Remember the expression, “Hey Joe. What da ya know?” It was considered a great conversation starter back in the day. That’s because tapping into someone’s knowledge was considered more than just entertaining. It’s how we used to learn when people relied upon discussion.
Ever heard the expression, “She’s a ten?” The popular system for rating beauty? We commonly use a scale to describe people’s appearance, and this something-out-of-ten system can be used for all sorts of things. Take for example, intelligence. The smart—those good at learning—are commonly referred to as a 7. And those who know a great deal about a certain area are considered an 8. Unfortunately there’s a problem with 8s, they don’t know everything.
I’m not talking about regular folk. We’re both 7s and 8s. On some topics we know a great deal and on others we don’t. It depends. For example, take day jobs. Once you spend 10,000 hours at an occupation, you pretty much know it. Same goes for hobbies and interests. And most can identify with their areas of expertise. But in our world, doctors don’t proclaim to know carpentry and carpenters don’t profess to be plumbers. We’re quite humble in this regard. The problem is with people on TV.
Intellectuals
We’re being subjected to authorities in one area commenting on matters in another, and it’s getting ridiculous. You might be a great historian or master in law, but that doesn’t make you an expert on economics. And sure, these people are smart but they speak on non-qualified areas with the same certitude as those involving their expertise. It’s crazy.
You can’t blame them. Imagine the rush of addressing an Oxford audience, answering questions on climate change, international trade, and your analysis of Trump. The ego surge must be irresistible. But the audience needs to know one thing. When people fully understand a subject, they struggle to filter down knowledge, speak slowly, and remain calm. It’s only when you haven’t a clue that one blurts out nonsense with messiah-like ease. And there’s a reason for that.
Simplification bias
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman says, “The human mind suppresses uncertainty. We’re not only convinced we know more than we do but we figure what we don’t know is unimportant.” So it’s not only experts, it’s us too.
The problem is in the brain. Unfortunately, we need to hold an opinion on just about everything to maintain sanity. That’s why we start with observations that are simple. “Liberals are like this, Christians are like that,” until we grow into a sophistication that makes us slow down. Then, and only then, are we ready for the microphone.
Not everyone can dunk
To make matters worse, not every mind is suited for every discipline. For example, it takes 27 trades to build a house. That’s before architecture, sales, and interior design. We’re all specialists. Sure electricians and plumbers are close—they can probably talk—but designers are on a different page. So there’s a natural disposition. Meaning, 7s can’t be an 8 at everything.
This condition is common in politics. Many great lawyers are inept at understanding business. That’s why it takes so many officials to screw in a light bulb. But if you think about it, it’s the same when building a home. In the end, listening to experts is like eating chicken: one must separate meat from the bone. It’s not like experts don’t know anything. But things would be a whole lot better if they’d disclose what they did and were humble about the rest. Because when you’re considered a professional, it’s all about “What da ya know?”