Johns Hopkins Medical Centre - World Coronavirus infection Map by Country.

[Marco]

But you know, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, given a level of entitlement, which is kinda the issue .

(see earlier point about not arguing with a surgeon before an Operation)

I agree with the general thrust of your argument, but in terms of the above, are you saying that laymen should just do what they're told and simply obey the experts? If so, I fundamentally disagree, as it sets a dangerous precedent. Also, 'level of entitlement' sounds rather arrogant and elitist, as if 'us minions' should know our place...

In terms of the surgeon, definitely not *unless* I had very good reason to question his intentions - after all, ultimately it's MY body!

Marco.

[Barry]

An expert is someone who continues to specialise in an increasingly narrow field - he knows more and more about less and less, so that ultimately the expert knows all there is to know about nothing at all.

[walpurgis]

An expert is someone who continues to specialise in an increasingly narrow field - he knows more and more about less and less, so that ultimately the expert knows all there is to know about nothing at all.

I like that!

[Macca]

To the point where a gathered Opinion is an equivalent to a scientific Fact, and experts with knowledge are dismissed or discredited.
.

That isn't a new thing though is it. For as long as we have had science there have been a significant number of people and organisations of people who have dismissed it, or elements of it. Both Galileo and Darwin took a fair bit of stick. Okay so in Darwin's day you had to read about the controversy in a newspaper whereas now we have multiple media platforms. I remember when if you wanted to listen to some nutter ranting you had to go down to Speaker's Corner. Now you can access a thousand of them from your armchair. But it's all the same thing.

There was never some golden age where absolutely everybody listened to the 'experts', especially not in this country which has always had a largely contrarian population.

I actually think that there is far too much reliance on the 'appeal to authority' these days.

For me, if an expert tells me, for example, that 'Face coverings make a big difference', I'll say 'show me your studies that demonstrate that.' I won't just take his word for it because he's 'A Scientist'. If someone says to me 'Why would he be wrong about it? He's a scientist!' I think 'Mug.'

Maybe his study is convincing enough. That's fine. But then you find another study that contradicts that one. And then you realise these things are always far from as cut and dried as they like joe public to think.

[Marco]

For me, if an expert tells me, for example, that 'Face coverings make a big difference', I'll say 'show me your studies that demonstrate that.' I won't just take his word for it because he's 'A Scientist'. If someone says to me 'Why would he be wrong about it? He's a scientist!' I think 'Mug.'

Me, too!! Blindly (the key word) accepting the veracity of anything, from ANYONE, expert or otherwise, at best is lazy thinking, and at worst, sheer stupidity!

Maybe his study is convincing enough. That's fine. But then you find another study that contradicts that one. And then you realise these things are always far from as cut and dried as they like joe public to think.

Exactly, and ultimately why it pays to dig more deeply into things than might otherwise be considered necessary.

Marco.

[Gazjam]

All fair points raised.

No idea why its being assumed though I am suggesting not using your brain, or that not everyone has looked into the matter in detail?
Never said that even once.

I did say everyones entitled to believe what they believe, which is fine, even if you (I or whomever) disagree.
Not pushing anything on anyone.

I've read up on this stuff too, as I'm sure most of us have.

[Macca]

All fair points raised.

No idea why its being assumed though I am suggesting not using your brain, or that not everyone has looked into the matter in detail?
Never said that even once.
.

No, I was just disagreeing with your suggestion that people believing in unlikely or ridiculous things and being anti-science was either a new thing or becoming more prevalent. I think it's the same as it's always been. We're just more aware of it now.

[Beobloke]

Me, too!! Blindly (the key word) accepting the veracity of anything, from ANYONE, expert or otherwise, at best is lazy thinking, and at worst, sheer stupidity!
.

Hang on, though, does that mean we shouldn’t blindly accept you when you say that??

I’m confused now!

[Marco]

Confucius say, when lesser man addresses his master, he should not be blind to his greatness... He must know his status, who is leader and who is follower. And you are follower.

Alles klar, glasshoppa?

Marco.

[struth]

he said Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated, Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.