<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Possible Duplicate:</strong><br>
  <a href="https://stats.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/974/what-motivates-people-to-answer-questions">What motivates people to answer questions?</a>  </p>
</blockquote>



<p>I have participated here for about 3 and 1/2 months.  Over that time I have wonder why so many offer high quality professional tutoring on a voluntary basis and do so much of it without any compensation.</p>

<p>Recently I was contacted by Tutors.com inviting me to apply.  I am not sure how they got my name but I decided to look into it.  To qualify as a tutor there you have to pass at least two exams in your subject area.  Passing requires a score of 88% or higher.  After that ypu have to provide a writing sample explaining how you would approach tutoring.  Then you fill out some forms and do some mock tutoring sessions before you are hired.</p>

<p>It strikes me that except for the fact that students have 600+ tutors here compared to one to one tutoring at Tutors.com the two sites provide roughly the same service except that employees at Tutors.com are compensated.  I have a good job and a side consulting business but I also have a wife and two sons in college and have difficulty making ends meet.  I assume many others here are in similar situations.  </p>

<p><strong>So my question is</strong> "Why do we provide so much service free of charge?"</p>
