<p>For me, there are three real reasons I end up answering questions:</p>

<ol>
<li>Something that could probably called professional pride. This is my job, and I'm an academic. I'm <em>supposed</em> to help contribute to learning and knowledge in my chosen field.</li>
<li>It keeps my mind sharp. I'm away from my colleagues a great deal of the time, and for awhile I found myself in something of a bubble. CV...lets me walk amongst the data folk from time to time.</li>
<li>Selfishness. I may one day have to read a paper written by someone who asked a question here - I'd rather read a methods section that doesn't make me cry.</li>
</ol>
