i have respect for people who can ask these seemingly-dumb but valid and good-faith questions, knowing that they may be judged for it. we all have gaps in our knowledge.
True. However it can also be used by asking a question without having looked into it, ie. laziness, having others do the work instead. The tactic is then to come across as (courageously) courteous. The old preface on /. "OK, I got karma to burn [...]". Looking into it before asking for help is easier nowadays than ever before (sapere aude). With the caveat it is also easier to find misinformation and fall into such a cultish trap set up by people thousands of miles away, frolicking around in hostile jurisdictions (IRA comes to mind). I guess the cynicism is high in my post; if we lighten up and assume no harm Saul Goodman.