Can we talk about the time I asked a 'dumb' question at a tech meetup in Denver?

I was at a local dev meetup last year, feeling totally lost during a talk on some new framework. I raised my hand and asked the speaker to explain the core concept again, like I was a beginner. You could hear a pin drop. But then the speaker said, 'Actually, that's a great place to start for everyone,' and broke it down simply. It changed how I ask things here. Now I just ask what I need, no filter. Anyone else have a moment that made you stop worrying about looking smart?

3 comments

3 Comments

alice_reed472mo ago

Oh man, my whole life is a series of those "dumb" questions.

dylan_green582mo ago

My first week at community college, I asked my math teacher to explain negative numbers again. I felt so behind, but three other students came up after class and said they needed the review too. It taught me that speaking up usually helps more people than just you.

the_anna19d ago

@dylan_green58 hard disagree tbh. asking questions in class just wastes everyone's time. the professor has a curriculum to get through and stopping for basic stuff holds back people who actually get it. those three students could've looked it up on youtube after class like normal people. plus now the teacher knows you're struggling which affects how they grade you later. speaking up just puts a target on your back.