I'm just going to put this out there

Question

As far as site vision and obligations go, each and every answerer, questioner, and reader has their own agenda. The site is not set in stone. It can do a 180 just because of one twitter post about some fluff to do with HNQ (this isn't about that debacle, it's just an example; I don't have a twitter account so couldn't care less).

So while people talk about the primary objective being the site vision or whatever. The site is an evolving process, the vision today may be vastly different tomorrow. Each site is different and should be analysed as such by those of us participating especially those of us with high enough rep to close questions etc.

There is a huge difference in the dynamic between stack overflow where there are many ways of answering a question, but at the end of the day 1+1=2.

We deal with people, personalities, cultural differences, fluid and complex situations, locales and a host of other things. At some point this basic fact should be recognised in terms of how things are done for the good of the site.

This would be good for the site as well as aid the retention of valuable users who volunteer their time, energy, experience and insights to actually answer questions. I actually wonder at times how valuable some of the users are who don't seem to actually do much of anything except VTC or downvote.

If you haven't been putting in the thought and energy answering questions regularly over the years, then I honestly don't think you would understand the dynamics, and you might want to contemplate whether you're actually helping or hindering.

Answer 1

I agree with you and Richard U's answer. I have noticed that there seems to be a contingent of users on here that are intent on closing down almost everything. It is the same people every time. It is not a healthy attitude for the site and I haven't experienced it on any other SE sites that I use. I think, on this site in particular, the 'opinion-based' VTC reason should be taken with a large pinch of salt. Most answers here will be inherently opinion-based due to the subject matter - Workplace issues are not an exact science and there is not always going to be an obvious right/wrong answer.

In fact, perhaps the 'opinion-based' VTC reason should be removed entirely for this site, as it doesn't really fit very well? That alone shouldn't be a reason to close a question on here, should it?

Answer 2

From the formerly gruntled poster.

I've seen many questions closed quickly because the people doing the closing were not familiar with the industry. Anything blue-collar and such tend to get shut down rapidly. After that, anything not IT tends to get shut down almost as quickly.

I recall a question getting shut down regarding the maritime industry which was, in fact, easily answerable, but closed quickly, and then, after discussion here, was reopened, but it should never have been closed to begin with.

I have seen close votes start to accumulate within seconds of the posting. This does not even give the OP time to reconsider and/or edit what he posted.

this, IMO needs to change.