Do NOT tell me “I’m smart, I can understand the answer” when I tell you, “That’s a simple question that doesn’t have a simple answer.”
It’s not about how smart you are, it’s about you not having the background knowledge and understanding of the subject that you’d understand why there is no simple answer to what you’re asking about.
First, the fact that you asked me that question (in that way) demonstrates this lack of background.
Second, any answer that is simplistic, soundbite, ‘it’s all/just about _____(fill in the blank) would be a lie. Not just wrong, but a lie. Now maybe you want to buy into that lie, but don’t get cranky when I tell you “It’s not that simple.”
Third, people live or die over the quality of the information I provide (or end up in prison). That expands way past what you believe, think, want, feel how things should be or even your goals in training. I say this because it interfaces with the external world. You may want a simple answer to a subject you’ll never end up using. But if you end up in a situation, there are no simple answers. And trying to use one is likely to pan out badly for you.
Demanding overly simplistic answers is the direct opposite of smart — especially over subjects that can get you killed or put into prison.
As a friend said…
‘Why?’ is always hard, especially when you are so smart you don’t need to understand the details.