Why is everyone suddenly an expert? (Even when they’re not)
May 21, 2024
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Tom Nichols, writer for The Atlantic, discusses the rise of non-expert experts due to conspiracy theories and disinformation, emphasizing the need for reliable information. He explores the challenges experts face in a polarized world during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of humility and seeking advice from knowledgeable individuals.
Trust in experts is crucial amidst the rise of non-expert opinions fueled by conspiracy theories.
Higher education faces a dilemma between treating students as adults or pandering to their emotional needs.
Deep dives
The Importance of Expertise and Elitism
Rejecting expertise leads to societal issues where emotions might overshadow facts. Tom Nichols highlights the significance of expertise in various professions. He emphasizes the need for trust in experts' knowledge and experience, challenging the prevalent culture of prioritizing emotions over facts.
Challenges in Higher Education and Infantilization
Tom Nichols criticizes how American universities pander to students, focusing on marketing experiences rather than education. He notes a shift towards treating students as permanent pandemic people, resulting in a regression away from adulthood on campuses. The tension between treating students as adults or children contributes to a challenging dynamic in higher education.
Decisive Impacts of Pandemics and Expert Missteps
During pandemics, divisive responses and lack of clear communication from health experts can contribute to misinformation. Tom Nichols discusses how public backlash and polarization further complicate the handling of pandemics. He highlights the detrimental effects of political influences on scientific decision-making and the importance of questioning and trusting experts despite challenges.
Conspiracy theorists and disinformation around issues such as the Coid-19 pandemic have created an army of non-expert experts around the world. With the advancement of AI and social media dominating people’s lives, properly researched information from trusted sources is needed now more than ever. But has society already gone too far? Tom Nichols is a writer for The Atlantic and the author of “The Death of Expertise: The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters”, and joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker.
Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.