Ask500

You might as well simply ask: "where are you from?" Otherwise you could just google which countries drive on the left, or otherwise. There really aren't any surprises whatsoever as to such a question.

The Philosophist (after one too many beers perhaps) muses: I've taken a sabbatical from this site, of nearly 5 months duration, and I'm most surprised by what's happened in my absence. It's seemed to become, dare I say it... less populated!? If that is indeed so, then what has happened to this site - which had such great potential? Or I have I just re-stumbled upon it on an 'off' day?

Firstly (regarding the past), I left because I was getting irritated by the same persons asking legions of monotonous and uninspired questions. And secondly, several months back, a question had to be voted to the top before people could vote on it. As my questions were increasingly ignored in favour of 'chewing gum for the mind' type questions, it lessened my interest in asking any more. The former system also inevitably meant that the moronic questions were outvoted by the majority - usually quite fluffy between the ears (...as ever) themselves. Naturally *even the* fluffy thinkers *had to get* bored sometime with the type of questions which they were voting to the top; as such questions hardly were sufficient to keep even their desire satiated regarding their returning to this site frequently. Which is perhaps where things went rapidly downhill: It ultimately became less interesting to everyone concerned. Or I am perceiving the current vibe astutely? Having said that, I see that that system has changed for the (IMO!) better, insofar as voting is now permitted on any question regardless of its being voted to the top, or not, within the given timeframe. So one would think that that would encourage the thinkers' re-emergence. Or... was this step taken too late?

There were at least some worthwhile questions amidst the dross back then. But now, all I've seen this night are the boring, mundane questions - of passing interest no doubt to the many demi-brainless, casual passers by - but of no use to a born thinker; and I quote: "Britney or Kiely?" "Have you ever been dissed? Yes/No." "which do you prefer? [followed by 4 tv productions?"]. Admittedly, the sheer growing mass of the above type of questions were what drove me away. And it's sad to see that at this moment in time, as I write, there is scarcely an interesting question to be seen :( I still believe, as once I did, that this site has the potential for greatness. Nonetheless, it just doesn't feel as close to greatness as once it did. Hmmmm if I can find some time I'd like to try and stoke up some interest in more cerebral questions, in the hope that more of the thinking type are attracted back to the site. Meanwhile, as an aperitif of sorts, I offer the above qtn and another. I'll be most interested in comparing how they are received now with seemingly far fewer folks around. Let's hope the tumbleweed ain't be a blowin'!!

(btw, please pardon my verbosity and moreover any errors in my observations - of which I shall now take this final opportunity of blaming those beers once again ;-))

good one Mags59 :-)