Stupid questions don’t exist.
Though there are some that definitely toe the line (most notably the one student in my machine shop safety class who asked if some lubricant was toxic, to which the shopmaster replied “…just don’t eat it?”) I don’t believe in “stupid” questions. Silly, maybe, but not stupid.
If you’re asking a foundational question because you know nothing about a certain topic? You’re interested enough to want to know and understand more. None of us are born knowing everything, and you’re not “stupid” for trying to increase your knowledge.
If you can’t quite remember the plan or procedure for something, so you ask someone to refresh you? You’re seeking clarity so you can do the right thing. You’re doing your best to avoid messing something up or getting someone hurt.
Bringing up a “basic” question in a meeting, like a design review? You’re helping everyone have better insight into what is being discussed.
And sometimes asking those questions makes everyone stop to think, and start to peel back the layers to find a genuine problem lurking beneath the surface—or preferably, come up with a more efficient or better-performing way of designing something.
I can also confidently tell you that the advice of “if you want to really learn something, teach it” is absolutely accurate. All of those questions encourage the person answering to thoroughly understand whatever they’re talking about so they can explain it right. I’ve cracked my textbooks many times in writing these emails, and it’s been a great refresher.
And also? Most any expert is psyched when a newcomer shows interest in one of their areas of knowledge. We think our stuff is awesome, and we’re so glad to get to share it and hopefully get someone else excited about it too!
I’ll admit that this is a bit of a thinly-veiled invitation for you all to ask me questions.
But I am also entirely serious when I say it. There are no stupid questions.
The only “stupid” question is the one that never gets asked.