it worthwhile. That's why I linger.

I hereby issue a challenge: if you want good questions, blow some of your points and ask the sort of questions you would like to see asked. Perhaps a bit of leadership by example?