The FAQ says:
"You should only ask practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face."
Really? Are we only meant to ask questions about problems we face?
Sounds like a copy / paste from another Stack Exchange site.
Update: in light of the comments below, I should add that I don't have a problem with the existence of the site (quite the opposite), just with the wording of the FAQ. Can we change that wording?
It depend of your definition of problem :
A problem is an obstacle, impediment, difficulty or challenge, or any situation that invites resolution; the resolution of which is recognized as a solution or contribution toward a known purpose or goal. A problem implies a desired outcome coupled with an apparent deficiency, doubt or inconsistency that prevents the outcome from taking place.
prob·lem noun
1. any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty.
2. a question proposed for solution or discussion.
3. Mathematics. a statement requiring a solution, usually by means of a mathematical operation or geometric construction.
So, if you definition is more in the line of Wikipedia, no we don't really solve any problem. But if you take it in the line of dictionary.reference, we solve some. Those problems are less practical than, say Stackoverflow, cooking or home improvement. They are also less useful since they are about imaginary universes. But they are still problems.
Peoples are puzzled by all the information that is available about Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Accessing, filtering and extracting the meaningful information is the real problem, that's why we are here.
Borrowed from here.
Using the FAQ on-topic categories:
Yes. However, the generic problem we are trying to solve here - which was very clearly hashed out on this meta question: " Is "I am curious about X" sufficient justification for asking questions on SFF.SE? ", is:
"I'm curious" about XYZ topic/detail and need explanation.
THAT is considered a fully sufficient problem as far as this sites purpose is concerned.
As a newer user of the site I have already concluded that the answer is yes or no.
There seem to be several types of answers:
Where the questioner asks a question that they don't know the answer to but there is a verifiable answer.
There is a question with a, likely, 'in-universe' answer based on
reasoned inference.
there is a question where there is no realistic 'in-universe' answer
to but the most elaborate conjecture is still favored over the,
frowned upon, answer of 'there is no real answer other than the
creator of the subject matter needed a plot device.
There is a question which request an 'out-universe' explanation to
answer an 'in-universe' question; where, despite the fact that an
'out-universe' answer might be impossible, even the most ridiculous
'in-universe' answer is still favored over the answer of, "it's not
possible."
I believe the main point of the site is not to answer questions but to maintain the fantasy by any means necessary (which is more fun!)
