Even if you have a steady group of Twitter followers, posting a question is a cry into the dark, and anyone might answer. You Asked It takes advantage of this, searching for public tweets that contain a question mark (from what we can tell) and giving site visitors a chance to compose a response in 30 seconds or less. Once you’ve written your reply, it will be sent off through your Twitter account, creating a brief connection with a total stranger who just wants to know whether to buy a pair of ill-advised sweatpants or the true age of your soul.
Answer a complete stranger’s questions on Twitter with You Asked It
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
You Asked It has been compared to ChatRoulette, but it’s perhaps more like a surreal, microform version of Yahoo Answers or Formspring. The twist is that you’re pushed into saying the first thing that comes to mind — if the timer runs out, you’ll get bumped to the next question — and that you’ll end up answering everything from vague rhetorical points to requests for pizza. What better way to spend a Thanksgiving?
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