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Created May 6, 2016 12:15
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Is this a great formula for a hot network question or is it trolling the SE network?
Is this a great formula for a hot network question or is it trolling the SE network?
Here's a generic and easily repeatable formula for questions that could be asked on probably any site in the Stack Exchange network:
1. I have a problem that places me in a very sympathic position.
2. I have ruled out the obvious answer for arbitrary/bad reasons.
3. What do I do?
This strategy would have several attention gathering effects:
- It would nerd-snipe the resident answerers on the site because they like to demonstrate problem solving on topics that interest them - and step 2 will nearly always provide complicating details for consideration.
- It would be unlikely to be closed as a duplicate because of step 2.
- Click-baity titles could be our new listicle, and potentially get the sites more attention on social media.
- Very small danger of being called out on this due to
Here's some examples from the recent past:
## [My son is being hit by a friend, and we need to discuss the situation with his mom][1]
Obvious answer: don't let your children play with an oversized bully with a reputation for violence.
## [How can I engineer my own firing?][2]
deleted, but here's the intro:
> Please note: I am not looking for life advice or coaching here!
A common reaction to this question might be: "Dude, why can't you just quit?"
Or, "Dude, this is a terrible idea!" Or, "Dude, no one would ever want to hire you again!"
I consider all of these to be life coaching, and I assure you, there is a method to my madness,
and I know what I'm doing here! Please refrain!!!
[1]: http://parenting.stackexchange.com/q/24829/9198
[2]: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:51ukMYyYss0J:workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/66352/how-can-i-engineer-my-own-firing%20&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
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