There is another kind of question that sometimes gets an XYP answer even though it wasn't an XYP: Thats where the asker is trying to get help doing something abusive or anti-social.
"How can I conceal the nuclear waste I put in the trash so the garbage men will take it?"
"Have you considered using a hazardous waste drop off site instead?"
It's possible that the asker hasn't considered that their approach is abusive or that they weren't aware of better alternatives... and even if they fully know that they are asking for help in being a jerk it's often preferable to the respondent avoid the confrontation (and escalation) of calling it out. If the asker really is just confused, responding by suggesting solving a different problem is the right answer. If they're really just a jerk no great harm is done to anyone by giving the benefit of doubt.
In this case if they're not confused about what they're asking they may well be confused about the kinds of activities the supporters are willing to aid and abet.
I've seen this most often online in people looking for help spamming, password cracking, hacking computers, deploying censorship, and committing financial fraud.
Maybe the asker is a sociopath or is simply getting paid enough to discount the harm their actions cause others -- but the same won't apply to the people answering their questions.
"How can I conceal the nuclear waste I put in the trash so the garbage men will take it?"
"Have you considered using a hazardous waste drop off site instead?"
It's possible that the asker hasn't considered that their approach is abusive or that they weren't aware of better alternatives... and even if they fully know that they are asking for help in being a jerk it's often preferable to the respondent avoid the confrontation (and escalation) of calling it out. If the asker really is just confused, responding by suggesting solving a different problem is the right answer. If they're really just a jerk no great harm is done to anyone by giving the benefit of doubt.
In this case if they're not confused about what they're asking they may well be confused about the kinds of activities the supporters are willing to aid and abet.
I've seen this most often online in people looking for help spamming, password cracking, hacking computers, deploying censorship, and committing financial fraud.
Maybe the asker is a sociopath or is simply getting paid enough to discount the harm their actions cause others -- but the same won't apply to the people answering their questions.