The Gray Area with Sean Illing Michael Lewis on why Americans distrust experts
5 snips
Apr 18, 2022 
Michael Lewis, best-selling author known for insightful works like "Moneyball," dives into America's expert problem. He discusses why we struggle to recognize and trust genuine expertise, linking this issue to recent crises, including the pandemic. Lewis highlights the undervaluation of experts in various fields, from medicine to analytics, and examines the erosion of trust in institutions. He also explores potential pathways for rebuilding this trust and valuing diverse perspectives, pushing for greater appreciation of overlooked expertise in society.
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Overlooked Expertise
- During the pandemic, highly qualified experts were often overlooked.
- Charity Dean, an expert in communicable diseases, wasn't utilized effectively despite her expertise.
Squandering Expertise
- America excels at creating knowledge and expertise but struggles to apply it effectively.
- This makes us appear less intelligent than we should be, given our resources.
Weatherman woes
- Meteorologist James Spann's forecasting accuracy improved over time.
- Yet, public grievances increased due to a misunderstanding of probabilistic forecasting.
