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First: Why are you here?

There could be many reasons why you might be interested in contributing answers to Stack Overflow.

Here are some good reasons, by our opinion:

  • Help build the body of freely available knowledge on the site
  • Take satisfaction in helping someone in need (altruism)
  • Improve your own skills by solving problems that are new to you
  • Build up a kind of “public resume” that could help your career
  • Earn points!

And here are some not-so-good reasons:

  • Show off your knowledge in public
  • Boost your ego by criticizing those who aren’t knowledgeable
  • Earn points!

You certainly noticed there is a common element in both lists. We feel that the Stack Overflow point system is both a blessing and a curse. It rewards the helpfulness of community members, and confers a system of privileges that enable members to manage the site effectively. However, it also leads some to produce low quality content without actually being helpful, and can be used fraudulently among those who attempt to build clout without the appropriate experience.

It’s not just about the points

Our recommendation is to focus on good reasons for answering questions, not primarily the points. Over the long term, the points will follow naturally from pursuing the good reasons above. Consider keeping your mind in that space as you interact with others on the site. If you’re having problems with maintaining a positive attitude, it might be wise to take a break and come back later.