Like everyone else, Th’ Gaussling has been sailing through life, tacking to windward usually, but occasionally a breeze astern will fill my sails and I can unfurl the spinnaker and just enjoy the ride.  You know the sensation, one blunders forward smoothly in life only to run aground on an uncharted sand bar.   <<< end metaphor>>>

I was met with one of those sandbars recently when my spouse pointed out an observation she had made.  She observed that, in conversation, 

the more highly educated a person was, the more likely they were to spend their listening time formulating their next sentence, rather than actually … listening. 

Jeepers. It is hard to refute that one.  After she made the remark, I knew instantly that it was not just a random comment.  There I was.  Exposed.  Metaphysically naked. 

What I, Th’ Gaussling, find is that as time goes on, I tend to give answers to questions that I wish were asked, rather than those that were actually asked.  It is a poor habit, I’ll admit. But it stems from the notion that the best questions give the best answers.  If someone isn’t going to ask the best questions, then by George, I’ll give answers to the better questions.