FYI for your next debate

[howcho]

I read an article many years ago that described 'false authority syndromn'. It stated that so many people, having read one article or slant, go on to speak on said topic as if they where an authority on the subject matter. I fully recognized that observation in my own life and since have been very cautious when expressing any opinions. How can I truely give an opinion unless I delve into the subject matter? I believe that a good number of people have such a high (or low) impression of themselves that they cannot help but spout off on any topic, just for the joy of hearing themselves speak or be read. I loose respect for these unfortunates and take very little heed in anything they say.

 

[TSD]

I read an article many years ago that described 'false authority syndromn'. It stated that so many people, having read one article or slant, go on to speak on said topic as if they where an authority on the subject matter. I fully recognized that observation in my own life and since have been very cautious when expressing any opinions. How can I truely give an opinion unless I delve into the subject matter? I believe that a good number of people have such a high (or low) impression of themselves that they cannot help but spout off on any topic, just for the joy of hearing themselves speak or be read. I loose respect for these unfortunates and take very little heed in anything they say.

Ive always hated the "I know because i took a class in college", argument. Just because you took one class on a given subject, hardly makes one anymore of an authority on the subject any more than anyone else. I took ALOT of classes for the hell of it in college ranging from Philosophy to criminal justice. There may be a few tidbits of information that stuck out to me and I remembered, because they were interesting, but on the whole, i am sure if I re-took the final exams for those classes now i would fail miserably. The only thing from college anyone is an authority on is your major, and that is only if you actually pursued a career relating to it and have been applying and learning since. I technically went to school for systems admin/network admin, and learned very little programming. Now I am a software developer, I don't even remember the formula to create an IP address and thats basic shit for networking. There are some things I do consider myself an authority on with no formal education whatsoever. I am a nut for Roman and classical history, and have read and re-read probably 20 or so books and countless online sources about classical history focusing on the republic and empire of Rome, my favorite of which was De Bello Gallico which I own in both english and latin.

 

[jakobeast]

I don't trust a good chunk of the classroom teaching. I think there is a lot of room for the teacher or institution to put there slant on it. Known or not, and I am not saying there shouldn't be a slant, or it needs to be eliminated, just that it happens.



I am a fan of teaching yourself. Knowledge, no matter how gained, is paramount to growing. Doing the leg work yourself is great mental excersize. There is a word for self teaching. Anyone know what it is?

 

[LordKOTL]

And people wonder why I'm a cynic and a misanthrope.

 

[MassHavoc]

Qualifications:

I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night, drive a Dodge Stratus and personally know Bill Braskey. And yes he is a son of a *****.