New Trend in Plagiarism: Tormenting Cheaters on Yahoo Answers
I'd already noticed this obvious cheating, chiefly in Math Homework. It's so prevalent that Yahoo has even added a "Homework Help" section. When challenged, many Yahoo answers users respond with phrases like "It's not cheating" or "I'm just asking for help" clearly unaware of, or unconcerned with, the difference line between "help" and "cheating." I continued chatting with the teachers at the Cinco de Mayo party, discussing students plagiarizing content from Wikipedia and the various "Homework Help" sites floating around the Internet.
I then revealed one of my less savory hobbies. Whenever I see someone asking a Math question on Yahoo Answers, and it's obvious that they're trying to cheat on an assignment, I post an inaccurate answer, often trying to make it sound plausible. I received noting but praise from the teachers, and one of them asked me to start doing the same with other subjects.
Thus was born my plan to subvert Yahoo Answers. My goal is make sure cheaters get a failing mark on their assignments. To accomplish this, I need to post believable, yet inaccurate answers. Below are some of the fruits of my labor, and a description of the methods I employed in crafting my response. I'm not concerned with the Yahoo Cheaters finding this article, as their questions highlight their complete lack of even basic research skills. Besides, if I'm found out and my Yahoo account becomes known to the Yahoo answers cheating community, I'll just create a new account.
I started with an easy one.
"I a doing a history assignment.?
I need a civil war interview.
Help please? 'k thanks. I took the easy way out on this one. I posted the entirety of "A true story repeated word for word exactly as I heard it" by Mark Twain, but omitted his name and the title.
Next a bloke asked the following:
Need some help with a couple of problems?
2(y^2+5y+3)+5(y^2+2y+1) expression
2a/3b * 9/5 * 11/9a Multiplying Fraction
I appreciate the help.
He/She provided no information on WHAT he was trying to resolve, so I took the tack of "simplifying" the equations. those with math skill will realize that my "solution" is not only wrong, but makes no real sense.
Here's my response:
2(y^2+5y+3)+5(y^2+2y+1)
That's a NICE trick question. I'm impressed.
Both 2(y^2+5y+3) and 5(y^2+2y+1) evaluate to y. The y^2 cancel out and the remaining components neutralize to y.
The entire equation can be simplified as: y
2a/3b * 9/5 * 11/9a
This one is more insidious, but the cancellations are doable.
2a/3b * 9/5 * 11/9a
a/3b * 9/5 * 11/7a
2a/3b * 2/a
a / (3b * 2)
I'm just getting started. This is a far cry of posting a lonely "42" in response to those trying to cheat on math homework. Most of my replies have been rather dull and quickly done, as this is a hobby for an employed adult, and not, say, an obsession for a high school student with nothing else to do over the Summer.
Anyone else care to participate? Anyone else care to join in on the fun of tormenting cheaters?
Published by Matthew Miller
Computer geek, foodie, aspiring writer and the owner of a small warren of rabbits. View profile
- Creative Cinco De Mayo Party InvitationsGet creative and give your Cinco de Mayo party guests an invite they can't ignore.
- A Cheap Cinco De Mayo Party: Celebrating Mexican Pride in a Budget Friendly WayCinco de Mayo is a celebration of leadership, courage and patriotism. A party is the best way to celebrate and honor the day. This article provides some tips for throwing a cheap budget friendly Cinco de Mayo party.
Having the Best Cinco De Mayo Party on a BudgetBe the life of the party. That is kind of what being at a Cinco de Mayo Party is all about.- How to Throw a Cinco De Mayo Party on a BudgetIf you and your family want to throw a Cinco de Mayo party, without spending an exorbitant amount of money, there are ways to stay within your budget and still have a great time.
- How to Throw a Fun and Festive Cinco De Mayo Party for Your Friends and FamilyEveryone enjoys a great party. Use this tips for your next Cinco de Mayo party and your friends and family will talk about it for years.
- The Case Against Homework for Elementary School Children
- Your Guide to Cinco De Mayo Party Songs
- 7 Great Songs for a Cinco De Mayo Party Mix
- Throw a Cheap Cinco De Mayo Party
- Fun Games for Kids and Adults to Play at a Cinco De Mayo Party
- Homemade Cinco De Mayo Party Favors
- Throw a Cinco De Mayo Party for $100
8 Comments
Post a Commentit cut off the end. I said unless I pointed it out.
I don't give them the answers but I am honest about why. When it looks like they are cheating I call them out on it in a long somewhat preachy speech. In fact everyone has ended up being choosen as best answer because no one else will give them the answer after my post.
I remind them that if they get answers off the internet and from others and never do the work themselves then they won't learn how to do it and eventually tests will come up that they don't know any of the answers and university will be impossible. I also mentioned that teachers have a tendancy in university to KNOW when someone has not done the work themselves and there is a zero tolerance policy. Getting kicked out of high school is one thing but once you get kicked out of university it ruins your education possbilities for life. I tell them to stop now so that they never reach that point.
That's a basic summary of what I say and it always works. I would never purposely give a wrong answer unless I somehow poi
I am not defending the cheaters but some people really do need help sometimes and don't have that great of a teacher ... It's not really nice to do such a nothing to kids...,maybe you should try something else...sorry didn't mean to sound like a hater it's just my opinion...
You're a douche bag.
Go take your moral outrage elsewhere.
How is this compounding the country's educational problems? The problems are compounded by the fact that students are cheating rather than making an effort to actually learn. I like this idea, and I might try it some time.
yeah post believable, yet inaccurate answers would be funny and fair if they are whining "please, ahoy please help me to cheat aghhahah". But if they ask sincerely I point them a hint to where to surf the net to educate proper with the correct links and a note or two. Seriously cheating should become a illegality by the law for a student hoping to enter a college !
ah those who assist cheaters need some self esteem, I would not help someone not as studious as me. I would offer them them some excrement within a paper bag.
You disgust me. People like you do nothing but compound this country's educational problems.