What makes an expert?

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GyradosOwner

GyradosOwner

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2014
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Okay, so I have been new to this site and just exploring a lot, looking at forums, etc. Now, I am not a fish expert but have done an extensive bit of research/conversations with trained biologists, etc. and must ask what really gives anybody on this site a decent set of authority. I mean, please forgive me if I sound condescending but what is the advantage of trusting "redneck bill" more than just Googling results? Some things I have seen are downright wrong. So, I guess my question is not to downplay the admins, but just see everybody's level of experience. I understand that communities are how you share info and grow in knowledge and discuss- I just wanted to post to make myself a bit more visible Hope to engage a bit. :grinno:
 
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GyradosOwner said:
Okay, so I have been new to this site and just exploring a lot, looking at forums, etc. Now, I am not a fish expert but have done an extensive bit of research/conversations with trained biologists, etc. and must ask what really gives anybody on this site a decent set of authority. I mean, please forgive me if I sound condescending but what is the advantage of trusting "redneck bill" more than just Googling results? Some things I have seen are downright wrong. So, I guess my question is not to downplay the admins, but just see everybody's level of experience. I understand that communities are how you share info and grow in knowledge and discuss- I just wanted to post to make myself a bit more visible Hope to engage a bit. :grinno:
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I forgive you for sounding condescending. A biologist is a person who studies biology, which doesn't make them an expert in captive care of animals. many of the folks here are people with expertise in husbandry gained from personal successes and failures as well as knowledge gained through the successes and failures of others. Some posts will be wrong, as will many google results, but the overall picture and current knowledge available through a community such as this makes it superior for finding the best answer to many questions.


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i would not have some one that read allot about doing heart surgery operating on my heart. nothing beats phisicle experience. folks that have kept fish for long term successfully already know the water/filter science, i know oscars, jags, plecos and cats. other folks no other types of fish by keeping them. Am i an expert? not by any means, i do know what fish i keep.
 
Welcome to MFK.

To me, experts would be the leaders in a certain field based on actual hands on time involved, tasks accomplished and new understandings uncovered.

I understand what you are getting at, though. The up side to a group like this vs Google is that these guys and girls are all focused on fish fact instead of just fish info that might not come from a fish person. Last week I was told a bunch of shark info from a guy who claimed to know alot. Further into the conversation, I found out he had never actually kept a shark, nor delt with them in any respect. He had read about them online (and sadly from a source that was very incorrect with it's info). The reason it caught my attention is that he was speaking negatively about a very specific shark display, and telling me how bad it was. Ironically, I was well aware of the exhibit - it was one I designed specifically for sharks. He had a bunch of bad info on it, then added some more of his own that he fabricated. He never took the time to look into it further prior to making a judgement, but instead spread more bad info.

The best thing to do is absorb as much info as possible and use your own judgement based on what you learn. There are more than one "right" way to do things in many cases. Find out what works and what doesn't from people who have been doing it the longest.

One of the reasons I love MFK is because I fully trust many of the members here to give you 100% info in the areas they specialize in. There are many "experts" in various sections, you just have to take the time to read and find out who they are. It quickly becomes clear the old timers vs the members who are just starting out. Everyone has something to learn, and everyone has something to offer.
 
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yikes!, well said Zoo, much better than I could have or did. :)
 
There r a number of experts here each has his area of expertise or lack therof, Duanes good with non mainstream cichlids, fugupuff is good with puffers, etc I mostly stay around pond and ecosystem management with emphasis on fish u can catch on rods. But keep in mind that each has his area of expertise, and some r more advanced than others, for example would u want a heart surgeon to do your brain surgery? Always get at least a second opinion when possible.
 
An expert is somebody who has made all the mistakes in a narrow field.

There are many people here who know water chemistry and how to keep fish, i for example am a novice but i know a fair bit from all the experienced people here and i trust it when it is mentioned a lot.

Listen to the big guys most, one day i will have the age, space and money to keep the fish i want and be an expert on those.

Make your own deductions from what you think is good advice
 
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Frank Castle said:
An expert will never say they are an expert.....



everyone else will say it for them.
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That. I would say we have a few experts and many many novices. We all know what we are doing. Some know a few more things than others
 
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