What is the meaning & purpose of life? Why this question shows up so often? Why nearly all answers are silly?

"Why nearly all answers are silly?" Wake up! Your intention to go beyond the average level is good, but seems to be pretty naive. Rising the level of questions & answers would mean, that there might be a less number of participants and that's not what is wanted, at least not from the enterprise Y!A, because you shouldn't forget or you might not even know this, that this is not a social or philanthropic site, as 99,99% of all Internet activities, this site also has to do with making money. That means, the lower the level is, the more people will join and so more money is moved. That simple!

This here is not only a kind of 'kindergarten', where young people and teenager can play around, but is also entertainment for adults who are playing point hunting with the goal to become 'top contributor'. That this given point system is one of the reasons why the level is becoming lower and lower, is so obvious, that it would have been changed, if it wouldn't serve the purpose!

That during the last time many good contributor are not participating anymore, is visible in categories like philosophy, psychology and religion & spirituality, but this doesn't bother the Y!A maker!

Remember the Newsgroups about ten years ago? There were happening great and intense exchanges, until these groups were destroyed by spam, scam and all kind of money maker. The same is showing up now on all other fields and so the same with all kind of forum and so you must not wonder that it is not different here at Y!A. This is still great and useful for more practical questions, but forget about more essential topics that need to go beyond the common primitive mindset of average people.

Yes, it is disappointing for you, that nobody visited your Web page and made a comment, but this tells you, better to use your energy for something more effective. If there is a demand for it, then a new place will be created from some one who starts with enthusiasm and new energy! Just wait!

And then let's meet there again...

InkyPinkie

Edit: I suggest that you invite a few friends that you know from your answer activity, to join you for an exchange at your Web site or just with email. That will fulfill your need for a more essential expression and will benefit those who join you and not harm anybody here at Y!A. I will join you as the first! - If you like it...

Maybe we will have better luck here!

original answer -

I believe the question is asked in order to receive confirmation for what they already believe. The voting/point system is pointless. (haha no pun intended). I recall one question about the purpose of life, in which my answer, which was extremely short, was voted for more times than yours, which was well thought out and provided a path for the asker to actually answer that question for himself. While I answered out of my own understanding, people just agreed with it. As if to say, "she has the right answer, go with her". And not actually looking for an answer within themselves. I have no doubt that if my answer had been similar to yours, guiding them on the path to gain knowledge of themselves, mine would have been hidden and looked over. Most will not read a long answer, as they come here for entertainment. I personally come here for both, depending on my level of spiritual understanding and mood at the time.

Im not sure how to contact Y!A administration, I will work on this. I have not been here for several days. Will be back soon. I think your other question was deleted becuase you asked the same question twice. They are silly like that sometimes.

You'll have to search elsewhere if you expect more serious answers to such questions. Yahoo Answers is mainly for lighthearted, non serious fun. Expecting a serious answer on Y! Answers is like expecting an intelligent response from someone with a genuine mature mentality on Youtube comments instead of someone with the mindset of a fifth grade school boy who writes on bathroom walls, likes to peek under his big sister's dress and spray cans underpasses. My little brother didn't actually spray can underpasses that I can prove but anyway I think you get the point.

You might bring this up with yahoo if it bothers you. Ask if there is a way to separate the questions and answers by the age of the user asking and answering. This will give mature users a forum as well as kids and possibly shame some game players into growing up.

I have read a few of your posts here and on your website. Let me give it to you straight, as I see it. First of all you write long convoluted sentences, and your English grammar is imperfect. Your point can get lost if your rants are difficult to read. People do not want to re-read sentences. And you are SO SERIOUS! I think people feel compelled to meet that energy with silliness.

Your heart is big, I can tell, and you are a serious seeker of Truth, Goodness and Beauty. But you come across a bit on the edge; like someone who requires regular medication. So people want to respond with what they believe to be witty rejoinder. Indeed some of those wisecracks might be from genuine tricksters who know that questions of this nature cannot be answered by strangers on the internet. We each have to work out our own salvation, as it were. Sort of like the zen master telling the novice that Buddha is "dried ****".

Simply ask yourself, how many darned times have people been posting the same doggone question about the frigging meaning of life? Why don't they make the effort to search before asking? Are they expecting a fresh set of answers or point of views? no they are just bored out of their minds and need to spend those few minutes regurgitating the same topic that's been discussed ad-nauseum everywhere. So the answers they get simply mean, get over it.

I think ideas speading is good, i dont have too many reasons to complain about Y!A too much. Sharing what has worked for you can be good however if your just trying to convince other people of your own beliefs its pointless. We live in a very ego-centered lifestyle where people care more about how they appear than who they really are or what they really believe. A lot of people have no clue about things but like to appear to be intelligent. Others resent intelligence, or reset any beliefs that are unlike their own because they associate it with their sense of self and therefore to insult it is it make a personal insult to that person.

its a good medium for ideas sharing, but perhaps it needs better regulation. like a better user ranking scheme done by the users for the users against people with only nonsense to share. Look to the positive aspects and how good it is to be able to share with other users across the world.

This posting is most certainly the best I have seen yet. When one ask for others interpretation on "the meaning of life" I have to assume that they have some serious issue, or at least at that moment and can only answer that question for themselves to begin with. This question has been asked for as long as I can remember. I have come to believe that the answer reflects ones' self.

Happiness is Preference

its very simple: to be happy. now try to define happiness and that is when things get tricky.