You make such a good point, Peter. I have found myself doing the “as a scientist” maneuver during the Covid hysteria because the “listen to the experts” mantra is thrown in my (and everyone’s) face so much, and I always hate having done it. I think we have let this creeping credentialism (great term) invade our debate so much, it’s hard to get away from it. It takes immense confidence to present an argument, on which you have expertise, and refrain from pulling out credentials when the only counter the other side has is what their sister’s cousin’s friend who is an *insert field of expertise* told them. But we’d all be better at polite debate if we did that!
I try to refrain as much as possible from citing my CV or personal “expertise” credentials until I’m challenged on that basis. Some people simply don’t care to consider an idea or point on its merits. It is unfortunately part of the sandbox we play in nowadays. Best we can do is recognize it and do as you do.
You make such a good point, Peter. I have found myself doing the “as a scientist” maneuver during the Covid hysteria because the “listen to the experts” mantra is thrown in my (and everyone’s) face so much, and I always hate having done it. I think we have let this creeping credentialism (great term) invade our debate so much, it’s hard to get away from it. It takes immense confidence to present an argument, on which you have expertise, and refrain from pulling out credentials when the only counter the other side has is what their sister’s cousin’s friend who is an *insert field of expertise* told them. But we’d all be better at polite debate if we did that!
I try to refrain as much as possible from citing my CV or personal “expertise” credentials until I’m challenged on that basis. Some people simply don’t care to consider an idea or point on its merits. It is unfortunately part of the sandbox we play in nowadays. Best we can do is recognize it and do as you do.
Thanks for reading!