Pipe and tobacco experts: Are there any?: Difference between revisions

Pipe and tobacco experts: Are there any? (view source)

Revision as of 20:03, 7 June 2023

No change in size , 10 months ago

no edit summary

Sethile

Bureaucrats, Administrators

23,094

edits

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 This is a rather novel story not meant to designate specific individuals for attaboys, accolades, or public praise for their knowledge. It is a hypothesis-generating survey to determine who and how someone is qualified to be considered an expert in either pipes or tobacco, based on the narrowest definition of the term. On whom should one rely for their knowledge and advice, especially if one is new to the pleasure and enjoyment of pipe smoking? Asked slightly differently, whose opinion, judgment, or views on these two interrelated topics should one accept and trust?
-The fundamental question is how does one become an expert at anything? Is it exposure or experience? Is there a yardstick by which someone demonstrates that he is an expert in the field of tobacco and pipes? Or Is it merely the presumption of knowledge that is the sole determinant of someone’s expertise? And at what point does a person transition from being merely good at something to being a bona-fide expert? Unlike a personal property appraiser who undergoes a formal education, takes an exam, and applies for a license, there is no test, no certification process, no online courses, no industry guidelines, no metrics or measures of merit to become an expert. Knowledge doesn’t necessarily make someone an expert. After all, anyone can memorize facts or regurgitate information. Too many questions, too few answers.
+The fundamental question is how does one become an expert at anything? Is it exposure or experience? Is there a yardstick by which someone demonstrates that he is an expert in the field of tobacco and pipes? Or is it merely the presumption of knowledge that is the sole determinant of someone’s expertise? And at what point does a person transition from being merely good at something to being a bona-fide expert? Unlike a personal property appraiser who undergoes a formal education, takes an exam, and applies for a license, there is no test, no certification process, no online courses, no industry guidelines, no metrics or measures of merit to become an expert. Knowledge doesn’t necessarily make someone an expert. After all, anyone can memorize facts or regurgitate information. Too many questions, too few answers.
 First, the obligatory definitions: Expert: “a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.” Comprehensive: “Having or exhibiting wide mental grasp, comprehensive knowledge.” Authoritative: “Able to be trusted as being accurate or true.” Knowledge, skill, and achievement in a particular field seem to be the generally accepted determinants, all critical components of expertise. People who attain this level of expertise may be called experts or by other terms, such as authority, genius, maven, master, prodigy, or virtuoso. Others identify expertise by five stages of knowledge growth: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. Dan Schwabel offered, “7 Signs That You Are Now An Expert And Can Call Yourself One” (socialmediatoday.com). (Former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese is quoted as having jokingly said: “An expert is somebody who is more than 50 miles from home, has no responsibility for implementing the advice he gives, and shows slides.”)