What makes a not so great question?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:06:26 -0400

I have noticed some odd questions come up. Being a professional military networking site I would assume professional etiquette would apply here also.

What makes a question challenging, if not impossible, to answer? What should be avoided in such an environment?

*For the sake of Rallypoint lets not bring up the saluting question. I know some of you know what I'm talking about and were thinking about it. For those who don't know what I am talking about you will know soon enough.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2014 11:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:19:28 -0400

I know what you are talking about,Sir. However, what may a completely ridiculous question to you, may not be a ridiculous question to someone else.
The great thing about Rallypoint, is that we come from different branches, ranks, ages, and years of experience.
Naturally, if we were talking about,say, OPORDS, those responding to your post would be limited to the upper-echelon members of this site. But maybe, these questions and discussions you feel are irrelevant, could make a difference to some of the personnel.
And I mean no disrespect, Sir. I have read many of your answers and think that you contribute well to many of these discussions :)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2014 1:47 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 01:47:02 -0400

Depends on what you say is not so great question. Some not so good questions take off and other good ones are not responded to at all. If not so great as in maybe good for other sights would be anything about President as we who are still in cannot comment too much on these and openly express one way or another about POTUS. Same with religion and other politics.

If what makes not so great question of who does not respond is ask something that is very narrow of who can relate to it. If you only ask who was in this detachment or this small post there will be even less responses. If you want responses have it related to all services.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jul 23 at 2014 7:44 AM

CPT Richard Riley — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 07:44:39 -0400

It appears you are approaching this from a response approval standpoint & that just boils down to interest and popularity. There is never a 'dumb' question because someone is looking for information. If you gauge this solely on discussion and response, only a small percentage of questions posed rate high interaction so that would leave the majority of questions in your category. You can't use the 'thumbs down' as a gauge because that is just an indicator of emotional response.
You indicate you would rule out POTUS, politics & religion, which would eliminate many emotional comments. Members have the ability to look past any discussion they find uninteresting or unsavory and from an individual standpoint that seems to suffice for most. If we eliminate your big three, we loose the ability to learn different viewpoints and discuss with one another those points. There may be many members who do not enter the discussion but read the ascending comments and learn something new they would not have had the opportunity to if that discussion were not present.
I think the best barometer is to use your personal judgement, join in a discussion if you choose, scan and read what you want, and ignore discussions you prefer to stay out of.
I may not have answered your question entirely, but I hope I've addressed the point.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 23 at 2014 8:26 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 08:26:39 -0400

Oh, you mean this one?

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-a-2lt-salute-a-1lt

You know for all the ribbing you've taken over this one LT Rosa, present company included, this question has been like the super glue that's really brought a lot of people together. Look at all the responses, LTC Private RallyPoint Member's successful spin off on standing at attention, the spawned counter-posts, the requests to cap and shut it down, and no matter what it keeps on living!

You get my vote for all-time greatest RP question!

Should a 2LT salute a 1LT? | RallyPoint

I have been dealing with this a lot. I have seen both ways. As per AR 600–25 the junior person should salute. I see a 1LT senior to a 2LT and I salute them. I have seen many instances where this does not happen. Most see a LT as a LT regardless of being a 1st or 2nd. How do you all feel about this?"B. All Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled to the salute. Salutes will be exchanged...

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 23 at 2014 8:31 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 08:31:21 -0400

Anything remotely to do with ethnic backgrounds. The Redskins name change thread turned into a semi-disaster.

Surprisingly, the same sex and gender related questions have faired well and met with a lot of respectful feedback. That's a good thing to see.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 23 at 2014 1:17 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:17:51 -0400

I've always taken sites like RP as a place to discuss what the membership wants to discuss, whether it's directly related to the military or not. When you start limiting discussion topics you tend to make this place pretty boring. There only so many ways to talke about uniforms, or custom/courtesies, promotion, etc. I find it fascinating what our niche population's take on issues are, regardless of the issue. And silly questions tend to be self-limiting anyways. BTW I don't find the 2LT saluting 1LT thread to be sillly. I find it a classic example of the different attitudes and beliefs on regualtion vs custom/traditions.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jul 23 at 2014 1:39 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:39:43 -0400

When I first joined RP and saw this question (Should a 2LT salute a 1LT?) I could not believe it was even posted. Yet, it has grown to have a life of its own although I still consider it a not so great question. However it has so much comic relief it does have greatness!!!

Not so great questions are, to me, personal in nature and very limited in appeal. Having said that, I still think they have a place and should sometimes be asked. Before you ask them, look at the data base. How many times do we have to answer, I am PCSing to ....? Or other inane questions. Those are the not so great and usually redumbnant (sic).

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2014 9:58 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 21:58:40 -0400

Am I the only person on RP who has YET to read the 2 stupid threads that mention 1st and 2nd LT in the title? Am I really missing that much other than the opportunity for my eyeballs to roll around in my head?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jul 24 at 2014 12:38 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 00:38:33 -0400

I think that there should be some thought before someone posts a question in the forum section. Some things should be taken into consideration. What is the end state of the question? Are you looking for a specific answer, playing stump the chump, trying to get people to think, etc.? Does you question pertain to a small group or will it apply to the greater masses? Does your question hide an agenda on your part or are you being genuine? Did you already look through the forum arena to see if your question has already been asked and/or answered?

As far as topics to avoid. I personally avoid certain topics. That is my choice. With that being said, I would not advise people to avoid certain topics. I would ask them to understand that this is a very diverse community with many different experiences and beliefs. Understand that you have to be specific when dabbling into those topics that can be contested or that downright bring out the worst in some folks. Certain topics will elicit certain responses and you have to be prepared for that.

And for the love of all things holy, do not go on an attack. Be respectful. If you don't agree, so be it. Acknowledge the response, or don't acknowledge the response and move on.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Jul 25 at 2014 1:56 AM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:56:06 -0400

My concern is that, while some treat this site as a place for military and former military to ask legitimate questions, voice opinions, and cuss/discuss over current issues in the military, I see the possibility for this site to be used as the military version of Yahoo! Answers.

For those who are not familiar, on Yahoo! Answers, people are allowed to post any question, and other people will volunteer to answer them. As a certified science teacher, I have received many quality responses to science-related questions on there, and I have also done my best to provide solid answers along the same lines. However, I frequently see questions that are clearly MS, HS, and College kids trying to basically cheat on their homework. I have also seen "troll" questions and "troll" answers, some of which are actually taken seriously.

I admit, I succumbed to the "Saluting LTs" thread when I first got on RallyPoint, but in retrospect, I see that as a "troll" question and have since unsubscribed.

I think it will be up to the more active posters on RP to police incorrect behavior by refusing to respond, and to encourage correct behavior by responding to the best of their ability.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 21 at 2014 11:07 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:07:04 -0400

How about: Does a ____ salute a ____?

I think that would be a pretty poor question. Don't you?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 3:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:54:44 -0500

I think this is poping up again. I think it should be something that could clarify a few things for some of these discussions going on.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 1 at 2015 3:57 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:57:43 -0500

What do you think is a not so great question. This topic kind of reminds me that the only stupid question is the question not asked.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 3:42 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 03:42:10 -0500

I think this is popping up again.