what is authority? (expertise)

10 Responses to “what is authority? (expertise)”

1. Amber on February 27th, 2008

   It’s a difficult question, and I don’t think there’s one across-the-board answer.

   You had lots of good examples in your post, but this one in particular drives the point home, I think:

   Or how about someone who writes about sex work? They’ve never done any sex work themselves, yet they’ve spent years researching and talking to a variety of sex workers all over the world and even lived with a few for brief periods of time. They come as close to the experience as they can without doing it. Some say their remove from the subject makes them more credible than someone who is living it. Does their extensive research make them more more of an authority than a girl who, ten years ago, danced for a few months in a peep show in San Francisco?

   This just goes to show why I think questions of authority really have to be taken on a case-by-case basis. The girl who danced for a few months in SF 10 years ago will be an expert on her own experience, obviously; but if that was her only contact w/ the industry, she’s probably not the best source to go to for information about broader questions of sex work. The researcher doesn’t have direct experience, which will always be a bit of a red flag, I think; but should the former dancer automatically be granted greater authority? In this situation, I don’t think she should.

   Of course, it’s also not a pissing contest, but the fact of the matter is, many if not most of us understand the world in terms of “more” or “less” of this, that, or the other thing.

   I don’t know where I’m going with this comment… I guess my point is just that I have as many questions about “authority” and “expertise” as you do!

2. virginialily on February 27th, 2008

   I am the authority…

   on all things *me*

   Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

   But seriously, it makes me think of how many child psychologists have no children (my sister in law for example) and how many marriage counselors are single or divorced..lol

   I don’t think any of us can be an expert on anything but our own life and experiences and what then if we bump our head and get amnesia??

   Then we are SOL on a good title shot;(

   Sorry Amanda, giddy night for me tonight…but hope I at least made ya smirk;)

   Lil;)

3. Being Amber Rhea » Blog Archive » links for 2008-02-28 on February 28th, 2008

   [...] what is authority? (expertise) – After Hours| random discourse from a retired escort “It’s a question I’ve often had internal debates about. Who is considered an authority? And this ties into the back-and-forth over my last post.” Amanda raises some really good questions here. (tags: authority interesting debate) [...]

4. Amanda Brooks on February 29th, 2008

   Amber,

   Yes, it’s really hard to determine who is an “authority” sometimes. I sure don’t have any answers. People that I consider an authority on a given topic may not always be ones that others chose.

   It seems so personal, but then the media comes into play too. I’ve wondered about the media frenzy over some people who have thin experiences (at best) while others have written books on the same topic that I liked a lot and expanded my knowledge. One example would be the amount of attention Melissa Farley has gotten vs Laura Agustin (misspelling, I’m sure).

   It’s not an easy answer. I’ve wondered about this my whole life and still am not any further along in the process.

   Lily,

   I’m the authority on me too! We’re THE authority on two different people!

   But you bring up another kind of tangled point — when does someone expand their authority beyond themselves? If you want to accomplish something, you have to gain authority beyond yourself (even if it’s to become the manager of a restaurant — you need to understand the jobs everyone else has to do). Speaking on a larger scale, when does someone became an authority on big issues?

   The news article I referenced sees Hillary as an authority on particular women’s issues. Is she? Is she more of an authority than the researchers whose work she quotes? Why aren’t they considered the authority? Or does her broad focus make her more of an authority than a researcher who only knows one particular subject?

   I don’t expect you to have an answer, but your comment raised some great questions.

   XX

5. Lily Of VA on March 1st, 2008

   I think we end up with a LOT of categories for a LOT of experts;)

   If only everything had guidelines, but then, the world would be a boring and honest place;)

   Lil;)

6. Amanda Brooks on March 2nd, 2008

   Lily,

   We do have a TON of “experts” out there, some of whom don’t seem to know very much at all. Which makes me wonder how they got the title and how they keep their “expert” status.

   XX

7. gillette on March 12th, 2008

   This makes me think of that saying that goes something like “people become Teachers of what they want to learn.”

   I’m thinking that people only “become” “authorities” when someone gives that to them. I don’t give it out very often.

   I think a healthy mind questions everything in front of it….and inside it, too, for that matter. I question lots; in fact, most.

   I define Truth as that which cannot be argued. If that’s the case, then there’s very little Truth in the world except personal experience.

   Great post. Thanks.

8. Amanda Brooks on March 12th, 2008

   Gillette,

   There’s a lot of truth in “people become Teachers of what they want to learn.” And you’re right, not much absolute truth except personal experience.

   But I don’t like the idea of “authority” being conferred by some mysterious other, especially in cases like flawed research of sex work being taken at face value and not questioned. Even fairly little things like this snowball into much larger problems — mostly because people DON’T think and question.

   XX

9. rex weaver on March 24th, 2008

   an expert in my book is one who’s been there, done that ,and has the T-shirt. thinking about the priest who gives marriage councling based on training, reading, and observation. never has been in the trrenches, is he an expert?
   george washington was given command of the contential army because he was tall and looked good in uniform. never commanded troops in combat. his first real battle in brooklyn was a complete diaster, but he looked good and providence was on his side. everyone knows the rest of the story. gw prevailed and bacame a very able commander. point is here are no experts the first time out. read and reseasrch all you want. until you’ve done it, you are just an observer.

   rex

10. Amanda Brooks on March 25th, 2008

    Rex,

    I believe in the experience angle myself, with rare exception (we kind of have to trust a doctor’s advice in most cases). BUT, the problem is that many times, people overlook those with experience in favor of those making the most noise or the most popular. This seems to be a real problem with the media these days.

    XX