Chinese Communist paper slams Q&A apps for giving easy answers

FILE PHOTO: A computer network cable is seen above a Chinese flag in this July 12, 2017 illustration photo. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo

China’s most influential government newspaper is turning its gaze to Quora-like platforms that aim to answer users’ questions – sometimes for a fee. 

Zhihu, Fenda, Dedao and Sina’s iask are among a cohort of increasingly popular Chinese services that blend Quora and Reddit, allowing millions to pose and respond to questions, or pay to hear from celebrities and experts. That model has raised the ire of the People’s Daily, which says the best critical thinking is done slowly and people have become too dependent on easy answers supplied over the internet.