It's true. It's hard to let yourself appear stupid - and when
   you're shot down and someone says, "Oh, don't be an idiot" or
   "shut up - you don't know what you're talking about" or "quit
   babbling" - you instantly - just for a second - turn into a
   little kid again, being scolded and it feels like the class is
   laughing at you. But there is no teacher. There is no class. Yet
   the feeling still comes ...back and it makes you clam up. That's
   why it takes courage to be willing to be ignored, shamed,
   scolded. It means their words of shame have no power over you,
   for you know WHO YOU ARE inside. It's impossible to convince
   others "who you know you are" because they're wrapped up in
   their own little bubbles, their prejudices, their opinons, their
   issues. But if you can convince yourself, then you have changed
   your world."