--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lawrence immediately saw that it was a…" description: "\"Lawrence immediately saw that it was a trick question. You would have to be some kind of idiot to make the facile assumption that the current would add..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/neal-stephenson-362_add_lawrence-immediately-saw-that-it-was-a-t_806227.png" --- # Lawrence immediately saw that it was a trick question. You… ![“Lawrence immediately saw that it was a trick question. You would have to be some kind of idiot to make the facile assumption that the current would add or subtract 5 miles per hour to or from the speed of the boat.” quote by Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/neal-stephenson-362_add_lawrence-immediately-saw-that-it-was-a-t_806227.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/neal-stephenson-362_add_lawrence-immediately-saw-that-it-was-a-t_806227.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/neal-stephenson-362_add_lawrence-immediately-saw-that-it-was-a-t_806227.png) > “Lawrence immediately saw that it was a trick question. You would have to be some kind of idiot to make the facile assumption that the current would add or subtract 5 miles per hour to or from the speed of the boat.” [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A trick question reveals hidden assumptions; recognizing them prevents faulty reasoning. **In simple terms:** Spot hidden assumptions to avoid mistakes. Key Takeaway Question assumptions before acting. Themes critical thinking logic problem solving Mood analytical skeptical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - engineering - education - daily decision making Key Concepts cognitive bias assumption testing Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions are you making? - How can you test them? A Different Perspective Assumptions may be subtle and hard to detect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Add](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add/) [Assumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assumption/) [Boat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boat/) [Currents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/currents/) [Hour Speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hour-speed-6158433/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Idiot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Lawrence Immediately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawrence-immediately-6158432/) [Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miles/) [Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question/) [Saws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saws/) [Speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speed/) [Speed Boat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speed-boat-3838025/) [Trick Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trick-question-1696789/) [Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tricks/) ## Related quotes > [I'm working on a speed boat at the moment. 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This was a trick question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-evans/don-t-you-want-to-survive-this-was-a-trick-question/) [Leigh Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-evans/) > [“Do you want to fuck me, Adam?" I asked through gritted teeth. "Is this a trick question?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-m-silber/do-you-want-to-fuck-me-adam-i-asked-through-gritted-teeth-is-this-a/) [N.M. Silber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-m-silber/) > [I just assume I'm not invisible. I assume I'm wearing fluorescent clothes, and there's a million-dollar bounty going to the first driver who manages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/i-just-assume-i-m-not-invisible-i-assume-i-m-wearing-fluorescent/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [“It's, like, one of them drug dealer boats," Vic says, looking through his magic site. "Five guys on it. Headed our way." 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But if you know how to catch a ride, you can go places,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/see-the-world-is-full-of-things-more-powerful-than-us-but-if-you-know/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [“Hey,” Shaftoe says, “if we surrender to you, you’ll kill us. Right?” “Yes.” “If you guys surrender to us, we won’t kill you. 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