[softwaredoug]

Question answering doesn't replace search, it's a new search use case. People who ask questions want one single answer. It doesn't replace the many existing search use cases (comparing/contrasting items; known-item lookup; problem solving for lazier users w/ fewer keywords)

In fact, while I do notice people doing question answering, users are also exceedingly lazy and want even more out of a search UI with fewer keywords. I just went to an e-commerce search UI and searched for backpack, and got something closer to search-y recommendations targeted around the kinds of backpacks I might want.