In "The Blue Sword," author Robin McKinley presents the idea that certain topics or lines of questioning may not lead to productive outcomes or meaningful insights. This observation highlights the frustration that can arise when engaging in discussions that seem unlikely to yield valuable information.

The phrase underscores the importance of focusing on inquiries that can genuinely advance understanding or provide useful perspectives. While some subjects may appear intriguing, they can ultimately be unproductive, which speaks to the necessity of choosing our topics wisely in pursuit of knowledge.