The Trouble with Experts....

[Scuba]

5. Excellent. As a former "expert", may I add....

Random thoughts (beer and travel money appreciated)...


Definition of an expert, circa 1950: Anyone carrying a slide rule.

Definition of an expert, circa 1970: Anyone from more than 50 miles away carrying a clipboard.

Definition of an expert, circa 1990: Anyone from more than 500 miles away carrying a laptop.

It's unfair to mix all "experts". Mechanical engineers are much more reliable than TV pundits. The key here is how subjective the "expertise" is. Mathematics is hard science. Wine tasting and art appreciation are not. Economic prediction is folly. There are simply so many variables that such large social systems cannot be reliably modeled.

There is no certification, licensing or regulation of "consultants". Say you are one, and you are. As pointed out in the video, knowing the jargon is today's certification of qualification.

The part about the "making you an expert, expert" is worth noting. Presentation is incredibly important in building and maintaining one's credibility. Whether it's your resume, work product (think food!) or yourself, sloppy presentation destroys credibility regardless of other factors.

Empirical studies have proved that 74.3% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

It's fun watching art and wine "experts" getting skewered.

When they released the IBM PC in 1982 IBM "experts" predicted a "world market of 25,000 units".

Hopefully the "Wall Street Prison Expert" will have a booming business.