Is there such a thing as a stupid Question?

Question

Okay, I'm comfortably into level 3 (Woohoo!) and have some points to spare for questions! Carl Sagan said (although I bet he wasn't the first) that there was no such thing as a stupid question. As an androgog of the socratic persuasion, I've tended to agree with that. However, after a couple of week browsing Yahoo Answers, I find myself wondering! What do you guys think?

Answer 1

Yes this one.

Answer 2

A question to which you know the answer to is fairly stupid I guess. Like saying am I a boy or a girl for instance. I would however say that there is no such thing as a stupid question especially when it concerns matters like religion, but only when the question is serious, and the asker actually wants a proper answer.

Answer 3

I've always told my 8 year old son that there is no such thing as a stupid question only stupid answers. It has given him the confidence to ask about something when he doesn't understand. Even when his questioning drives me nuts, I hope he never loses his curiosity for knowledge. Too many parents just want their kids to sit down and shut up nowdays.

Answer 4

Yes, there IS such a thing as a stupid question.



When I was teaching, I used to say that there was no such thing as a stupid question, but this site started changing my opinion.



But to me, a question is only stupid if no true answer is being sought (in other words, the question is only being asked for the purpose of antagonizing others, or simply to display one's own immaturity).

Answer 5

There is no such thing as a stupid question for the fact that it will make sence to someone and someone will find it's simplicity or complexity invigorating. LIke asking why a rolling stone gathers no moss. Some will find it stupid, some philosophical.

Answer 6

Apparently there is.











Not trying to be rude, but I've seen many manifestations of stupidity on this site alone. (Set apart the people who are trying, too hard at times, to be funny.) Any question that has been asked and repeatedly answered might be classified as stupid. The same holds true for those that are completely illogical.

Answer 7

No such think as a stupid question! Never....silly ones, yes. But those are just jokes. We aren't born knowing everything.



NOT asking questions is stupid.

Answer 8

No question is stupid .. If it is a honest request for more knowledge.. However I have seem some pretty idiotic ones in my very short time on here ...



One in particular a few moments ago concerning police cars on the side of the motorway ..



So you might say " are there any stupid answers"

Answer 9

LOL, the full quote of that I've heard (and I don't think it was Carl Sagan that said this particular quote): There are no stupid questions, only stupid people. Or something like that.

Answer 10

yes, there are plenty of stupid people out in the world along with plenty of stupid questions. i believe that even Mr.Sagan would agree after spending at least a hour on yahoo answers, although some questions are asked, knowing by the asker that they are stupid questions,and ive never agreed with that misguided theory, it just seemed to optimistic for me,

Answer 11

Do respectable people ever ask stupid questions? If we are just talking about respectable people then perhaps there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Answer 12

Yes there are stupid questions to be thought of like "When will the world end?" "Is there a God?" "How many apples grow on a single tree?" or "What makes pig ugly men think they're gorgeous; what do THEY see when they look in a mirror?"



They're just impossible to answer. So they are stupid questions.

Answer 13

I think it depends on the asker / asking.

If a question is asked seriously, it can't be stupid as it provides an answer to the questioner.

There are lots of people who just put up stupid stuff for the sake of it - can they be considered real questions?

Answer 14

Yes

Answer 15

Yes

Answer 16

Well I've always been of the belief that the only stupid questions were the ones that weren't asked.

Then I joined Answers and I question that phrase every once in a while.

Answer 17

No, asking a question and getting an answer result in learning something. Even if a question seems stupid to someone and the person/people answering answer sarcastically the person who asked it is has learned something.

Answer 18

i have been on this site for a short time,and i have never in my life read so many ridiculous questions as some of the ones that are asked here. but there are also some good ones out there,and i have found out some things i didn't know about.

Answer 19

I don't think there are ANY stupid questions at all!! Just the jerks who have nothing else better to do than to make up silly questions. It STUPID because you lose -5 points if you ask one!

Answer 20

I've been told that there's no such thing as stupid questions - only stupid answers.

Answer 21

A stupid question is one with an obvious answer and had the asker been half awake, would not have had the need to ask.

Answer 22

yes there is i use to think there wasn't till i started working as a cashier and let me tell you I've heard some dumb ones. The one that always gets me is when the customer says after I have just rang her/him up "is this my stuff" I want to say no i rang up about five people at the same time as you and you all have to sort it out amongst yourselves. duh of course its their stuff i can only do one order at a time. Or they have left their wallet in the car and realize it when they start to pay and say i'll be right back go ahead and wait on them while i'm gone. excuse me i can't move on till this order is paid for or i'm going to have to suspend it and do it over.

Answer 23

When a question is asked out of curiosity and honestly then it's not stupid....but when it is asked purely to manipulate points, such as this forum, it must be expected...



Aho,

Fenix

Answer 24

Yes there is. When people ask the obvious, then clearly that has to rank with the stupid questions.

Answer 25

There is no such thing as a stupid question--only stupid people.

Answer 26

Yes it appears that at least 90% of questions on here are stupid

Answer 27

I'm with you. After spending time with some of the retards on Y! Answers, I have reassesed my position on "no stupid questions".

Answer 28

No but there is such a thing as a stupid answer !

Answer 29

funds and administration. once 2012 comes and is going without something out of the traditional taking position, yet another destiny date will be proposed inclusive of a quasi possible excuse, basically the gullible might want to digest. something to save the peoples' minds occupied at the same time as "the powers that be use them"!

Answer 30

Yes, there are stupid questions. for example...you know the answer to a question and ask it anyway. that would be stupid. or to make someone look stupid.

Answer 31

There are pointless questions which often denote a stupid person. Any question design to gather knowledge is not stupid.

Answer 32

Most of the questions on here are silly. People just want to get points

Answer 33

Didnt u just ask 1??

Some questions on here are very weird and time wasting but hey ho, life's full of the little buggers lol

Answer 34

I subscribe to the Al Jafee school of "snappy answers to stupid questions" myself...

Answer 35

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Answer 36

The only stupid question is the one not asked.

Answer 37

Yeah

Answer 38

Yes, Does pain hurt? Is stupid.

Answer 39

What kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they magically become smarter the second they ask a question?

Answer 40

There are tons of stupid questions because there is a lot of stupid people.

Answer 41

piss on carl sagan. you've read some of the crap on here. it's so stupid sometimes it's pure entertainment. i myself enjoy asking really, really stupid questions.

Answer 42

You may think it is stupid but the only stupid question is not asking it.

Answer 43

yahoo answers have had some stupid questions asked.

Answer 44

Yes. Ie. Asking something obvious.

Answer 45

There are lots of stupid questions!

Answer 46

There is no such thing as stupid questions, just stupid people....



XD



haha just kidding

Answer 47

the only stupid questions are the intentionally stupid questions.



Other than that, if you don't know something the best way to learn is to ask.

Answer 48

There are definitely stupid questions

Answer 49

How old am I? I am in love with my sister? Do you like ice-cream? I think I am a reincarnated what should I do. What colour is black? STUPID QUESTIONS???

Answer 50

I don't think there is a stupid question, only ignorant people.

Answer 51

I'm trying to make them stupid...people just keep answering though.

Answer 52

Many people here don't even post with questions. They simply post statments

Answer 53

A stupid question is a stupid question is a stupid question.......

Gertrude Stein said.

Answer 54

Yes, the "is my avatar cute" question. I seems to see it at least once a day.

Answer 55

i have seen so many really stupid questions on this site it makes me astonished at how many completely dumb ppl there are out there!

Answer 56

yes i agree with the first answer

Answer 57

read through some of the weird questions on here.

Answer 58

In context there is no stupid question

Answer 59

God yes! Just scan the list and behold ignorance in all its glory!

Answer 60

No, there are only stupid answers.

Answer 61

or, to put it another way, there are no stupid questions. only stupid people.

Answer 62

Yes you are asking one right now??????? I don't mind though as it gives me 2 points.

Answer 63

You've clearly not been to the politics section!

Answer 64

Nope no such thing!

Answer 65

I believe there are.



"Do you like my avatar?"



"Which came first, the chicken of the egg?"



"If a tree falls in the forest...?"



"How many licks does it take...?"

Answer 66

there are some real stupid questions on here!!

Answer 67

yes even i m wondering,ya ya i agree wid u

Answer 68

No, just an unasked one

Answer 69

No , never. Most of people will say that.



Idearibbon.com

Answer 70

There are no stupid questions.



However, there are many inquisitive idiots.

Answer 71

yes there is you are asking one!

Answer 72

No..I tell my employees to ask if they do not know.

Answer 73

You just asked it.

Answer 74

yes there is , just read user 'Pretty eyes'questions.

Answer 75

yes i think there is

Answer 76

no not really... just remember people think differently.

Answer 77

the one not asked:)

Answer 78

Can pigs fly???

Answer 79

well u have just asked one....