I do not believe that will happen. 

I'm going to do my part to answer intelligently and enjoy myself in the process so cool peeps will remember me for referrals. God willing and the creek don't rise, as my mom used to say. Pretty country thing for an LA native to say. But she was funny.

Quality will increase, and members who have stayed away due to the embarassing valueless non-answers that are no longer incentivized by points, will come in and contribute.

Let's see who is right!

Will it change? Maybe.  Will it stagnate?  No.

Your hypothesis assumes that everyone is here for points and the only thing anyone gets from answering questions is points.

I'm betting that everyone who answers questions derives something from it other than points.  Maybe it's the fun banter between members.  Maybe it's the satisfaction of helping someone with a question.  Maybe it's something else.  

Will the Q/A section change?  Yes.  The people who prioritize points over any other reason for participating will drop off.  But the people who participate for any reason other than solely points (which I'm betting is the vast majority) will continue to participate.

I don't think it will become stagnant but then again, predicting the future is not a skill of mine.

People who answer questions FOR the points will probably go away. People who answer questions because they want to will stay. The answers to questions should be meaningful if people are responding because they are interested in doing so (not for points).

Did just start yesterday? I just checked and there were points for answers as of 1/15. 

Members DO NOT PARTICIPATE on Q&A for points.  Points are simply a chattering distraction. Newbies are point aware and know collecting points on Q&A instead of comments on blogs is not a good use of time.

What will make AR stagnant is imposing conformity. 

Wait... no points for answering questions? Yep that could be a deal killer. WHY would they take away points? There is not a flood of people here, but the people who use this section sure do like it enough to come back every day. 

I wonder why the motive behind the move away from Q/A points.  I am sure that it will take a while for this to happen but that is only a guess.  

it won't become stagnant....but the point hounds won't show up, and that's a good thing.... 

I think we'll lose the name-dropping answers like, "I agree with Greg Cremia!" 

I believe the answers we do get will be more intelligent and helpful.

Not awarding points will only take away rote answers that do not add to the discussion and are only submitted for the points.  I say good riddance to that clutter.

Also, there will always be Utah students.

 I just returned after a one-year hiatus, so no opinion.

I don't think it will become stagnant. You will probably see the participation change and that's ok.  I'm here to share what little wisom I have, learn from others experience and have some fun.

If the Q & A becomes stagnant, it is because the pot is not being stirred. No points for me!

Q&A is similar to the watercooler chit-chat at the office.

When will Q&A become stagnant?  About negative 3 years ago.

For every solid question and learning opportunity, there are 2

"guess who's birthday it is!?!"

"Know who's almost at _____ points?"

"What is a sales contract?" (from the Utah crowd)

"_____________________" (insert content stolen from Lab Coat Agents here)

Q&A, in my opinion, was one of the worst ideas AR ever had.  They had the opportunity to offer something similar to Trulia Voices that would be indexed and a tremendous value to the public (and search engines)

Instead we got this *insert shoulder shrug emoji here*

For me nothing will change.  If I have an interest in the subject I will answer.

The one possible massive benefit is that the students will stop asking questions that may likely no longer be answered. 

I like showing that I know stuff. I like learning stuff. I like reading stuff from others.

I like points, too.

I will still look at the questions. I may answer fewer since I will pass on the one that I would have in the past only visited for point value.

I think that is good news...

There is way too much emphasis put on points which do not make the comment sound better.

Eve

About a New York minute!

I gave my prediction on this one yesterday, would rather not go there again, too much controversy.  Time to just let it happen.

Who knows for whom the bell tolls...

Change is a part of life.  It makes sense that ActiveRain is a part of that as well.  

It is fairly obvious who is here to contribute or just for the points so good move IMHO. Clear the clutter.

Greg sadly the  current platform's powers to be missed the boat about the fact that most members are Alpha... and love competition. The founders understood this concept hence created the point system... time will tell.. not just about the points but the entire platform...

Maybe the silly questions won't be asked now?

I don't think it will change much.

Maybe now we don't have to wade through a bunch of non-answers to get to the real answers.

On a personal note, I never answered even one question for the points.
I answer because I believe I have something to offer.

well are you leaving?

I don't come to Q & A for points. I come here for some fun and laughs and to see what's happening in the rain world.   

The elimination of points for answers should be good news.

Q&A Points

It will likely change a bit, but I don't think it will become obsolete. I also don't think it will keep the Utah students from posting as it appears that you still get points for posting (and personally, I don't think they post for points, they post because they are assigned to do so). 

I enjoy this section as it is a quick way to get and give information and engage with fellow Rain members. I have learned quite a bit due to this little section of the Rain. 

Change is inevitable.

PDQ

All I can do every day is: be kind, be true, be myself, share good information, and keep on marching - I hope we all continue to answer

I guess those who do it for points might drop out and that might eliminate some inane answers.

I was just wondering the same thing.  I'm personally going to take a break and probably dial this site back to blog posting only.  If my interaction here now has no value, why continue to interact?  I think it's also the fact that there was no mention from Active Rain ActiveRain Member Support about it and we had to find out for ourselves.  They send mass emails whenever Ben Kinney wants to sell something to us, why not send an email letting us know that the points system is updated?  Why not a featured blog?  Why not A QUESTION IN THE Q&A SECTION?  That pisses me off more than anything else.  I might have been willing to stay on if that had been done, but this "let's hope no body notices" attitude of theirs just pissed me off to the point of saying "F that site."

A few weeks ago, we had a flurry of Q&As over the frustration of people answering "I agree" or "I don't know." General consensus, as I read it, was that those answers generally appeared to come from points grubbers and I adopted a "live and let live" mentality.

Now, those answers will disappear if they are, indeed, solely for the purpose of grabbing points. I, for one, am thrilled. Let the Q&A section be filled with conversation and information!

Greg,

I don't believe this will happen..we shall see. A

Time will tell!

 well