Why People Continue to Answer Questions That Have Already Been Answered

No specific requirement exists for answering questions that have already been addressed, but there are several reasons why people do so. Most answers are unintentionally repeated as Quora is designed to be searchable and keyword-based, allowing a diverse range of perspectives and solutions.

Common Practices and User Behavior on Quora

Many users on Quora often fail to search, read, or learn from existing questions and answers. This neglect leads to repeated contributions, which benefit the collective knowledge base even if duplicates exist. Quora is meant to capture a variety of viewpoints and solutions, fostering a comprehensive understanding of a topic.

Motivations Behind Repeated Answers

There are several motivations for users to answer questions that have already been answered. Users might:

Feel a personal obligation to contribute, assuming that their input is being specifically requested.

Offer a different perspective from others, often leading to richer and more diverse discussions.

Dispute or disagree with existing answers, leading to more nuanced and detailed discussions.

Ultimately, on platforms like Quora, the collective pool of answers is intended to benefit a wide array of learners and seekers of knowledge.

My Experience and Insights

As a user, sometimes I find myself answering questions that have already been addressed. Here's why:

`An accurate answer is not always easy to understand, or while accurate, may not be comprehensive. When I come across a good question with a complete and accurate answer, I will upvote it and then contribute my own version, aiming to clarify or expand upon it. I always credit the original contributor.

Often, my answers receive more upvotes than the original, indicating that there is value in providing additional perspectives. Quora operates best when multiple good answers coexist, each tailored to a specific audience.

This diverse range of contributions enhances the overall quality and usefulness of the answers available.

Conclusion

Quora thrives on the diversity of perspectives and knowledge shared by its users. While there may be overlaps in answers, the collective effort of contributing to a question ensures a more robust and informative knowledge base for all users.