Does posting answers benefit you as well as those who read the posts?

[Salonika]

I’m curious whether/how much other posters have had the experience of finding that some of the posts they make have made them rethink a view, an opinion or made them realise that they are in danger of suggesting something to someone else that they would not do themselves.

An example of this is that as a result of posts I have made I have come to realise, and feel very uncomfortable about, being more charitable and understanding of the “mistakes” or “flaws” of other posters than I am of my mistakes and flaws and the need to bridge the gap.

 

[chevalier]

Yes.

 

[gardenswithkids]

“Does posting answers benefit you as well as those who read the posts?”
I don’t know if my answers actually benefit anyone besides me.

Writing helps me form and better express my thoughts. It usually takes me several previews and several edits to fine tune what I want to say. I often write to “process” information that I’ve heard, read or experienced. For example, even this thread helps me process something I read regarding how we learn.

(Quoted from “Quantum Teaching”)

We learn:
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we say
90% of what we say and do

The list above didn’t include anything about learning by writing, but I think writing probably falls around the “what we say” catagory–and if paired with what we do, we learn material even better. Since this is a Catholic forum where we discuss our faith, I believe it can help those who write to better learn our faith when we write about it. Since studies show we don’t learn as much by only reading about something, it may not help the readers nearly as much as it helps the writers.

 

[passus]

Yes, I find posting to be a wonderful exercise. When I first began debating, I spent a few years practicing debate on bulletin boards and forums and now I think I’m quite good, if I don’t say so myself.

Posting on CAF and answering questions also helps me learn more about the faith, because if there’s something I don’t know, I look up the answer. If I can explain something, I know I have a good understanding of it.

Also, the writing experience is just incredibly beneficial. I got a near perfect writing score on my PSAT. Like gardenswithkids said, it helps me organize my thoughts and express myself.