PSA: There are no dumb questions. Sorry, there are.

[MJ DeMarco]

Public Service Announcement

It's time to address this once and for all.

It's one of the many pieces of "conventional wisdom" that is honored as a fact.

There are no dumb questions.

Uh, sorry, there are.

In the last week we've heard this here in response to some really, really poor questions.

But I thought there were no dumb questions!

There are when you consider context.

Consider this.

There's a 10 page thread that shows you how to start a hustle on Elance.

Instead of reading the 10 page thread, you ask a question that's been asked TWICE and answered TWICE.

Dumb question?

Yes, because your question reveals much more ABOUT YOU, than just the question itself.

• It reveals, I didn't read.
• It reveals, I might be lazy.
• It reveals, I might have an issue comprehending.
• It reveals, I might have an issue with entitlement.
• It reveals, I don't want to work to solve problems, I want someone to solve them for me.
• In other cases, it reveals I don't know how to use Google.

Here's another example...

How do I start a business?

Good question?

Or a bad one that shows you lack even the cursory process of due diligence or problem solving?

Ask better questions to get better answers.

And a better question shows that you've done some cursory investigation.

How about, how do I start a business selling custom made ashtrays when Amazon won't allow me to sell them because they are tobacco related?

The latter question will engage a discussion.

The former will have you dismissed (and possibly cursed at) from the forum.

When someone says "there are no bad questions" they're simply regurgitating Scripted group-think parroted from Scripted MODEL citizens.

There are two types of questions...

1) Questions that make you look like a lazy fool

and

2) Questions that make you sound educated, but curious.

Ask away, but please, lets try to be #2.

Thank you
~ MJ

 

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[G-Man]

MJ, I'm currently unemployed and living with my mom. When I make my first hundred million with my life coaching Instagram business, how should I invest it?

Please, with your limited time, provide math and references to peer reviewed research. I'm too not working to Google it.

 

[justacar]

that's a great way of both adressing forum norms and providing a nudge towards ideas at the same time. the specific question example is actually pretty cool as there are lots of things Amazon or eBay won't let you sell. the restricted products list is here Restricted products - Amazon Seller Central in case anyone is looking for ideas just open up an online shop on any of those categories (hmm... except maybe the human body parts one).