Stupid questions asked by smart people

SeymourDuncan · Mar 10, 2013

Everyone has something they know a lot about. Usually this qualifies them as being intelligent. My friend, a physicist, engineer, and part time scientist, recently asked me the following:

"Are fish tanks water proof?"

I responded, "No, they are designed to just hold it in. If the outside gets wet they break."

He responded, "that must be a pain in the butt."

I concluded with, "really?"

End of story.

If you have had similar questions about things that should be common sense please feel free to share.

Remember there are no stupid questions, just stupid people. Or is it the other way around?

MrSquid · Mar 10, 2013

I have known a lot of really dumb smart people. They truly are a special breed.

fragmatic · Mar 10, 2013

I was ask why I wasn't afraid to have "all that electricity under my aquarium", by our very intelligent CPA.
I said, "Well, it should be OK, I have a GFCI and am grounded with the titanium bar".
He said, after a brief period of thought. .... drum roll...."So, how does having a degree in that and those credentials prevent you from getting shocked"?
Stunned, I just answered, "Electrons don't like salt water". Then smiled and dropped the subject knowing to explain would be a waste of good breath.
He lifted his chin as if to say, oh yeah, that's right. I turned to look at my wife as she left the room to politely go have a good laugh out of hearing range.
We both enjoyed a giggle later that evening as we recalled the conversation repeatedly.

A few days later my wife pointed at the GFCI outlet on the wall and ask if it was the one I had a degree in?.. it never dies. Any time we have a conversation about our books or taxes and our CPA's name comes up we look at each other and smile or giggle.

Someday when we are enjoying a drink or something, I will need to clear my guilt and explain it to him. We have a lot of respect for his brilliant skills. In the mean time.... LOL

SeymourDuncan · Mar 10, 2013

Good one!!! My buddy with his dumb question is building a remote control bird, and succeeding. Give him water and he's like huh?

Non enthusiasts are funny.
Especially when they ask me "is that alive?" Is what alive? The sand, water, corals and rock are all alive. What do you want a birth certificate?

"This rock was born in 20bc on July 99th."