Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
One Reason I Love Ricochet: Experts
Experts have taken a beating in modern times. Reviled, blamed … even the great Austrian economists like Mises and Hayek have taken a few shots at them. But Ricochet has attracted, developed, and retained a diverse core of experts, and to me they are far from a curse. They are an integral part of the value of this site. They know what is true about their area, not just what pop culture tells us is true.
What is it really like, or what was it really like, in nursing? In doctoring? In the Portuguese and Slavic languages? In film-making? In ranching? In post-WWII England? In Nigeria? In professional modeling? In raising kids on a limited budget? In being a cop in Portland? In being a family lawyer? On losing a loved one? On getting and having cancer? In semi-conductor manufacture? In Elizabethan poetry? In rock music? In classical music? In the inner workings of the US Senate? In Jewish theology? In Christian theology? In modern physics?
And much more.
I would like to teach you about that microscopic area that I think I know better than you after all these strange peripatetic (look it up! I had to.) years of unintentional discovery, in return for what you teach me, but it’s really hard work and it requires skills I haven’t got in abundance.
So, thanks and a Hat Tip to Ricochet’s experts.
Published in General
So long as “Modern” means the same as in Modern English, I would agree.
As I was taught, an ex- is a has been, and a spurt is a drip under pressure, so put them together.
Very true. Experts have taken a beating in modern times, as you point out.
Our experts here on Ricochet are true experts, not narrow experts who think they can run Society. The Left has totally debased the concept of “expert” by their idolizing of people like Fauci.
I think problem is that Leftists and the Corporate Media have been choosing which experts we hear. There is a huge selection bias and we are all worse off for it.
The depth of knowledge is truly amazing on this site, Mark. Whether the knowledge is technical or experiential, we have access to much wisdom here. I’m so grateful!
I’m pretty expert at estimating concrete. Not quite sure that’s what you have in mind.
I agree, Mark. There are some really smart people on this site. I learn something every time I log on.
Now, sometimes that something doesn’t have obvious practical value to me. Like Star Trek trivia or show tunes lyrics or whatever. But still, it’s something I didn’t know before.
And I’ve learned a great deal that does have obvious practical value to me. I ‘like’ a lot of posts and comments that I disagree with, because they bring up a good point that I hadn’t considered before, and it forces me to do some research, or change my thinking. I may not agree with the person’s point, but I very much appreciate them taking the time to share their perspective with me. Again, I’ve learned so much in this environment.
I’m very appreciative to all of you. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with the rest of us. I’ve benefited greatly from my time here.
In case anyone is in doubt, I’ve kept my expertise well under wraps.
I’ve long admired your remarkable discretion…
Oh yes it is. I’d guess most of us knew absolutely about concrete before you and @concretevol gave us lessons. How long ago was it?
No, it is what I have in mind.
I’m not sure what an expert is. There are people who seem to know more about specific things than most people, perhaps everyone, but who can judge? I know I’ve never been expert in anything, but when trying to sort matters our, figure relevant truths or best approximations to what might be superior approaches I’ve often found the “experts” way off and frequent sources of error. Interactions and trial and error over time among many with specific relevant knowledge seem to lead to superior outcomes in most matters.
You are an expert at analyzing expertise. That is an expert. I think most experts on Rico hold their expertise with a level of humility–except Mark, of course! 😊
I resemble that remark.
We are losing the distinction between expertise and credentialism. When economic realities prevailed, universities cranked out specialists in accordance with supply and demand. Competition, excellence merit, and all that other racist, sexist, elitist stuff prevailed. There was some assurance that the guy in the white coat knew more than you and his area and when he spoke, getting it right was his main concern.
Since then everybody gets a trophy and a bachelor’s degree. The incredibly cynical evil deal in which the federal government helps impoverish young people to use them to funnel money into universities also spawned entire fields of “study” that would not exist without excess funding and political clout to misuse it because they have no value.
An “expert” in “___ Studies” demands deference to purely ideological and political opinions on the basis of academic credentials, not logic, empirical data, a legacy of brilliant scholarship nor a tested hypothesis.
And increasingly, (what used to be) more legitimate credentials are enlisted to affirm ideology.
As a recovering attorney, I may have a rather jaded view of experts because quite a few can be induced to say what is required when litigation comes down to a battle of paid experts. (The jury will like my whore better than yours–wanna settle?)
So, so, so true.
Also very true. The stuff I’ve seen expert witnesses say is incredible.
It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again here: Ricochet is NPR for conservatives.
FYI: The word expert comes from the Latin expertus which means “tested” or “proven”.
So, you know, there’s that.
What a nasty thing to say.
Here at Ricochet, we encourage the discussion of various different topics from various different perspectives. We hope to learn from one another. We respect those with whom we disagree.
Ricochet is nearly an exact opposite of NPR.
Hence the “for conservatives” bit!
Nailed it. Nothin’ but net, right there.