Just Keep Asking
“There’s no such thing as a stupid question.” It was a line that would be oft repeated in that eighth grade science classroom. Repeated so often, in fact, that I can still recall the rhythm and intonation of its speaker.
Sometimes it was met with the unspoken insecurity of teens that can only be expressed in dry laughter and eye rolls. Other times, a shoulder or two would twitch, and a feigned relaxed pose would give way to an openness to ask questions and learn something new.
The adage that there are no stupid questions has been told by many in the earnest hope that we’ll always retain our wonder, our curiosity, our pursuit of knowledge.
Alas, there may be no stupid questions, but there are undoubtedly uncomfortable ones. How we react is key … and telling.
Sometimes, the recipient of a question is embarrassed that they don’t have the answer. Sometimes, they simply don’t want to provide the answer, or don’t know how to frame their response in a way that aligns with some other agenda. Sometimes, the answer is anodyne, but they’ve been asked too many times already. Sometimes… the reasons respondents bristle goes on.
Whether the toll is intellectual, emotional, or political, sometimes the mere experience of being asked a question grates on someone. And, sometimes, they point that frustration toward the person asking.
And that is a tragedy.
By nature, we are curious beings trying to find our way in a tumultuous world. Whether we’re trying to expand our understanding of the universe by studying exoplanets or trying to expand our reach through the next viral video, we’re all explorers in life … and exploration comes with questions.
And yet, answer-seekers are regularly shut down. Their proverbial mics are cut, and they are ridiculed for daring to question what they see, what is obscured in shadow, and what remains unknown. Knowledge is gatekept, often at the expense of those without, and over time, curiosity becomes coupled with anxiety and apologies. Too often, the curious will shake their head, smile, and excuse themselves for “asking too many questions.”
Why are we apologetic for our curiosity?
Perhaps we need more leaders who embrace the mindset and calm confidence of an eighth grade science teacher. Instead, we simultaneously seek hires who are proactive problem solvers, yet admonish their answer-finding methodologies for being uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Alas, meaningful answers can be plucked from the sky no more than substantive problems can be swept under the rug. Solutions require answers. Answers require questions.
So, why do we project our own discomfort with answering a question on the person asking it?
If a truth is unknown, how can we find the answer for everyone involved? If a truth is that uncomfortable, perhaps first consider why a convenient lie wants to own the narrative instead. What would it take to make the truth more comfortable? How can we affect that change? If a truth is frustrating to repeat, how can we help educate people more efficiently? Is an awareness campaign needed? A knowledge base?
Behind every bristled reaction to a question is another question: why? If this can be answered, it becomes easier to separate the frustration of answering from the person who asked. If it can’t, expect to be frustrated time and again, as answers will always be sought from those who seem to have them.
Why? Well, that’s another question, isn’t it? Curiosity is a beautiful thing. Embrace it, celebrate it, and no matter what, just keep asking.
