How to answer non answerable questions?

[tommac]

I am in ATM posting and I get questions such as this:


http://www.bautforum.com/1490400-post.html

There is no question to answer. So I dont answer it. But I am in risk of getting banned if I dont. Any advice on how to answer the non-question?

Originally Posted by tommac
OK ... I think the question was about the math. I took some time and did the calculations here they are:

For A :

dt = 4 years
dx = 4 light years

This is not a claculation, this is just plugging in numbers. You will need to do better than that.

For B:
4ly/2 weeks = 2 ly/week * 52/52 = 104 ly/y = 104 * C

B percieves the photons to have travelled 104 times the speed of light over the course of his last 2 weeks ( his history ).

This is incorrect.

I think that should be right.

Nope.

[Warren Platts]

If there's no question-mark, there's no question. At least that's how I interpret a question. Since there's no question, there's nothing to answer. The commentator is merely expressing the fact that he or she disagrees with you. Too bad. That's life. People are never going to agree on everything.

I think you're right that one shouldn't have to answer a nonquestion. It would be a category mistake to attempt it! If you're at risk for getting banned for not answering, that ain't right. You bring up a classic example of the crazymaking setup that the "Proving Ground" forum has become.

[tommac]

If there's no question-mark, there's no question. At least that's how I interpret a question. Since there's no question, there's nothing to answer. The commentator is merely expressing the fact that he or she disagrees with you. Too bad. That's life. People are never going to agree on everything.

I think you're right that one shouldn't have to answer a nonquestion. It would be a category mistake to attempt it! If you're at risk for getting banned for not answering, that ain't right. You bring up a classic example of the crazymaking setup that the "Proving Ground" forum has become.

I agree ... 100%
I got banned for not answering this non-question. Another non-question has been asked and I am trying to avoid another suspension for not answering the non-question.

[Gillianren]

If you're in doubt, talk to a moderator. It's one of the things they're there for. Or how about "I don't understand your question. Can you phrase it a different way?"

[Jason_Roberts]

Actually, I suggest presenting your case to one of the admins.

[aastrotech]

I agree ... 100%
I got banned for not answering this non-question. Another non-question has been asked and I am trying to avoid another suspension for not answering the non-question.

My advice to you is do nothing. You know how this site works. You are not going to get anywhere with this sort of thing. "It's the way the owner wants it." "If you don't like it leave."

If someone asks an illegitimate question don't answer. Make the questioner complain to a moderator and make a case for you to answer. Don't point out the flaws, errors, falacies and broken rules in his posts. Let the reader figure it out. Keep it short to make it easier for the reader and moderator to discern the salient points for themselves. Don't help the bad poster muddy the water by adding your own criticisms to his unsavory behavior. They might make a better decision if they don't have to wade through a lot of mud. But don't expect a principled decision. Moderators are just members who pushed the right buttons to get to be moderators.

If someone asks a legitimate question answer that. Don't answer a legitimate question from someone who is also asking a bunch of illegitimate questions. Make him make a case for all of his questions. If a moderator asks you to answer then make your case why you shouldn't in PM. Don't muddy the water with the discussion in your thread. At any rate the readers might be better able to see your case if you don't.

To quote a moderator "It's no biggie". Don't take it so big. Don't invest so much in this site.

[tusenfem]

I am in ATM posting and I get questions such as this:

http://www.bautforum.com/1490400-post.html

There is no question to answer. So I dont answer it. But I am in risk of getting banned if I dont. Any advice on how to answer the non-question?

This is not a claculation, this is just plugging in numbers. You will need to do better than that.

B percieves the photons to have travelled 104 times the speed of light over the course of his last 2 weeks ( his history ).

This is incorrect.

Nope.

Well one of the things is that you were explained lots and lots of times how things work in relativity. Even picking up an introductory book on relativity will give you the simple necessary equations.

Adsar is just pointing out that you are wrong. The appropriate reply to this "non-question" would be to put in some effort and do your estimations in the correct way. You have been on the board long enough now, to know how things go here. And you have started enough Q&A and ATM threads to at least have a grasp of introductory relativity.

This is a total non-item to discuss, there was no question, just a rectification, so you can either ignore it or do the right thing and come up with a correct way of calculating.

Sheesh, the things people start to complain about these days.

thread closed, if you have something to discuss, send a pm to some of the moderators