Inspired by Fluther's We're all experts slogan - what makes an expert - and when do you know you've become one?

I think you’re an expert when you believe you know everything about a subject but are smart and open-minded enough to realize you will always need to keep learning.

I haven’t achieved expert status in anything yet so it will do me good to find out what others here have done before me so I can aspire to follow in their footsteps. I like to continually challenge myself and learn new things so I’ll be interested to see the forthcoming answers here.

I always hesitate to call myself an expert at anything because I always find more to learn about a subject.

For others, I consider them an expert when what they’ve told me over a period of time holds up to be true. When they can see all sides of their subject, good and bad. When they stay on top of new developments, technologies and techniques. I definitely admire an expert when they say ‘I don’t know, let me research that further’.

I do think that I give few people ‘expert’ status because there’s nothing higher than that. I tend to classify most people as ‘well-versed’ and reserve expert for those that stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Depends what we’re talking about. You can read a lot about swimming, but that won’t make you an expert swimmer. You can be an Olympic gold medalist in swimming and not be an expert in hydrodynamics. Expertise is relative. I believe the law defines an expert as one that is knowledgeable beyond the average layperson.

I think that when you get good enough at something, that you can just feel the skill pulsing underneath your skin, and you wake up most days thinking about said thing, thats when you can call yourself an expert.

I think it’s a combination of experience and study.

I know plenty of people who have borne children who have no idea how pregnancy works. Every male gynecologist in the world knows a ton about the logistics of pregnancy, but they can’t tell you how it feels when your fetus has the hiccups.

I consider myself knowledgeable about pregnancy. I have some formal, mostly informal study in midwifery, and have lived (just barely) through a very complicated pregnancy.

So there you go.

I’ve probably read more on conspiracy theories than anyone here. Dubious.

I kind of snicker at that slogan and at the bit in our profiles that asks what you are “expert” in.

I do not think that any person can really determine when they are experts. That is not up to them. It is up to what other people believe of them.

I listed Holocaust and my people in my expert categories because experience has shown that, on my websites I visit, I am more knowledgeable than most (or any) about these topics. However, I am still not an expert. If I was asked this question on a WWII forum I visit, I would not list “Holocaust” because there are people as knowledgeable as myself there. To my pleasure I am able to keep up with them on this one aspect of WWII. If I was asked this on a board for my people, I would not list that because most people on those boards are as knowledgeable, or even more so if they still live in the traditions, than myself.

So, to me, I take the expert thing in our profiles as to mean “subjects you think you know more about than other members of Fluther or are amongst the most knowledgeable.” Even here there is a kicker: “subjects you think you know more about.” I could easily be proven wrong. There could be a core member base here that would run rings around me. Wherever I go on various boards, other than WWII and Rromani boards, I am described by the memberbase as “the guy to ask” about these questions… so I have listed them.

I list them because, if someone looks at my profile, they can get a gander at what I think I am most knowledgeable in.

In my interests section are listed things that I am just plain interested in to things that other people have called me “expert” in but I do not think that I am expert, in that I am more knowledgeable or in the top percentage of knowledge about the topic in the Fluther memberbase.

That is why I have so few things listed as “expert” and, even then, I kind of feel wonky about listing them.

I’m amused at how many people list “sex” as one of their fields of expertise. You gotta wonder how high that bar is set.

Once you’ve mastered all the aspects of your endeavor or are really drunk and are convinced that you know everything.That is it,Zen :)

@Harp That one kind of makes me snicker. I know of one who has that listed who, from my observation, just might merit having it in there because they know a lot more about sex, sexual positions, sexual dynamics, etc. than the average Joe/Jane. However, that is one member.

Oh, I do not even list “martial arts” in my expert list because, while I have blackbelts in two arts and have been practicing for decades, I do not know as much as many… I know my styles, body mechanics of the martial arts, and the like. There is one member here that I know, with absolute certainty, who knows 10 times more than I, knowing the history of the martial arts… period. He has been in the arts longer than I have and dedicated his entire life to his study, just like I have with my study of the Holocaust.

I guess that is part of my criteria for expert: the time and passion with which you study and learn. I have been studying the Holocaust since my teens (I am 47) due to needing to understand why my people and family were slaughtered in it (I am not a Jew). This includes all peripheral study needed, such as sociology, psychology, and more.

The guy I describe has done the same with the martial arts. I know a number of people who have done what he has, actually. I have not which is why I do not list it. I know my specific styles, general history of the arts, and philosophy of the arts.

My study into such as the Holocaust, the history and present situation of my people, etc. is a consuming one. I never stop… ever. I have lots more to learn and am going to learn it.

@Owl nailed it and right off the bat, too. Thanks – and to you all, too.

Edit 1: @lucille the name so nice, she called herself thrice: I likey you answer.

Edit 2: Jeruba is an expert. Period. Pick a topic, she be an expert.

Edit 3: Daloon is the expert on relationships and emotional crap things. Where is the big lug anyway? – quit his account again? No worries, he’ll be back again soon – like me. We bi polar bears do stuff like that sometimes.

@Arisztid

A very wise person once told me that selling oneself short isn’t what humility is about. One should never fail to give themselves credit for what they know, and what they can do.

I am a damn good cook. Am I Emeril Lagasse? Probably not. Are there people who know more about cooking than me? Absolutely. Does that make my roast turkey any less perfect? Of course not.

I’d call you a “Holocaust Expert”. Absolutely. You seem to know more than the so-called “experts” on the History Channel do, that’s for damn sure.

@Seek_Kolinahr Thankyou very much. :D

I do not sell myself short on things, rather really believe that “expert” can only be accurately assessed by people outside of yourself. It is not a matter of selling myself short… it is a matter of definition.

The so called “experts” on the History Channel? Now, I have not had television since 2003 but I clearly remember rolling my eyes at some of them. I also have been known to yell at my television when some moron expert on television is spreading incorrect information about the Holocaust. I do the same with the blithering idiots experts on television who have NO clue about my people and spread misinformation in documentaries. I tended to avoid these programs because I can really go off on a yelling match with my television. There is more misinformation being spread about my people than about the Holocaust, however.

The European Union has apparently created a career title named “Expert”. No, not expert in something, just expert.

Finally we have a formal definition of what constitutes an expert. You can always rely on the beaurocratic machinery of the EU to come up with ridiculous definitions.

I think its somewhat relative on who you’re talking to. To most on fluther I would be considered an expert when it comes to marine life, but in all actuality compared to your average hobbyist i’m just above average on knowledge id say. There is still so much information out there for me to learn. But as said above, i think its that drive for more knowledge and always knowing there’s more to learn that is really important.

Perhaps “expert” extends to enough knowledge to understand what the question is asking, answer it in a manner that sets parameters, and curiosity to figure out where and how a more detailed answer could be found.

I do not feel I am an expert. Most of my answers are given via life experience, direct experience, or educational experience. I joined Fluther to learn more. The only way to become an expert is to do the same thing over and over. Here, on Fluther, the questions are varied and I feel for the most part we try to help others with their problems. Sometimes it is easier to get the opinion of and objective stranger than a relative or friend. As for the health questions….........SEE THE DOC!

It seems that its actually quite rare to see someone here on Fluther that is literally an expert at one or more particular subjects. I know that Pdworkin is a genius with computers, but can’t remember off the top of my head who else is a sage of that topic.

I don’t believe I’m an expert at anything, but I may be particularly knowledgeable of some subjects.

Expertise is the result of advanced level education or training, a growing body of practical , applied experience and ongoing efforts to keep current on the subject.

when you know enough about a subject to make use of it…or teach it

@talljasperman Nah. Lotsa people know enough about their subject to work in it – it doesn’t even make them any good let alone experts. As for teachers, well, don’t get me started. So many of them are neither experts in their field, nor any good at passing on the information. Sadly.

I have to completely disagree with you – but send you lurve anyway.