What are some popular movies plots that are no longer plausible in today’s world due to the ubiquity of cellphones and the Internet? Chances are you never really thought much about this question, but when you read some of the responses on Quora there are no shortage of interesting contributions to the ever-expanding list of answers.
From Home Alone to Brief Encounter, more than a dozen people are debating this question on Quora, which has suddenly taken off in popularity. With no character limit and a bustling online community, some tech writers are already announcing that Quora will be bigger than Twitter.
Quora was founded in 2009 by two former Facebook employees. Adam D'Angelo was VP of Engineering and Charlie Cheever led Facebook Connect and Facebook Platform. Although the site has been online for several months, they are just starting generate some online buzz.
Like Twitter, you follow people you find of interest. You can also follow topics, such as technology trends or social networks. Within a category you can browse the latest activity, view open questions or check out the best questions. For example, here's one best question: “What will be the next big thing after Facebook and Twitter?” Naturally, Quora makes the cut, but some of the answers are more expansive, stretching 10 paragraphs long. Aside from leaving comments on an answer, you can also vote on the answer, send thanks, or decide the response wasn't helpful.
What really makes the site click is the busy community of users. Unlike Twitter in its early days, Quora appears to have a base of members that stretch beyond early adopters. Even business executives, such as former AOL Chairman and CEO Steve Case, are answering dozens of questions. Actor Ashton Kutcher was also quick to jump on board, fielding queries from fans and critics.
It's the everyday person who will find Quora interesting, since there is no real barrier to entry. Most people have questions they want answered or are interested in answers to questions. For example, where else can you go to discuss things in the movie Superman that would not work today? As writer and director James Kelly explains on Quora, for one thing Supes would have a hard time finding a phone booth to change into his tights and cape. Well put.
