Do people go out of their way to sound so philosophical and read so much into a simple question?

Occasionally they do. I often do. I certainly don’t want to sound unintelligent.. so I suppose any attempt at the opposite should be forgivable.

The foundational basis for your argument is fundamentally flawed, how is ‘philosophical’ really defined? Can a social construct of the word influence the way in which it is used? The rationality and logicality streaming through my ever questioning brain says ‘yes’.

One of the great things about this site is that there are a lot of people who actually are intelligent and take some things seriously. Most of them aren’t “trying” to sound like anything.

maybe, but people respond vociferously to topics that are close to their heart, perhaps that comes across as pretentious.

Can’t answer for anyone else, but I just try to be as helpful as possible. If the question was asked seriously, I answer it that way. If it was asked in such a way as to encourage all kinds of responses, I would answer however I happen to feel at that moment.

In other words, who knows why other people answer questions on this site? Sometimes they’re just bored and want to type too, unfortunately. Which is why we should all take advice with a grain of salt and do our own homework…dangit!

Some people do and some people are really that deep. Me, I try to keep it light unless it’s something I’m passionate about. I’m not trying to save the world here, I’m farting around on a website because I don’t want to DO any heavy lifting.

Just what are you trying to say? Are you talking about me again?? :)

I think people are just trying to be helpful or are interested in the question. I’ve written some answers about wine that look like essays. :)

If you’re thoughtful, thorough, careful—and philosophical—then it’s not out of the way at all. It’s just the way some of us are wired, I guess.

For the most part I don’t think people are trying to look like anything or overdoing anything.
A lot of it is elaborated on, but it usually makes sense, or at least pertains to the subject at hand, especially when you consider how many answers here easily go off topic or end up being a contest on who can get the wittiest remark…so when peeps are being serious, I think it probbaly is legit.

it dnt mattr it jst teh inerwebz! LOL!

well, before i discuss that, i would first like to analyze the long term social implications on humanity that are raised by such a question as yours…

People see things differently. If you weren’t expecting that, I doubt that you would be here.

Yes.

They’re just trying to be helpful.

What @pdworkin said.