Depends how they laugh. You can laugh in a good natured way at what should be a logical step but weirdly isn’t because of a non-obvious component of a system. They are funny in a similar way to how a joke is- something about the sudden change in perspective but with an flaw in the logic. But you are right that you need to make it clear you aren’t laughing at them to avoid such confusion.

I see what you mean, but I probably would have laughed at that because it's a really clever solution, not out of scorn. I am guessing a doctor that has spent decade hearing about various blood pressure medications and treatment would have an instant of "That's funny, why can't we just empty them a bit?"

The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. Laughing at people really puts a dent in that, sadly.

How heavy is 1KG of iron?

Asked because not asking is apparently stupid but the question isn't.

Not a fan of the Socratic method, I see. When I was a child my father would ask me and my siblings "Which is heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of lead?"

It wasn't a stupid question, it was an enlightening question, and your "stupid" question would not have sparked further discussion if you'd not asked it.

Thanks for proving the quotation right.

cope harder

Why do you ask? Oh, for purposes of helpful demonstration. Seems like a question that is stupid by letter but not by spirit.

I do concede that there are dumb questions, of course. Although typically I like to say, there are no dumb questions but there are dumb times to ask questions.

Heavy enough to hurt you if it falls on your head, light enough to easily carry for a while.

Your answer isn't in weight but I asked how heavy it is, I expect a weight as answer.

Also I just doped a 1KG block of iron on my head from 1mm distance and it didn't hurt me. Then I cold rolled the block of iron into a 4x4m sheet of metal and I was unable to carry it around for more than a few seconds. Your answer is not only useless its also demonstrably wrong.

Maybe just maybe the question is stupid.

when doctors laugh at me (I ask a lot of questions like this) I typically show them the underlying scientific article that supports it, and ask them if they've read it.

They stop laughing after that.