drunken downfall of beloved artist thomas kinkade

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

205. So, what level of expertise would you require

in order for someone to express an opinion about something (e.g., art) on DU?

And, since you don't know me or anything about me, how do you know that I'm not an "expert" on art? I could be an art professor or an art historian or a professional artist. Would you want a detailed resume in order to evaluate whether I qualify as an expert? I might (and in fact, do) have training in art. But what if I weren't an art expert, or lacked any training at all; maybe I'm a dog groomer or a dentist or a helicopter pilot or a software developer. Am I therefore prohibited from offering my opinion on DU on any topic other than dog grooming, teeth, helicopters or computer software?

DU is just an internet message board. Anybody can offer their opinions on anything as long as doing so doesn't violate DU's rules, without having to qualify as an expert witness as if they were testifying in a trial. You are welcome to accept or argue with or ignore anybody's opinion, but don't go snarking at people just because they offered one.