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Q&A Disallowing quoting question parts in answers, rather, in comments only

Bad idea. Quoting parts of a question in an answer is useful because: It makes it clear what exactly is being replied to. It protects the answerer from changes to the question. The quotes can a...

posted 3y ago by Olin Lathrop‭ · edited 3y ago by Olin Lathrop‭

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#3: Post edited by

Olin Lathrop‭ · 2021-04-21T18:44:38Z (about 3 years ago)

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Bad idea.
Quoting parts of a question in an answer is useful because:<ol>
<li>It makes it clear what exactly is being replied to.
<li>It protects the answerer from changes to the question.
<li>The quotes can act somewhat as headings in the answer. It is easier to find a particular part of an answer that way. Headings can be even better for this, but this is a side advantage of quotes.
</ol>
You seem to want to pretend that something you wrote originally never happened after you edit it out. First, remember that you did actually write it. Like most things on the internet, once they're out there, they're out there. If this bothers you, be more careful with what you write.
It is quite unfair to the volunteer that took the time to answer a question if that question is then changed, and the answer now looks bad. Downvotes to the answer can happen in such cases, which is quite unfair when the answer matched the question at the time it was written.

Bad idea.
Quoting parts of a question in an answer is useful because:<ol>
<li>It makes it clear what exactly is being replied to.
<li>It protects the answerer from changes to the question.
<li>The quotes can act somewhat as headings in the answer. It is easier to find a particular part of an answer that way. Headings can be even better for this, but this is a side advantage of quotes.
</ol>
You seem to want to pretend that something you wrote originally never happened. Remember that you did actually write it. Like most things on the internet, once it's out there, it's out there.
It is quite unfair to the volunteers that took the time to answer a question if that question is then changed, and the answer now looks bad. Downvotes to the answer can happen in such cases, even though the answer matched the question at the time it was written.
<hr>
<blockquote>I think that an answer is not a set of replies as that is what comments are for.</blockquote>
Content doesn't belong in comments. Answering in comments circumvents the peer review system and closing of questions. Comments are only for meta-issues about the question, like asking for clarification or making suggestions to the post author.
<blockquote>by that logic, no one can improve a question and "bad" questions are deemed to be "bad" pieces of content forever... Let along, when there is edit history.</blockquote>
Questions can be improved. Such improvements should not materially change the content of the question, though. There is a difference between "improving" and "changing". The system of questions with answers doesn't work when questions are moving targets. If the right question was not originally asked, it is better to ask a new question than to change an old one.
Your motivation is to avoid appearing stupid when an obvious problem with a question is brought to light. But what you propose pushes that problem instead onto those answering the original question. That would be quite unfair.
Once you write something publicly, accept that it's out there. And yes, people will judge you accordingly. That's how the world works, like it or not. The best response is usually to avoid attracting attention to it and let it blow over. Keep in mind that everyone has posted something stupid publicly at some time. It's part of engaging with the world. If that really bothers you so much, then be more careful with what you write.

#2: Post edited by

Olin Lathrop‭ · 2021-04-21T17:00:25Z (about 3 years ago)

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Bad idea.
Quoting parts of a question in an answer is useful because:<ol>
<li>It makes it clear what exactly is being replied to.
<li>It protects the answerer from changes to the question.
<li>The quotes can act somewhat as headings in the answer. It is easier to find a particular part of an answer that way. Headings can be even better for this, but this is a side advantage of quotes.
~~</ol>~~

Bad idea.
Quoting parts of a question in an answer is useful because:<ol>
<li>It makes it clear what exactly is being replied to.
<li>It protects the answerer from changes to the question.
<li>The quotes can act somewhat as headings in the answer. It is easier to find a particular part of an answer that way. Headings can be even better for this, but this is a side advantage of quotes.
</ol>
You seem to want to pretend that something you wrote originally never happened after you edit it out. First, remember that you did actually write it. Like most things on the internet, once they're out there, they're out there. If this bothers you, be more careful with what you write.
It is quite unfair to the volunteer that took the time to answer a question if that question is then changed, and the answer now looks bad. Downvotes to the answer can happen in such cases, which is quite unfair when the answer matched the question at the time it was written.

#1: Initial revision by

Olin Lathrop‭ · 2021-04-21T16:56:23Z (about 3 years ago)

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Bad idea.

Quoting parts of a question in an answer is useful because:<ol>

<li>It makes it clear what exactly is being replied to.

<li>It protects the answerer from changes to the question.

<li>The quotes can act somewhat as headings in the answer.  It is easier to find a particular part of an answer that way.  Headings can be even better for this, but this is a side advantage of quotes.

</ol>

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