jggraham, no need for apologies, no offence was taken from your initial post, only a matter of "points of view" and "difference of opinions". Your response is very well written, easily understood and absorbed.
I do think that someone does need some sort of credentials, whether it be higher education, job experience, or just plain street cred (or forum cred).
I agree with your statement here, especially this part........"
job experience, or just plain street cred (or forum cred)" you did acknowledge this basically in your original post anyway. I agree also there are many in this forum who fit that bill for building a great training program etc.
The word expert means "a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area"
Hmmm.......this is where I don't necessarily believe the "title" suits the definition and the "title" is just far too over used. IMO that defines a "specialist", someone who specializes in a given field and attains that "
authoritative knowledge and skill in one particular area of that chosen field" to the point they are considered a "specialist" not an "expert". IMO an "expert" would be someone who knows and applies 100% of each and every detail there is to know about his/her chosen field and that is just not possible.
Probably just me but I just don't like the title "expert:" - LOL.
However just because I have a lot of friends that are very good medical doctors, and I surround myself with many of these very talented individuals and have very useful medical and scientific conversations with them, I in no way feel that I am an expert or "specialist" and would never ever give anyone real medical advice.
Excellent choice of friends....you surround yourself with intelligence and higher educated people, IMO this makes you an "
expert" in that have you the ability to recognize brilliance, and with regard to the fact you can converse with same! This is where I think that title "expert" might just fit, as to having that natural ability with regard to recognition and ability to join in discussions.
Does that help clarify what I meant, or do we just have to agree to disagree? I do not want to get into a long drawn out debate.
This is a "healthy discussion" and I thank you for responding to my post and your points are well taken, understood and well clarified. If there is anything we
'agree to disagree" on...it is the use of the term/title "expert" (
even doctors attain the title of "specialist" not "expert" and as such are considered to be one who has reached the pinnacle of that particular field of medicine).
LOL, I am not on board for any long drawn out debate either, but am enjoying this one.....this is also one of the great things about this forum, how one post can spawn into great discussions.
One of the commonalities you and I share here ........there is plenty of knowledge and ability on this great forum......further to that, I do agree with you that seeking out other avenues of professionalism in whatever field they are considered "
specialists" can only help with regard to a top notch training program.