Why do people ANSWERING a question ask the asker for SOURCES?

Question

This has been annoying me for a while now. I'll ask a question composed of PURE logic, reason and clearity. Then someone will get annoyed at my question because it hits a nerve and they'll ask me for "sources" for my "claims".

First off.... if I'm asking the question, WHY do I have to do research? I thought asking a question WAS research. The person answering should do the research.. no?

To add some HYPOCRISY to the mix... the same people who ask for sources will often make claims and answer questions without proving sources themselves. Eh?

So can someone explain the logic behind this hypocrisy, childishness and generally idiotic behavior?

Answer 1

When I see a question like this:

"I heard that __blah__ can cause blindness"  

I want to know where the information that provoked the question came from because it makes it easier to answer the question. Sometimes it's because the asker misinterpreted what they read, sometimes it's an urban legend.

Answer 2

Well… based on that argument, to me, you are not a reliable source…

Answer 3

Because they are argumentative and carry their bad habits from forums to a platform that differs from your typical forum.

Answer 4

If you try to validate your opinion by making up a statistic, you're not talking about facts. In fact this is really just a fancy way of lying.

If you ask why people are deluded to "facts" and then go on to present your opinion with numbers, people are going to ask you for your sources, even though they know you don't have any, to remind you that you're not talking about facts.

I don't see why you're so annoyed that no one here is dumb enough to fall for this? Then you lash out and call people childish and idiotic for being logical?

If a used car dealer is trying to sell you a car and gets mad when you ask to look under the hood, he's probably trying to rip you off. That's basically what you're doing right now.

Answer 5

They are morons. Simple as that. I thought asking a question was like asking for the facts. Obviously you don't know them since you're asking for them. What do I know? I'm just a logical, sensible being.

I guess it's better to just ignore the brain dead.

Answer 6

How else are we to know if you have any proof of your own claims? And, frankly, I can't remember the last time you injected any logic at all into your content.

Answer 7

Sources are useful you know, especially when you say something like, "50% of men dont like women over 40", blah, blah, blah,you need a source to back up what your saying and to prove that its true.

"NO ONE HAS PROVIDED A SINGLE SOURCE.",well you didnt provide a source either, with your "facts" question.

For examlpe, if i said in one of my qusestions,"60% of women dont want to get married", would you belieave it?

No you wouldnt, because if i have no source to back it up, your not going to believe it.

Answer 8

Mike T is correct, as he often is.

Answer 9

Well it's because 79.8% of people find your logic hard to believe I guess.

Answer 10

Well specific to YOUR question. You ask questions laced with rants. You then attempt to strike down any and all opposing arguments someone could have without first letting someone say it. You post facts like this "-FACT: Most women can't attract their "first choice" of man so they SETTLE. Who you marry is usually the best you can do. But not the BEST."

OF COURSE someone is going to want to know where your "facts" came from. Citing sources for your facts gives your argument credibility. Personal attacks, Ad Homeium attacks and the like do nothing to actually prove you have a point.

"...logic behind this hypocrisy, childishness and generally idiotic behavior?"

NO the hypocritical, childish and idiotic behavior is ranting about people who want you to man up and cite your S**t.

Answer 11

Because a source is PROOF that your delusion is not one.  Until it's proven to the answerer, it remains as your opinion, and not fact.

edit:  But you were trying to pass your opinions in your question off as facts, and that's b.s. that anyone can see thru.  Well, anyone except ...

Answer 12

When the "question" includes a rant it is permissible to ask where the person got the misinformation.    

It is not childish, hypocritic, or idiotic.  But someone expecting us to take them at face value, especially when they have a history of hatred towards a specific population, is.

Answer 13

I have a vague suspicion you're talking about me Mikey my boy.

First off, don't flatter yourself. If I hear something that I am interested in learning more about, I'll ask where they got their information. Not because I'm lazy...it gives me a heads up on where to start my searching.

Secondly, yes, you SHOULD do research. Asking a question is not research. It's asinine to think otherwise. Don't know what that word means, research it up my friend.

Thirdly, the only hypocritical, childish, generally idiotic questions I've seen today have all come from a common source (care to take a gander?). Your last question was ridiculous. Not only were you completely immature in posting a conversation between you and another poster, but you were foolish enough to post random "FACTS" that you don't have the balls to back up.

I've always been nice to you Mikey my dear. Gloves are now off.

Have a good day :)

Answer 14

"I'll ask a question composed of PURE logic, reason and clearity"

It's funny how you are the only person that thinks that. You will make bizarre and innaccurate statements based on jut your thoughts, a handful of people you know.

Yet you wonder why people in teh real world don't agree?

Answer 15

Why should it annoy you? Unless you're just upset that someone saw through your intellectual mutton dressed up as lamb?

I always use sources if I am discussing something that can be readily sourced, and if what I am saying is an opinion, I SAY this is an opinion, and do not try to pass it off as fact or so-called "common knowledge.

There's nothing remotely hypocritical, childish or idiotic about expecting a person to have some accountability and to back up what they say with verifiable facts. It is perfectly acceptable to challenge someone who is intentially attempting to mislead people by using disinformation tactics in order for push forward an agenda.

If your statements were truly based on "pure" logic, reason and clarity, then you wouldn't feel intimidated by someone asking for proof.

So if you can't take the heat, then I suggest you get out of the fire that you placed yourself under by making statements based on hearsay, urban legands, exaggerations, exceptions and straight out lies.

Answer 16

If your question is based on a supposed premise you should support it.  That is the definition of logic and the scientific process.  This isn't the first grade.

Did you enjoy your rant?