In article <6not7n$ebc$1 at Mars.mcs.net>, finch at MCS.COM (Deirdre
Sholto-Douglas) wrote:
> It doesn't matter *what* the audience thinks about the questioner,
> what matters is what they preceive about the *questionee*. Was
> the individual able to field the question, defuse the situation and
> respond adroitly on a hostile playing field or did they fall to
> pieces because no one's ever been critical of them before, let alone
> in front of others in a public forum?
My own experience and opinion on this differs considerably from Dierdre's.
First, there are several scientists in my field who are respected because
they ask worthwhile, insightful, and nonconfrontational questions at
meetings. Getting a reputation for asking good questions can be very
helpful to one's career.
Second, I recall a student who was giving her first public presentation
ever, for a lunch group, which is not ordinarily a big deal. She was very
nervous. A postdoc badgered her to the point that she fainted. Now 15
years later I do not recall the identity of the questionee, however I
definitely know who the questioner was, and the incident is still part of
my assessment of that individual's personality. n = 1, but a powerful
memory.
cheers,
Chris
