I posted a question to Reddit seeking advice on “How best to connect my Dishwasher to the hot water supply” and (as expected) the first three responses were people saying (paraphrase) “that’s crazy, why would you want to do that?”

Answer: because the manufacturer says it’s a good idea, and the math checks out.

I subsequently had the following discussion with ChatGPT to try and put a name to this phenomenon. Broadly I agree with its conclusions, and hence I am sharing them here.

What do we call the phenomenon, rather than the actors?

---

I am certain that there is a better, more precise term than “mansplaining” for the phenomenon of asking a question in a forum of experts only to be greeted not with discussion, but instead with people challenging the existence of the question at all, along the lines of “why would anyone want to do that?” and “that seems stupid”, rather than perhaps “counterintuitive”. What is this phenomenon?

The phenomenon you’re describing, where someone asks a question in a forum of experts only to be met with dismissive or condescending responses questioning the validity or relevance of the question itself, could be referred to as “gatekeeping.” Gatekeeping occurs when individuals or groups assert control over access to knowledge or resources within a particular domain, often by imposing arbitrary standards or criteria.

In this context, the experts in the forum may be engaging in gatekeeping behavior by dismissing the question or the questioner rather than engaging with the topic in a constructive or helpful manner. This behavior can be alienating and discouraging for individuals seeking genuine discussion and learning opportunities.

It’s important to encourage inclusive and supportive environments where questions, even if they may seem unconventional or unfamiliar to some, are welcomed and addressed with respect and consideration.

I can see the validity of gatekeeping as a description, because that is a fair description of (say) a cohort seeking to exclude a questioner – to me, “gatekeeping” sounds directed at the questioner rather than at the question. Would you agree?

Yes, you’re correct. “Gatekeeping” typically refers to the actions or behavior of individuals or groups who seek to control access to certain domains or resources, often by setting arbitrary standards or criteria. While it can encompass the exclusion of questioners, it doesn’t directly address the phenomenon of dismissing or invalidating the question itself.

For a term that specifically focuses on the act of questioning being dismissed or invalidated, “question invalidation” or “question dismissal” might be more appropriate. These terms emphasize the action taken towards the question rather than towards the questioner.

interesting idea; those descriptions certainly do address what happens to the question, that the ingroup reflexively challenges new ideas and questions (a kind of practical neophobia?) rather than embraces the potential of a new concept. The sense I am getting is that perhaps there’s no elegant single word description for this phenomenon?

Indeed, it seems that there might not be a single, widely-recognized term that succinctly encapsulates this phenomenon. The behavior you’re describing involves a complex interplay of factors such as cognitive bias, group dynamics, and social norms. While terms like “gatekeeping,” “question invalidation,” or “question dismissal” may convey aspects of this phenomenon, they may not fully capture its nuances.

The tendency for ingroups to reflexively challenge new ideas or questions could indeed be related to a form of neophobia, which is a fear or aversion to new things or experiences. However, neophobia typically refers to an individual’s response rather than a group dynamic.

It’s possible that as discussions around this phenomenon evolve and become more nuanced, a more precise and widely-accepted term may emerge. In the meantime, using descriptive phrases like those you’ve suggested can help convey the concept effectively.