There IS such a thing as a stupid question...

After teaching for five years, I have discovered there is such a thing as a stupid question. As a student whom the yearbook decreed was known for saying, "I have a question" frequently in high school, I am all for curiosity and learning. It is within our human nature to yearn for knowledge. We see it in our desire to be "in the know" and when we can't resist a good piece of juicy gossip. However, as much as I encourage my young charges to explore and discover, I draw the line at stupid questions. Ridiculous, silly, or insignificant ones are fine, but downright dumb inqueries are not to be tolerated. One might wonder, "What is the definition of a stupid question?" And if you are one of those that want to avoid falling into the trap of asking these tedious queries, here it is: A stupid question is one that is so obvious that the inquirer can't be termed anything other than downright dense. You may be asking yourself, with alarm, what I mean exactly. Here are a few examples. If a person has just given you a set of directions, such as what page to turn to, and then you raise your hand, with complete innocence and wide-eyed wonderment, and ask, "What page?" that is a completely stupid question. If an individual performs the same task every day, such as using pen for every assignment, and then they turn around, in complete seriousness, and inquire, "Can I use a pencil?" that is a totally dumb question. If a person has the information right smack in front of their face, but hasn't taken the time or energy to look around, and asks with an air of earnestness, "What am I supposed to do?" then that is an absolutely and unconditionally stupid question. Please do yourself and everyone around you a favor, and take a moment or two before turning to the person next to you, and ask yourself, "Wait a minute, is this a stupid question?"