Update: Finally got a clear answer on how to ask better questions here

I've been reading posts for months and kept seeing the same thing. People ask stuff like 'what's the best way to learn a skill' or 'how do I fix my life'. Way too broad. I was guilty of it too. A few weeks back, I asked about painting over old lead paint. Got maybe two replies. Then I tried again last Tuesday. I asked, 'What's the exact process for encapsulating lead paint on a 1920s door frame in a rental, using a HEPA sander and oil-based primer?' Got over twenty detailed answers. The difference is huge. Specifics get you real help. Vague questions get you nothing. Anyone else notice this and have a trick for narrowing things down?

3 comments

3 Comments

king.eric9d ago

Specificity is the secret to getting good answers anywhere (not just online).

the_thomas9d ago

Absolutely, vague questions just get you useless answers every time.

jana_black9d ago

Yeah, it's like people forget that the person answering has to picture the exact situation. If they can't see it in their head, they just move on.