What do you think: Is there such a thing as a “stupid” question?
Any answer you might give to this question is going to be subjective.
Here’s mine: Yes, but…
Such as “but it’s a matter of opinion” or “but it’s better to ask a stupid question than to pretend you know the answer”.
I mean, technically and subjectively, stupid questions do exist. Because stupid people exist.
I’m going to resist the temptation I have to be sarcastic and come up with examples of stupid questions here.
Question-askers ought to be encouraged. Nobody should feel they can’t ask questions in any given situation. Questions lead to answers, and answers fill up our tanks of knowledge. Isn’t that what we all want in this life, to gain knowledge?
What one thinks is a stupid question, another is seeking the answer. It may not just be the question-asker; it could be one or more people within earshot of the question. It is both unhelpful and unkind to share our opinion with the asker that the question is stupid. It doesn’t move things forward and it doesn’t engender trust in the person being asked the question.
It shuts curiosity down.
I will stick with the technically incorrect yet kinder, gentler school of thought that “there’s no such thing as a stupid question” as I believe my opinion on the intelligence of a question anyone asks of me is much less important than respecting others and fostering meaningful, loving, and trusting relationships.
Simple as that.
Now, the questions I ask in this series (which began with this post) may be considered silly or odd, but I aim to avoid judging any of them as “stupid”. As I hope you, my smart readers, will avoid as well. Go ahead and school me if you will, but please be nice about it.
I’m a student, folks, and my purpose in that role is to ask questions so that I can learn. If through my posing, pondering, and answering them, I can manage to enlighten any of you out there along the way, all the better.
***Featured image courtesy of https://www.pngitem.com/so/question-marks/
Pollyanna's Path 
Google comes in especially handy for my stupid questions.
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Yes, I rely heavily on Google as well. Thanks for commenting.
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It’s been over 20 years since I taught 7th grade, but I will always remember two questions:
Is a noun a verb? I must’ve had a good answer.
Then—
Is I’m capitalized?
I said, “I is always capitalized.”
She said, “But is I’m capitalized?”
I started teaching high school not long after that.
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Ha ha! It’s so nice to “see” you here Crystal. I haven’t seen posts from you in a good while and I’ve been wondering how you’re doing. Thank you for your comments!
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I’m taking a turn for the better. Wrapping up the school year and hope to feel like writing soon!
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Gosh, I’m so glad to hear that lady! Looking forward to your upcoming blog posts 🙂
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🤣🤣
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Curiosity not judgment – I think you have it exactly right. I love your statement, “as I believe my opinion on the intelligence of a question anyone asks of me is much less important than respecting others and fostering meaningful, loving, and trusting relationships.”
Beautiful!!
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Ah, thank you so much. I’ve got some anxiety over doing this series, so I really, truly appreciate your comments 🙂
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Rhonda,
If there’s a stupid question to ask, I’m sure I’m guilty of asking it; however, whomever I asked it from was kind enough not tell me it was. Also, I don’t ask any question with negative intention. Lastly, I agree and love what you said about curiosity, kindness, respect and fostering relationships. I’m glad you wrote this. Mona
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Gosh, me too…so many times in my life I have been the stupid question asker. Fortunately, my curiosity wins out most of the time so I can continue asking any kind of question. You’re glad I wrote this?! That means a lot. Thank you so much 🙂
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I recently had someone from writers group (after I read a passage out of what I hope will eventually be my book) *sigh*: “If your book is about you, why do you write so much about David (my husband) and Lauren (my daughter)?” This woman isn’t stupid. She knows who David and Lauren are. She’s been in our group for years now. It’s also a small group. Was her question stupid? I dunno. It felt that way. I wanted to roll my eyes. I wanted to ask her why she would think that two of the most important people in my life should factor in much less in this book I’m writing, why she would presume to know what my content should and shouldn’t be…BUT…I just answered her question as though it were credible. Ever want to just smack someone in the back of the head like Gibbs on NCIS always did to Tony, Rhonda?
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I get you, Mona! I think that’d be the challenging part of being in a writer’s group: the constructive criticism. But it’s your story and you know it best. Thanks for your comments 🙂
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I know the curious ‘question askers’ can be perceived as annoying. I’m often the person asking the ‘how, why, when’ because I like ALL the pertinent info…but I get that some folks find the ‘drill down’ to be perturbing. To know me is to love me! (At least I’m consistent!) 🥰
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Yes, they (I) can be annoying with my questions too! But it’s good to be curious in this life. Thanks for your comments!
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🥰🥰🥰
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