Firstly, why are we asking a question? What, how, and why? Where does our question come from – moving from association, curiosity, expressing an opinion, pushing an agenda; or something deeper, set in motion by the need for an answer? This is where the question warms up.

Is our question useful or necessary, seeking information to support:

1. the development of an efficient and reliable skill set, or personal practice, in a functional and technical way;

2. to live a good life based on directing principles, such as ethical behaviour in personal, business, or public life – ie value based;

3. the human condition – what are we doing with our lives? What is required of me?

What precedes an authentic question is, what do we intend to do with the answer? Then, are we prepared to hear an answer? Historically, very few people who ask me “serious” questions seem to want to hear an answer.

Secondly, it takes energy to answer a question.

A question that is not really a question, perhaps a statement or opinion which purports to be a question and only assumes the form of a question, takes energy from the exchange. A question powered by curiosity holds little energy, so the person providing an answer has to do most of the work. A burning question carries with it half of the energy required to enable the answer. An answer of value necessarily comes from the floor above that of where the question originates. So to ask a question, of anyone who takes questions and answers seriously (NB not solemnly) is a big ask.

Very few people seem inclined, interested or able to ask a straightforward question, judging by the proliferation of questions that come my way. How we frame the question is key. The quality of the question determines the quality of the answer. Often, it seems that a statement / opinion / criticism is being made, rather than a question being asked. If the question confines the answer to either/or, it’s not properly a question. Similarly, “don’t you think that”… is not a question. “Why didn’t you…?” and “why haven’t you…?” are not questions. If they were, the answer might be “because I was doing what I was doing”. “Why don’t you…?” similarly is not a question, and if it were, the answer might be “because I’m doing what I’m doing”.

Some come with attitude, and a distinct aroma of resentment. A small number are creepy. Monkey Mind is rampant. Many postings are undermined by assumption, and a lack of sufficient information to form a reliable / reasonable judgement. For example, the practicalities and multiple contingencies in putting a band on the road for a major tour. “KC management should engage with the promoter to ensure… “. They do. “KC management should make sure there are good sight lines at venues…”. They do what they can, but we can’t reconstruct venues throughout the world. It is also impossible to overcome the dishonesty rampant in secondary ticket-selling.

“What equipment do you use?” carries little heat or necessity for me. Perhaps it may for a person asking the question, for example if they are interested in finding their own approach to Soundscaping. If so, they will already have found the answer in several places online, and there is no need to withdraw from me the small amount of useful energy available to respond to questions of value. In which case, I am being asked to do someone else’s work for them.

KC questions have mostly been addressed already, somewhere, and for anyone interested in pursuing these, there are many places to go.

Thirdly, a burning question is a question that invites an authentic answer:  it is real, it conveys necessity – I must have this answer in order to continue living!

Q:             How may we judge the temperature of a question?
A:              By how much are we prepared to pay for the answer.

Q:             How may we recognise a burning question?
A:             The question is both personal and impersonal: ie is both subjective and objective.

The price that is willing to be paid for an answer; eg leaving a successful career to go searching.

The form is singular (ie not a series of contingent and qualifying sub-questions) and simply expressed in one sentence with words of one and two syllables.

Robert Fripp
Tuesday 23rd. November, 2021
Hotel Most Acceptable
Tokyo, Japan