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Answer by Monty Wild for A proposal to finalize the "are real world questions on-topic" debate

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I have had a number of questions that I have had to fight to have remain open because they were real-world questions, "Not about Worldbuilding", and I had to explain in the question at some length that yes, they were about this world, but the answer provided details of the way that the world could change afterwards.

One example is: How long can New York City sustain the Snakebot of Doom's hunger for Iron and steel?. I had to edit this question extensively to show why I was asking it before the tide of close votes on the grounds of not being about Worldbuilding would stop... but if it had been considered on-topic, it might have been answered much sooner, and with less effort on my part.

While it may be interesting to know why a question is asked, sometimes knowing why doesn't help answer the question, and it could just as easily be answered regardless. This question received questions in comments about Jormungandr recycling its own ammunition. I already knew that it was not possible, and had accounted for that fact in my original question, and had I not had to mention why I was asking the question, that counter-question would never have come up.

So... while mentioning the Worldbuilding rationale behind a question can be educational for other worldbuilders, there should be no requirement that a question educate its readers about its author's Worldbuilding process. Sometimes a question's author needs a question answered quickly, and explaining himself just so the question will remain open is otherwise a waste of time.

Answers, on the other hand, should demonstrate something that contributes to the Worldbuilding process.

So... TL/DR: I vote that Yes, real-world questions should be on topic.


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