STRATEGY
How to Generate Discussion and Get Answers by Asking the Wrong Questions
What is Cunningham’s Law, and how can it help you?
“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” — Voltaire
It’s a common misconception that you’ll get the correct answer if you ask the right question. But, sometimes, the best way to get answers is to ask the wrong questions.
This is because when people are confronted with a question they don’t know how to answer, they will often try harder to find an answer.
In this article, I’ll discuss Cunningham’s Law, which states that if you want to find the correct answer, you should ask the wrong questions instead of the right ones.
We’ll also look at examples of how this can be used to generate discussion and get answers from your audience!
What is Cunningham’s Law?
Cunningham’s Law is the idea that you’re more likely to get a correct answer to a question if you ask the wrong question instead of asking the right one.
This is because when people see a question they don’t know how to answer, they’ll often try harder to find an answer.
This is especially true if the question is challenging or if it’s something that they’re passionate about.
Cunningham’s Law is named after Ward Cunningham, who came up with the idea.
The Law states that “the best way to get the right answer on the Internet is to post the wrong question.” In other words, if you want to find information on a topic, it’s often more practical to ask a question that’s phrased incorrectly or has typos.
This is because when people see a question they can’t answer, they’ll usually try harder to find an answer.
Asking the wrong questions can lead to more discussion and debate than asking the right ones.
For example, let’s say you’re trying to find information on cars. You could ask a question like “What is the best car for me?” but chances are you’ll get a bunch of different opinions.
Yet, by asking a question like “What is the best car for under $20,000?” you’re more likely to get specific and helpful answers.
Asking the wrong questions can help narrow your search and lead you to the correct answers.
How can Cunningham’s Law be used?
There are many ways that Cunningham’s Law can be used to generate discussion and get answers from your audience.
One way is to make typos or errors in your work purposely. It can be done in your writing or even when you are talking with someone and want to get more information from them.
For example, if you’re discussing a controversial topic with someone, you could make a mistake and say something that’s not true.
This will likely lead to the other person trying to correct you and explain the truth. You can generate discussion, debate, and learn more about the other person’s opinion by intentionally making errors.
Another way to use Cunningham’s Law is to ask questions that are difficult to answer. This can be done by asking open-ended or many questions at once.
For example, instead of asking, “What is your favorite color?” you could ask, “What are your favorite colors?” Asking multiple questions makes it harder for people to give a single answer, leading to more discussion.
Finally, you can use Cunningham’s Law to get answers from experts by asking questions that are too specific.
For example, if you want to know about a particular car model, you could ask a question like, “What is the best year for the BMW M series?”
This is a difficult question to answer and will likely lead to more discussion. By asking specific questions, you can get more detailed and helpful answers.
The Science of Asking Questions
Cunningham’s Law is based on the idea that people are more likely to try harder when they’re presented with a challenge.
This is because humans are naturally competitive and want to be seen as intelligent. When we’re presented with a question we can’t answer, our instinct is to try harder so that we can find the answer.
This is why asking the wrong questions can often lead to more discussion and debate than asking the right ones.
The science of asking questions is called a questioning theory. The questioning theory is based on the idea that people are more likely to remember information if asked a question.
This is because our brain automatically tries to find an answer when we’re asked a question. As we search for an answer, we’re more likely to remember the information that led us to the solution.
The questioning theory has been used in many fields, including education, business, and politics.
For example, the questioning theory is often used in education to help students learn new information. Teachers will ask their students questions about the material they’re learning. As the students try to answer the questions, they’re more likely to remember the information.
In business, the questioning theory is often used in sales and marketing. Salespeople will ask their customers questions about their needs and want. As the customer tries to answer the question, they’re more likely to remember the product or service being sold.
Questioning theory can even be used in politics. Politicians will often ask their opponent’s difficult questions during debates. As the opponent tries to answer the question, they’re more likely to remember the information that led them to their answer.
The questioning theory is a powerful tool that can be used in many different situations. You can generate discussion and debate and get more detailed and helpful answers by asking the wrong questions.
So next time you’re trying to create a discussion or get answers, don’t hesitate to ask inappropriate questions. It might lead you to the correct answer.
Common Types of Questions
Now that you know how to use Cunningham’s Law to generate discussion and get answers, it’s time to learn about the different types of questions you can ask.
There are four main types of questions: closed-ended, open-ended, leading, and loaded.
- Closed-ended questions can be answered with a yes or no answer. For example, “Do you like ice cream?” is a closed-ended question. Closed-ended questions are often used to get quick answers, but they don’t usually lead to much discussion.
- Open-ended questions are questions that can’t be answered with a yes or no answer. For example, “What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?” is an open-ended question. Open-ended questions are often used to generate discussion.
- Leading questions are questions that suggest a particular answer. For example, “Isn’t ice cream the best?” is a leading question. Leading questions are often used to get someone to agree with you, but they’re not usually effective in generating discussion.
- Loaded questions are questions that contain two or more parts. For example, “What would you do if you won the lottery?” is a loaded question. Loaded questions are often used to get someone to reveal their true feelings or beliefs.
Asking the correct type of question will depend on your goals. Ask open-ended or loaded questions if you’re trying to generate discussion. Ask a closed-ended or leading question if you’re trying to get a quick answer.
Now that you know the different types of questions, it’s time to implement them. Below are some questions you can ask to generate discussion and get answers.
Examples of Questions to Generate Discussion
- What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
- What would you do if you won the lottery?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- What is your favorite movie?
- What is your favorite book?
- Who is your favorite musician?
These are a few questions you can ask to generate discussion. Asking questions is a great way to get to know someone, start a conversation, or have fun. So next time you’re curious, don’t be afraid to ask a question.
Examples of Questions to Get Answers
- How many flavors of ice cream are there?
- What are the ingredients in ice cream?
- How is ice cream made?
- What is the history of ice cream?
These are a few examples of questions you can ask to get answers. If you’re looking for information about a particular topic, asking questions is a great way to get the answers you need.
“Part of being successful is about asking questions and listening to the answers.” — Anne Burrell
Cunningham’s Law is a helpful tool that can be used to generate discussion and get answers from your audience. By asking the wrong questions, you can often get more valuable and specific answers than asking the right ones.
So next time you’re looking for information online or trying to generate discussion, remember to ask the wrong questions!
What are some other ways that Cunningham’s Law can be used? Have you ever used Cunningham’s Law to generate discussion or get answers? Would you ever use Cunningham’s Law? Why or why not?
Let me know in the comments below!
Please share it with your friends and family if you enjoyed reading it. You may also sign up for my newsletter to receive updates when I publish new material!
If you’re new to Medium and want to show your support, consider becoming a member through my page to gain unrestricted access to my current articles and hundreds of other authors!
Your membership fee directly contributes to my work since I receive a share of your monthly payment at no additional expense to you.
