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So what do you do if you're in an environment that discourages asking dumb questions you might have?
Is that a contrived scenario or are you thinking about something concrete? Curious as to what that might be.
So what do you do if you're in an environment that discourages asking dumb questions you might have?
If there truly is an enviromnment that discourages asking questions because they deem them as 'dumb', then you need to work to improve such environment. In my experience, the only time questions were discouraged (and almost always in the interest of time) was because it was otherwise possible to get an answer to your questions. Can you give an example of the environment you would be talking about?
Reminded my of this, from Gladwell's Outliers : "The way you were raised, namely with wealthy or less fortunate parents, also plays a role. Gladwell explains that when wealthy parents drive their children to the doctor, they tell their children things like, “Johnny, now if you have any questions, be sure to ask the doctor. This is your opportunity to talk to him about any health problems you’re having….” And so on. I…
Disappointed that, in a thread about asking questions, no one has asked whether this Gladwell anecdote generalizes (especially since Gladwell is king of "anecdote == universal fact.")
Can anyone comment on this quote?
So what do you do if you're in an environment that discourages asking dumb questions you might have?
If there truly is an enviromnment that discourages asking questions because they deem them as 'dumb', then you need to work to improve such environment. In my experience, the only time questions were discouraged (and almost always in the interest of time) was because it was otherwise possible to get an answer to your questions. Can you give an example of the environment you would be talking about?
But the article does hit dead on that smart people don't just ask questions about things they don't understand themselves. They ask questions that challenge what the world believes to be settled, 'obvious' and extremely clear.
My favorite How-To-Be-A-Smart-Person-By-Asking-Questions story, about Wittgenstein, from Bertrand Russell:
When I was still doubtful as to his ability, I asked G. E. Moore for his opinion. Moore replied, ‘I think very well of him indeed.’ When I enquired the reason for his opinion, he said that it was because Wittgenstein was the only man who looked puzzled at his lectures. [1]
Incidentally, on the same page, I found perhaps my favorite genius quotation:
The genius is always puzzled by answers, it is the fool who is satisfied by them.
[1] http://readingmarksonreading.tumblr.com/post/2565799967/pg-4...
It's worthy asking "Why do smart people ask questions?" I think the answer is that when they don't fully understand something there is some sort of mental itch that just has to get scratched. Things just don't feel right until all of their questions are answered. Also, I can't help but note how much these endlessly inquisitive smart people sound like the old gadfly Socrates. If philosophy has anything going for it, i…
"It's worthy asking "Why do smart people ask questions?"" Smart people also are secure in what they know and what they don't know and aren't afraid to show it. If you asked PG, Fred Wilson or Steve Blank about a company - if they had heard of it - they wouldn't feel self conscious if they hadn't. They would probably assume it just wasn't well known at that point. If you asked the same question to a "newbie" on HN I'm…
This would only hold true if they were conditioned to fear the reaction of them not knowing. If someone had never heard of Google and they admitted that, if someone simply said 'it's a commonly used search engine' without much negative connotation, they will not be afraid to admit not knowing something similar in the future.
However, if you laugh, point, call them a 'newbie' and make them leave the room with their heads hung in shame, then yes, they may be more careful next time.
It boils down to respect. If you respect people, even if they don't know the obvious, then they will have an opportunity to learn and thrive.
If PG acted immaturely every time someone admitted they did not know something that was obvious to him, he quite possibly would not be able to do what he does.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The working environment in general is less conducive to it I feel. But especially when there are many people in a meeting and its in a consulting environment where you have to manage the client relationship at the same time. I don't think anyone chooses to feel insecure, but I think after having been in that kind of environment, you become conditioned to asking fewer questions.
Why don't you ask your question later, once the client relationship part is no longer in play?
But if I'm not the smartest in the class (or simply not familiar with the material) I may be more inclined to look on Google or follow-up afterwards with the presenter. I don't know if the question I have is worth the time of the 20 or 200 other people in the room. I just don't have the context to know.
So to me it's unclear if smart people ask questions because they're comfortable or because that's what they naturally do. A good experiment -- take these same Turning Award winners to a basketball court and have them run through some plays. See if they start asking questions like, "OK, I go left here, but what if someone is setting a pick, should I switch?" or do they nod their head...
I find folks who have been surrounded by extremely smart hands-on analytical types most of their lives are slow moving and not great leaders because they question absolutely everything. It's a reflex that develops because if you're working with 20 other engineers building a rocket you don't want to be the guy who said "lets just assume" or "screw it, lets just get it out the door".
Sometimes though, it's useful to have an arrogant ass around that makes a few assumptions and keeps kicking the can down the road. Steve Jobs comes to mind.