Absolutely. There's a kernel of wisdom here, but the argument buckles without examples where the OP actually was "stupid" and wasn't proven to be "the smart one

Absolutely. There's a kernel of wisdom here, but the argument buckles without examples where the OP actually was "stupid" and wasn't proven to be "the smart one" in the end. Learning isn't a straight path. It's unusual to not veer off and misunderstand something for a while, during which time others might be right to assume you are "stupid". The willingness to look stupid will sometimes reflect that you are, in fact, actually stupid. A lack of any examples in this category makes this post read more like a humble brag.