[mmasters]

I think it's better to have the merits of people's posts speak for themselves. I think adding "Expert" titles can interfere with that implying that some people's opinions carry more weight or are "better" than others. After all do we want new people coming to the site only to gravitate to the "expert" posters?

I don't like it and I'm curious to see what others here think or have to say. I would lump this in with putting rating indicators on people's posts.

[Aaron]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') would lump this in with putting rating indicators on people's posts.

[mattduke]

Expert in what area? Hydrocarbon depletion modelling? Solar panel installation? International currency economics? Geopolitics? It's just an invitation for bickering, and is no substitute for critically evaluating each and every post from every poster. I think annual awards are much more appropriate than labels.

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

Considering the range of topics covered here I don't think you could just say they were an expert. You'd have to qualify what they are an expert at. I've seen one person newbies would consider a possible "expert" because of their status try and pass off medical advice when we know they aren't qualified by any stretch of the imagination.

If you need an expert find one in your own city because then you can see what their credentials really are. Besides, even experts in real life will give you differing answers. If you get all the options you can make up your own mind by weighing the arguements and facts. Having "experts" just clouds the issue and input.

[davep]

Well, I can add up the letters of words, where "a" is 1 and "z" is 26, in the blink of an eye.

It's a fairly useless skill, but I'm bloody good at it. Can I be an expert please? Or do you fancy creating a new autistic monomaniac category? There'd be quite a few other candidates for that title on here.

[mmasters]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Aaron', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') would lump this in with putting rating indicators on people's posts.

[roccman]

So exactly how did AP get the "expert" label...??

Time on PO.com?

Well if Heinberg showed up today (and I am not sure he is not here)...does he get expert?

Number of posts?

Hell - One could pound out bullshit 24 7 365.

What if Sen. Bartlett showed up ...does he have to wait till 10,000 posts to get to expert?

Content of posts?

Well let's see - where are APs publications in reputable rags?



Naw...this is how it played out in my mind...

AP was feeling small again and sent a PM to Aaron asking for special status because he is all that and a bag of chips.

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

Economists are experts....but they don`t know Jack or should I say Mr. Bill.

[turmoil]

I don't mind not being an expert. It removes the pressure of having to be right all the time...which no one can claim to be.

Even the biggest egos like mine can not defy the laws of physics.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', 'S')o exactly how did AP get the "expert" label...??

[roccman]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', 'S')o exactly how did AP get the "expert" label...??

[Pops]

I seem to have acquired more stars lately, and another tractor; though this one looks like a Case.

Thanks tho.


I like my title even though instead of E Lite I drink Natural Light most of the time.


Back in 2004, I first said:
and of course I am no expert, but: ...

I have been pontificating ever since.


Besides, we all know what an ex-spurt is...

[jasonraymondson]

@Aaron, you won't give him the expert badge because he choose to disagree with you?

Seriously?

[Jack]

This is an absolutely delightful little case study in human behavior and psychology.

Let's see now. We have a title...on an internet forum...and it doesn't come with any particular reward. And angst fairly drips! People beat their chests, rip their garments, and cover themselves in ashes (figuratively speaking, of course). This one got the title, that one didn't, there weren't elections, and so on and so forth, ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

Now I wonder what humanity will do when one person has a crust of bread, and another has none? Or when one person has a shiny new electric car, and another has shoes with holes in the sole? That should be amusing.

I do so enjoy humanity living up to my expectations.

By the way, if it's possible to get the special title of "Sociopath" I wouldn't mind....that should stir people up. I wonder how many complaints would come forth from others who yearned to be designated as sociopaths?

[roccman]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', '
')
Now I wonder what humanity will do when one person has a crust of bread, and another has none?

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'T')his is an absolutely delightful little case study ...

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', '
')
Nice…

[PrairieMule]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'N')ow I wonder what humanity will do when one person has a crust of bread, and another has none? Or when one person has a shiny new electric car, and another has shoes with holes in the sole? That should be amusing.

[threadbear]

I think Jack should have his own sticky--"Ask a sociopath". It would be helpful as we're going to have more of this to deal with in the future.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Shannymara', '
')"Fascist" would be even more inflammatory, although I bet fewer people would ask for the title.