Should Quora Questions Be Edited Only by the Questioner?

Quora is a vibrant platform for sharing knowledge and asking questions, much like a public library. However, questions can sometimes require edits to improve clarity and accuracy. This raises the question: Should only the original questioner or Quora administrators have the authority to make such edits?

Arguments Against Community-Driven Edits

Suggestions to edit questions should ideally come from the Quora community for reasons such as correcting grammar and spelling. However, allowing others to edit the content, topics, and details can raise concerns. Here are the primary arguments against this:

1. Time and Effort

Questions posted by individuals with poor grammar and spelling might take a long time to correct. This not only slows down the platform but also may demotivate users to post in the first place.

2. Context and Meaning

Edits made by others may alter the original meaning or intent of the question. As Andrew points out, this can lead to answers being read out of context, especially when answers have already been provided.

3. Rule Violations

Long-time Quorans are typically more familiar with the platform's rules and guidelines, making them better equipped to ensure questions comply with these rules without hurting their original intent.

Arguments For Community-Driven Edits

Supporters of community-driven edits argue that others can help improve the clarity and focus of questions, especially when the editor is a subject matter expert. This can lead to better, more relevant answers. Here are the key arguments:

1. Subject Matter Expertise

Subject matter experts can phrase questions in a way that attracts the most accurate and insightful answers. Their familiarity with the topic can lead to more specific and useful questions.

2. Expertise in Grammar and Style

Native English speakers can help non-native speakers improve their questions to better fit Quora's standards and writing style, enhancing the quality of the content.

3. Official Policy

Quora has its own official policies regarding question edits. The policy as of the latest update states that changes can only be made by the original poster or administrators for obvious reasons of context and integrity.

Addressing Concerns and Enforcing Rules

While the idea of allowing anonymous users to edit questions might seem impractical, a balance can be achieved by ensuring that anonymous edits can only be made when the editor is the original poster. This approach minimizes the risk of vandalism and ensures that questions remain within Quora's guidelines.

It is crucial that any editing activity does not alter the original meaning of the question, thus maintaining the integrity of both the question and the answers provided. This balance ensures the platform remains a valuable and reliable resource for all users.

Conclusion: The decision to allow only the original poster or administrators to edit questions on Quora is the best approach. It preserves the integrity of the questions and their context, while still allowing for the community to suggest edits that could improve clarity and accuracy. As Quora's official policy clearly states, altering questions once they have been answered can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.