# Um. Maybe I'm Ignorant. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 1, 2013, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183 "2013-05-01T11:12:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183/21 "2013-05-01T18:13:04Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Ask your questions! As long as you aren’t an ass about it nobody will judge you. > > Ironically, **Eutychus** is one of those wise enough to do the lording, but never does. 🙂 I think I typo’d myself out of any lording. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183/22 "2013-05-01T18:16:32Z")
You’re ignorant in some way. We all are. Some of us more than others. I’d say try to focus less on showing people what you know and more on having fun and learning what you can. If you decide to share your wisdom, do it in a place where you really think it will improve the quality of the conversation. You _will_ be opening yourself up to scrutiny when responding. And some people will be really mean about it. But hopefully what you get out of the dialog is worth more than the occasional insult you have to dodge. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183/23 "2013-05-01T18:21:47Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > If you’re genuinely curious and wanting to learn, ask away. You’ll find nothing but friendly help in response.\ Well, I wouldn’t promise them _all_ friendly help - there are still a few of those total dipsticks hanging around. 🙂 > [@Eutychus](#): > > I think I typo’d myself out of any lording. Humble AND wise. Too bad about the fingers. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183/24 "2013-05-01T18:29:08Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Well, I wouldn’t promise them _all_ friendly help - there are still a few of those total dipsticks hanging around. 🙂 > > Humble AND wise. Too bad about the fingers. 😃 and the cauliflower ear, don’t forget that. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183/25 "2013-05-01T18:35:00Z")
Some of us admit our ignorance on a daily basis. Isn’t that one of the principal principles of science? I ask because I don’t know. And, by the way, welcome to the Straight Dope Message Board. Have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183/26 "2013-05-01T20:42:41Z")
The principal rule of any message board is: lurk more. If you don’t know whether your particular approach would be valued or scorned, read the board for a couple weeks before contributing. Bookmark the threads you think you know the answers to, then come back in a few days and see what others have posted. Were you right? Once you get a feel for the board culture and decide you like it, \*then \*begin posting. If you don’t, find a new message board. If more people did this, the internet would be a much better (if more boring) place. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-maybe-im-ignorant/657183.md?page=1)