• Myth/fear: I will ask a stupid question and everyone will find out that I am dumb.

• Fact: 98.7% of questions are not dumb ⁽¹⁾

• Fact: 99.6% of questions motivated by curiosity are not dumb

• Fact: Most other students will be thinking: thank goodness someone asked that question because they didn't understand it either (you will be a hero)

• Fact: Most people fear that they will be found out to be dumb

 

• Myth/fear: I will ask a good question but this will challenge the professor and this will upset him and he will lower my grade, especially if he is wrong.

• Fact: those who challenge me are courageous heroes (unfortunately, b/c it should be normal). Hero-dom is also assured by the following:

• Fact: those who correct me make me more accurate and truthful

• Fact: those who criticize me help me (try to) be excellent

• Fact: those who ask hard questions usually help me learn.

• Fact: Students engaged in any of the above often demonstrate admirable intellectual acuity.

 

• Myth/fear: I will interrupt the lecture by asking a question.

• Fact: it's true, but so what?

 

• Myth/fear: I will answer a question poorly and I will look like an idiot.

• Fact: 97.2% of answers are not dumb, virtually none are idiotic.  Sincerity and trying one's best wards off dumbness.

• Fact: 98.9% of all answers are greatly appreciated by this professor. Even the very few dumb answers are usually appreciated as they are a jumping off point for further discussion and debate.  Of the less appreciated answers (1.1%), 97.6% create annoyance because of ego-centrism and social maladjustment, not dumbness. ⁽²⁾

• Fact: Most students will also greatly appreciate your answer as it helps them learn how their peers are thinking about the issue. Debate and discussion helps even non-participators think about the course materials with greater depth and perspective.

 

• Jervis bowling shoe exercise: Why is Lindley in this business?

• To help students learn, to help himself learn, to debate and be intellectually stimulated. Questions are part of why I am here!!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. Makemup, "Spuriating the Factoid," page 4.