Comments on: What is an expert? http://thegoodthebadthespin.com/2009/04/02/what-is-an-expert/ The Intersection Between Public Relations and the News Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:59:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Melanie http://thegoodthebadthespin.com/2009/04/02/what-is-an-expert/comment-page-1/#comment-750 Melanie Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:57:38 +0000 http://thegoodthebadthespin.com/?p=652#comment-750 Bob, Great post! It's amazing how many people with, say, ZERO, experience, education or even talent, presume to know what they are talking about, and even argue with actual experts. Sigh. This is a phenomenon I have observed time and again. People who aren't even in the same league with another person of greater ability often do not comprehend the distinction, and will criticize or deride the greater talent. People are funny. Bob, Great post! It’s amazing how many people with, say, ZERO, experience, education or even talent, presume to know what they are talking about, and even argue with actual experts. Sigh. This is a phenomenon I have observed time and again. People who aren’t even in the same league with another person of greater ability often do not comprehend the distinction, and will criticize or deride the greater talent. People are funny.

]]> By: Ike http://thegoodthebadthespin.com/2009/04/02/what-is-an-expert/comment-page-1/#comment-747 Ike Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:33:33 +0000 http://thegoodthebadthespin.com/?p=652#comment-747 Bob, you nailed it. I saw this from the journalist's side, where certain experts seemed to dominate the air, pulp, and pixels. They weren't the brightest, certainly not the most articulate, and definitely were on the fringes with their opinions and motives. I called it the Cult of Availability. When you're on a deadline, there's a huge temptation to forego getting the "right" expert when the "right now" expert is waiting for your call. They are so ideological and eager to share their perspective, you can always count on them to answer the phone. Heck, pair them off with some nutjob on the other extreme, and call it "balance." Expertise is something that is best bestowed by another. I shy away when others offer themselves as Expert, unless I can see a clear body of work or third-person testimonials to back the claim. And when everyone is a publisher and a pundit, finding the gold in the garbage is harder, indeed. Bob, you nailed it.

I saw this from the journalist’s side, where certain experts seemed to dominate the air, pulp, and pixels. They weren’t the brightest, certainly not the most articulate, and definitely were on the fringes with their opinions and motives.

I called it the Cult of Availability. When you’re on a deadline, there’s a huge temptation to forego getting the “right” expert when the “right now” expert is waiting for your call. They are so ideological and eager to share their perspective, you can always count on them to answer the phone. Heck, pair them off with some nutjob on the other extreme, and call it “balance.”

Expertise is something that is best bestowed by another. I shy away when others offer themselves as Expert, unless I can see a clear body of work or third-person testimonials to back the claim. And when everyone is a publisher and a pundit, finding the gold in the garbage is harder, indeed.

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