I was sure 'ask anything' meant no dumb questions, but a chat with my cousin's kid changed my mind

We were talking last Sunday and he asked me if he could ask anything about my job... I said sure, go for it. He then asked something so basic I almost laughed, but I saw he was really trying to get it. It made me rethink the whole idea. I used to think this space was for complex stuff, but maybe the simple questions are the point. They're the ones people are too shy to ask anywhere else. Has anyone else had a moment where a 'simple' question made you see the community differently?

3 comments

3 Comments

quinn96813d ago

Yeah, the part about simple questions being the point really hits home. I was showing a new guy how to lay shingles last week and he asked why we start at the bottom. It seems obvious to me, but he just didn't know. That's the stuff you need to hear before anything else makes sense.

shaneb1612d ago

Actually, starting at the bottom isn't always the only way. Some guys will tell you that on certain roofs or with specific materials, you might work a different pattern. That basic question can lock a new person into one method before they even understand why other ways exist. Sometimes the "obvious" answer just teaches them to follow orders, not to actually think about water flow or the best approach for the job. Over-simplifying can create rigid thinkers instead of good tradespeople.

danielw8810d ago

Exactly, that's how you build real skill.