Questions, questions, questions

Questions questions questions

When we are age 3, we discover a simple little word that will lighten up our lives, and provide new entertainment value far beyond dolls and cars… “WHY?”.

When we are age 30, that same word, used by our then 3-year old kids, will drive us nuts as you constantly have to come up with an answer.

And somewhere after our third year and before our thirtieth, a choice is subconsciously made – will you be an “Asker” or will you be a “Answerer”?

To define the “Answerer” first – this is the person that likes to find their own way, that solves riddles by thinking, or finding their own answers piece by piece, bit by bit. In the process they often help others and share the knowledge they have gathered.

The Asker on the other hand obviously has the same mental capacity, the same information around him but somehow they stick with the three-year-old’s attitude to pose the question instead of taking it upon themselves to find the answer…

You can divide such needless questions in a number of different categories:

There’s the classic: “Where should I…. “ question – often these days rrelated to information anyone can look up on the internet. Where should I find info about Apple. Well, how about looking on their site?

There’s the "How do I question"  as in "How do I find info on xyz". Again, the internet is usually a great starting place. This question gets asked a lot by people that expect others to look up the info for them…but don’t seem capable of lifting a typing finger themselves.

You have the “I don’t know how to” questions…it’s easier if someone else does it, so this is a great one for all-round use!

I could go on – the thing is that even Answerers get tired of Askers. It’s great figuring out why the world turns for yourself, but if you then have to share what you find with everyone in that world, you do get tired of doing so. So before you ask your next question – just ask yourself this one first.. “Can I figure this out myself?” – who knows, you may yet be a 30+ year old instead of a 3 year old!

1 Comments

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• Jody de Groot | Feb 9, 2010 03:53 AM

  Well, about this distinction between askers and answerers. I have a strange feeling that being a asker is pointed out slightly not active to find an answer.
  In the category 'questions direct possibility to find the answer yourself' like pointed out by Marion I totally agree.
  
  Although, while studying and doing scientific research I see myself prior in the category askers, of course you move also to the box of answerer and vice versa like a dialectical process, however I think that as a researcher, strategist or broader as a human being it it is of great value to stay forever in the category askers. It keeps you sharp, and the more you learn, at least I have that feeling, the less you know, the more bias you will find because you become more conscious.
  
  Only ask questions if it is about sharing and not about laziness, but always ask questions to yourself and second parties to reflect. And I am not 30 yet so who knows where I will end... But maybe there is another category, the questioner and in this story it would relate to a more abstract level.... But who knows. I have only ideas.

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