Tell me why you think it's okay to try and "educate" someone for an answer to someone else's question?

Because in many cases we as a collective like to improve upon the knowledge we all have. Correcting erroneous information improves the quality of the answers in general and can lead to interesting and beneficial conversations or debates.

You sound like you have a bone to pick.

Well, I only think it’s okay in certain situations. If someone is trying to correct an answer that someone gave when it’s more of an opinion-based answer, it’s not okay.

But if it’s supposed to be an answer based on real facts, I think it’s perfectly acceptable as long as the person correcting wasn’t being an asshole about it.

Hmmm. What about opinions you think are wrong, DD?

Good point. Well… In that case, I think a debate is acceptable and you can try to counter-point the opposing view, but saying flat out, “You’re wrong and this is why” isn’t going to take the debate very far, especially if it’s a case of extreme views. Tact and calculation is going to have a more desired outcome, in most cases.

You ask a question. We get it to the right people.
Everyone discusses the answer.

Harass only has one r.
Jeesh!!

I guess it depends on whether you are more of the winning friends and influencing people school, or the last man standing school of debate.

Personally, I think debate is sort of silly. Listening is much more useful. But people have to keep on asking questions that allow people to answer in the self-disclosing kind of way.

I have a whole theory about how this works, but that’s for another time.

If the answer is fact-based, the answer should be challenged. Spreading misinformation is not harmless.

If the answer is opinion-based and you disagree, you should engage in discussion/debate. Listening to opposing opinions expands your mind. The goal should not necessarily be to change the other person’s mind, but to educate them and help them understand where you are coming from, even if they still do not agree.

If you are going to get offended and feel attacked every time someone has an opinion that does not match yours, Fluther (and, really, the world in general) is not the best place for you.

If the education/harassment is an actual fact or at the very least can be referenced, consider it correction of error and part of the collective.

If the education/harassment is a relative statement or outright speculative, I can see where anyone would be offended.

(DD said it well.)

Are there specific incidents you can link to, where you think this is being done in an inappropriate way? It would help to know exactly what circumstances you are referring to, in order to answer.

Discussing answers is the reason we can all see each others’ answers and respond to them.

If discussion and disagreement is not to your liking, this is probably not the website for you.