Quora

If you haven’t checked out Quora yet, the best way I can describe it is as a web community at the corner of Wikipedia and crowdsourcing. It’s different than Wikipedia because it’s more a compendium of subjective knowledge (though reinforced by facts), built in the form of contributor questions and contributor answers.

Arranged by topic, questions range from the best way from A to B, the best pizza place in your town, the difference between A and B, what it feels like to have this disease or to have witnessed that world event. From the grand and abstract, to the professional, to the tiny and personal, Quora has room for it all. I’m answering questions on topics that range from how to get your book published to what it feels like to get your nose pierced.

And I’m having fun with it. There’s a lot that’s helpful, a lot that’s fascinating, a lot that’s just silly. I’m learning about cats, psychology, heroes and villains, genetics, and restaurants in my neighborhood. I’m discovering new perspectives from publishers and writers who are outside my immediate circles, and expanding my horizons and views.

If you have a question that’s never been answered to your satisfaction, search for it. If it’s not there, add it yourself. The more people join up and add their expertise and human experience to the pool, the more useful a tool it is for everyone. I’m not being compensated or sponsored by Quora, I just think this is an interesting way to share knowledge. So if it seems like it might be a useful thing for you, wander over and take a look.

Tagged as: websites