Reply #30: Typically I have only seen this/done this myself [View All]

[distantearlywarning]

When forced to by an opponent who knows literally *nothing* about a subject and demands that I provide proof of why my "opinion" is more valid than his/hers.

I put the word "opinion" in quotes above because the typical assertion in that sort of discussion goes like this: "My OPINION is just as valid as yours", disregarding the fact that many things in the universe are fact rather than opinion, and therefore only one side of some discussions are actually correct, regardless of how strongly someone feels about their particular viewpoint.

And yes, people with advanced degrees in a particular field DO often know more about that field than your average internet poster with a layperson's knowledge.

And frankly, I suspect anyone who claims otherwise is buying into the anti-intellectualism that is currently rampant in our society (and sadly, on DU also).

P.S. I'm not lying. If other people choose to disbelieve what I say about myself because believing would force them to reconsider their "opinions", well, that's something I can't do anything about. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.