Got into a weird argument at a library in Tacoma about asking questions

I was at the main library downtown last month looking for a book on local history. This guy at the next table was asking the librarian a ton of questions, really digging into the details. I overheard another person mutter that some questions are just a waste of time and you should figure it out yourself. The first guy shot back that asking anything is how you learn the good stuff. It made me think, is there a line where a question becomes pointless, or should you really be able to ask anything without feeling dumb? What's a time you asked a 'silly' question that actually helped you?

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barnes.brian7mo ago

That hot knife trick is a total game changer for frosting.

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schmidt.amy6mo ago

Right, it works for so much more than just frosting. I use a hot spoon to smooth out ganache on top of cakes, and it gives that perfect mirror finish. Even works for getting clean lines on buttercream if you're doing a semi-naked look. It's one of those simple tricks that makes you feel like you unlocked a secret level in baking.

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beth8467mo ago

My friend once asked a baker how they get the frosting so smooth on cupcakes (it seemed obvious, right?). The baker showed her this trick with a hot knife that she'd never seen before. She tried it at home and her next batch looked totally professional. That "dumb" question basically leveled up her baking game overnight.

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