Would you participate on a Q&A site that required you to make a substantive answer to a question before you could see the other user's answers?

I like the basic concept, but would prefer to eliminate the whole modded-substantive-answer part. How about you just can’t see the other answers until you’ve answered. You could still have mods to enforce basic rules and writing standards, similar to Fluther.

No, I wouldn’t.

First, it relies on the integrity of the moderator. If he/she has the sole right to decide what is a substantial answer, then he/she has the right to slant the conversation in the way he/she wants. It’s basically censorship, albeit at a somewhat higher level. But it isn’t the free and unfettered flow of information and discussion, for sure.

Second, I often learn things from the casual and brief discussions that take place here. Even the ones that I disagree with. Requiring a “quality level”, while altruistic, actually reduces the value of a Q&A site.

Hell no, I participate for the spice and diversity of discussion, I would have no motivation to participate if I was unable to access, upfront, others input and opinion. Part of a discussion is to actually discuss, interject ones own perspective and play off of others contributions. 10 thumbs down on this idea. Too controlling and I’m a go with the flow type.

If I wanted to have my every word censored and talk to myself I would still be married. lol

I think it is a brilliant idea. I like the concept.

It serves a purpose in its own way. I agree that as it is now is fine. But this concept would be an interesting an addition, not change how most Q&A work currently, but rather another an extra option.

I believe what @cookieman said makes sense in that perhaps you either remove the definition of how a mod is to determine “substantive” I would so implementing by a structured set of rules based off consensus. In that sense the mod is just enforcing what is agreed upon standards. Not their opinion/bias of every single answer.

Perhaps make it so you must submit an answer before you can join the discussion. An opening statement if you will.

I like the concept too. I think it would be great. Although, you would get more repetition I’d guess. Not everyone reads the previous questions so you get repetition with Fluther but I think people do try to avoid writing the same answer as someone else. So you might end up with a long list of very similar answers because people wouldn’t delve more deeply into the topic in an effort to keep adding to the discussion.

Most likely not.

No, I don’t think so. Firstly, like @Earthbound_Misfit said, repetition. I don’t think the OP of the question will be pleased with so many duplicate answers. Secondly, there are some questions that I absolutely have no answer and would like to read the answers to learn something. If I’m unable to read the answers, what should I do? Write something like “I don’t know too”?

Sounds dull to me. Not something I’d participate in.

When users contribute content to a site that owners slap ads around and there is a delay in seeing their contribution it is pretty much going to end badly. And AI to figure out if it is a good answer is pretty much dead for obvious reasons unless you are IBM and have Watson in your closet.

No. Most of the questions asked on q&a sites have no definitive answer (let’s face it if they did you’d be googling it instead). The most interesting questions on flutter are those where there is a discussion in the answers where new info is added or other answers are disputed for example. Thats why people come here.

Yes, “opening statement” was what I had in mind, @LDRSHIP. Once you had given an answer or made a statement the discussion would be exactly as it is now.

I did struggle with the ‘substantive’ thing, as I think is obvious in my wording of the question.

I think answer/comment repetition would simply mean there is a consensus, and the community had answered.

I would participate in such a site. I don’t answer every question except where I feel I can contribute something unique.

Yes, I would. I do it anyhow on Fluther most of the time. I have done it on other Q&A websites as well. I do not have time to read all answers to questions.