What's an 'expert'?

[Oeditpus Rex]

There're people who think I'm an expert on Monty Python — something I'd never seriously claim because I know of people who can out-Python me to humiliation. But I got to thinking last night, you see "experts" on teevee all the time, on the news and in documentaries and stuff, and I'm wondering what qualifies them as such? How does one market expertise?

Guess y'gotta write a book or somethin', huh? x(

[mike_c]

1. someone who isn't pert anymore...?

Gravity, and all that.

[BarenakedLady]

2. Me

About everything and anything.

:P

[Hugin]

4. What little you don't know...

I do.

So, everything is covered.

[BarenakedLady]

5. Yes

I believe we make a perfect team. :)

[Hugin]

6. !

:thumbsup:

[BarenakedLady]

12. What shall we do next? I wonder.

:shrug:

[Hugin]

14. It's a hard life... Being an 'expert'.

When you're at the top.

[BarenakedLady]

20. true that

:}

[Hugin]

3. Or a screen-play.

Here's a suggestion: Start adding many alphabet letters after your name.

[Call Me Wesley]

7. I bought my 'Expert Diploma' over the internets.

And so can you! PM me with your credit card number, and you're an expert tomorrow!

Think about surprising your friends, family, colleagues, when you say, "I know it. I am an expert on it and I have a diploma!"

[billyskank]

8. The people I like best are analysts

When you're an 'analyst' you can say whatever you like, all the time, and get paid handsomely for it. It doesn't matter if everything you say turns out to be wrong, indeed this seems to be a good thing. Nobody will ever call you on it. What a fantastic job!

[Call Me Wesley]

9. I bought my 'Analyst Diploma' over the internets.

And so can you! PM me with your credit card number, and you're an analyst tomorrow!

Think about surprising your friends, family, colleagues, when you say, "I know it. I am an analyst on it and I have a diploma!"

[billyskank]

16. Can I get a job on cable news with it?

:D

[Call Me Wesley]

31. Of course!

Remember the taxi driver who was on tv as an internet expert? This could be YOU!

Uhh, wait a second. You're credit card has expired. Do you have another one?

:rofl:

[BarenakedLady]

10. i'm going to analyze you

I may be asleep at the time, but I will just the same.

[billyskank]

17. I think

there is some naughtiness buried in there somewhere. ;)

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

21. who me?

O8)

[billyskank]

25. Look at that innocent face

Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. You're as bad as 'pie. :D

[BarenakedLady]

28. who me?

edit for really crappy photo

[billyskank]

30. Damn!

I missed the really crappy photo! x(

[BarenakedLady]

34. Yup

check you pm for my old freaking face. WTH was I thinking sending that you you anyway?

[billyskank]

38. Please...

old. :eyes:

[BarenakedLady]

39. Again!

with the rolling of the eyes at me.

:spank: :spank: :spank:

[billyskank]

40. Again

with the spanking. :D

[BarenakedLady]

42. Well I would

tickle you into submission but you are too far away. :(

[billyskank]

43. Eeep!

[Hugin]

13. A 'Pundit' is another good one...

Can never have enough pundits... It would seem. :eyes:

[billyskank]

18. Oh yes

Pundits come in two varieties: sport pundits and current affairs pundits. The former actually do need to know about their subject, indeed they are expected to have an encyclopaedic knowledge. Current affairs pundits, on the other hand, are not required to know their arses from their elbows. Doing so may even be a disadvantage.

[Oeditpus Rex]

15. How would one analyse Monty Python?

:shrug:

[billyskank]

19. Monty Python isn't meant to be analysed

because most of it doesn't make any sense. It is a mistake to assume it does. :)

[Oeditpus Rex]

23. Pants

Now you tell me.

The book I've been thinking of writing would do exactly that.

:banghead:

[billyskank]

24. Unless it is meant to be a humorous book

in which case I would say go for it, because it can often be funny to analyse something that is nonsensical.

[Oeditpus Rex]

26. Well...

The title I thought of is "Whither Python?" :shrug:

[billyskank]

29. I think it is funny

not funny ha, ha, but just funny, how a programme so quintessentially British as Monty Python's Flying Circus should use for its theme music a piece of marching band music by John Philip Sousa, which is probably about as American as you can get.

[Oeditpus Rex]

32. I hadn't thought of that

The book (which at this point is merely an idea flopping about) would address reasons Python attracts such maniacal fans even nearly 40 years after its inception. It might also go into a sort of geographic distribution of said fans, as it's been my observation that Americans are by far the real Python maniacs. I don't know if this is because Brits are simply used to this sort of comedy or what.

It would, of course, be funny by default. How can one talk about, say, musicians exploding while playing "The Blue Danube" and not be funny?

[billyskank]

36. My own unscientific observation

is that there are more Python fans here, and of greater passion, than I have ever known amongst my Britis friends.

[miss_american_pie]

35. Consultants

Same deal. :hi:

[billyskank]

37. Yeah I want that job

:hi:

[ohiosmith]

11. an expert is someone from out of town with a briefcase who charges by the hour

[trof]

27. Bingo. AKA 'consultant'.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. An expert is a person who knows much about the subject; but recognizes

how much more there is to learn.

[begin_within]

33. "An ex is a has-been, and a spurt is a drip under pressure."

[BarenakedLady]

41. I'd buy your book in a heartbeat!

I have a chair with one leg shorter than the others, it drives me bonkers.

:P