Baseball, Bikes, Birds and the Bible

Asking a Dumb Question Is Better Than No Question At All

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tnealtarver

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I said, “So what YouTube video would you recommend?”

The man said, “None.”

His physical response to my question (picture someone biting into a lemon when he thought it was a peach) suggested I had asked a dumb question.

Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas, home of the Astros’ AA minor league team

But here’s the big surprise. My dumb question led to an informal but informative discussion on hitting in particular and the general state of my Major League team of choice, the Houston Astros.

Ty Van Burkleo, the Astros’ minor league hitting coordinator, gave me several minutes of his time just because I had asked a dumb question and was willing to listen to correction.

Here are few observations about dumb questions.

They aren’t fatal.

They open the door to conversation.

Engaging conversation leads to asking better questions.

Listening for the answers allows one to become better informed.

And a few words about correction from the book of Proverbs (all from the NIV).

“… correction and instruction are the way to life …” (6:23b)

“… whoever heeds correction is honored.” (13:18b)

“Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.” (15:31)

“… the one who heeds correction gains understanding.” (15:32b)

And my favorite!

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” (12:1)

I don’t mind asking dumb questions but I sure don’t want to be stupid.

I’m curious. What’s a dumb question you’ve asked or been dying to ask?

Recommended Reading:

“Explaining Emotion” at Slice of Infinity

“The Best Way to Network: Serving People” at Jeff Goins Writer

Why You May Not Like Tim Tebow! at Christian Faith at Work

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“Dark Eyes, Deep Eyes” hangs out in the back of the church with my friend Mike, the drummer and sound guy.

11 responses to “Asking a Dumb Question Is Better Than No Question At All”

  1. virtuos and beautiful Avatar
    virtuos and beautiful

    I like your favorite Proverb verse too. It is actually flattering to get corrected (in a nice way) since they actually think one can improve.

    Reply
    1. tnealtarver Avatar
      tnealtarver

      Good point. I know, in working with other writers, the moment I stop critiquing/correcting is when I stop caring.

      Reply
  2. Kari Scare (@KariScare) Avatar
    Kari Scare (@KariScare)

    I need to become more comfortable with asking dumb questions. I usually just keep quiet. I also need to get more comfortable with others asking dumb questions and not react with a face that says I think they are stupid. I do this with my youngest son, who is adopted and missed out on a lot of proper modeling and training early in life. He needs to ask dumb (5-year-old) questions to sort of make up for what he lost (he’s 11), and I need to be more patient with that. Thanks for the reminder of that. Lord, help me!

    Reply
    1. tnealtarver Avatar
      tnealtarver

      My niece’s daughter kept asking lots and lots of dumb questions when my brother and I were hiking around some property he was considering buying. I recognize that youthful curiosity working around in her young mind needed an outlet. It’s something, as we’ve gotten older, that we’ve stifled to some degree. The fear is becoming the one to stifle another’s curiosity. God bless you as you work through that process.

      Reply
  3. Mary Jeffries Avatar
    Mary Jeffries

    Dumb questions are easy to come by….do it all the time….but admitting it and taking the time to listen to someone correct me is much harder….still working on that one….guess it is not the asking that makes me stupid, but the not listening. thanks for reminding me of the importance of listening and heeding the correction, especially when it comes from God.

    Reply
    1. tnealtarver Avatar
      tnealtarver

      Yep, Mary, the difference between being wise and being foolish isn’t the questions we ask. It’s the ability to listen for the answers. Good point.

      Reply
  4. cherigregory Avatar
    cherigregory

    So, this inquiring mind wants to know: What did you say NEXT? After he said “None”? You did/said something to keep the conversation moving!

    Reply
    1. tnealtarver Avatar
      tnealtarver

      I asked what batting tips he would recommend. I sought the same information but didn’t assume a particular answer. From there, we talked about the Astros’ organization and its future.

      Reply
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