What’s so bad about being an expert?
No, seriously, I want to know. Because it seems like everyone under the sun and inside the blogosphere is getting all pissy that some people are experts, or as we say on the Intertubes, “self-proclaimed experts.” Why all the backlash against the folks who are being all expertly?
Provided that someone can meet the criteria necessary to be considered an expert, they are in fact an expert. And if you want to get all dictionary-quoting on me, here’s what the definition of expert is (minus military and secondary adjective meanings):
1. a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; specialist; authority: a language expert.
2. possessing special skill or knowledge; trained by practice; skillful or skilled (often fol. by in or at): an expert driver; to be expert at driving a car.
So really, as long as you’re smarter than the average bear in a chosen field, you’re an expert. Nothing about proficiency tests, levels of savvy or degrees of competence. So why the anger?
I understand the anger regarding self-proclaimed SEO and SMO experts – these are emerging technologies that we still don’t fully understand how to utilize to their fullest potential. And I kind of get the ALL CAPS KANYE WEST OUTRAGE that can come from most any Internet debate – it’s pretty much a fact of life by now. But what I absolutely do not agree with is when someone questions whether an authority (be it a blogger established in a niche, someone called upon specifically for their expertise or a similar individual) is actually a viable source.
Do they know more about the topic than you do? Are they paring it down for mass consumption in a way that works? Do they actually have evidence to back up their claims? If the answer to all three of those is “yes,” then you can shut up now, Internet. That person is an expert.
I have over 200 posts on this blog about employment and corporate culture. The information is based on personal research and the experiences of myself and friends. While I might not be as much of an expert as Rich, I’m still an expert. Why? Because people look to me as a source of factual information.
We are all experts on different things – our hobbies, our professions, and even our lives. To discount that someone may be a greater resource on a topic than you are is really pleading ignorance and inhibiting intellectual growth. So even if you don’t agree with what an expert says, it’s not a necessary indicator of whether or not their point is valid.
Then again, that’s just my expert opinion.
