Big Think

Madison Marasco on January 18, 2008, 12:19 AM

Isn’t it a person who knows alot about a specific topic. Not saying the other ones are not considered “experts” but that is kind of a corrupted view.

Alex Spalding on January 18, 2008, 3:50 AM

I think expertise is a product of experience, practice and interest. A degree from a university, occupational fame and personal charisma aren’t things that qualify a person as more expert or experienced than another without them. I believe that whatever a person has the most interest, practice and experience in is an area in which they have expertise. There really shouldn’t be so much of a hierarchal structure on Big Think, so much separation between supposed experts and laymen.

Poofy Jackson on January 18, 2008, 7:01 PM

If you feel someone labeled on here as an “expert” is not deservedly named, give an example, and explain your reasoning.

In my understanding, most of the people deemed “experts” on here have either spent a good amount of time studying/practicing their field of expertise, or are people whom the population would like to hear about (i.e. political candidates).

Douglas Whitmore on January 18, 2008, 8:01 PM

An expert [a label and labels are easily and often misconstrued] is someone who is adept in a matter, probably accomplished and able to communicate deftly about a cause, subject, matter, etc…
It’s simply a label, a definition; it’s not the totality of said person.

Jason Mancer on March 28, 2008, 2:42 PM

most “experts” are self proclaimed experts