I love Walter Williams, and he’s on target today. Check out his brilliant townhall.com column, “Can We Trust the Experts?”
https://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2018/07/25/can-we-trust-experts-n2502775
Dr. Williams has collected a little treasure chest full of some of the most tomfool things “the experts” have ever said about a variety of subjects. I think my favorite is the prediction that “the horse is here to stay” and automobiles are just a fad.
The problem with experts is that an expert in one field may, or may not have any sense whatsoever in another field. Actors and musicians may be experts as entertainers, but that doesn’t make them experts in politics. Computer experts are notorious for being all but helpless when it comes to interpersonal skills, which is one reason that certain software, like WordPress, can be frustrating to work with; the people whom created it don’t think like the end users, and I suspect that many of these programmers disrespect the end users.
So, onto William’s column which is, as usual for him, quite good. The US was designed to be governed by common people, experts need not apply. The idea of a citizen-leader was to have leaders capable of understanding the concerns of average citizens. Benjamin Franklin was a Printer and proud of his trade to the day he died.
We have a lot of politicians of humble origin in our history, even the well-educated Daniel Webster was raised on a farm. Lincoln’s modest background and lack of formal education are legendary, and he was one of the greatest leaders in our nation’s history.
This talk of experts brings to mind an expert of no fame whatsoever. He was a man that worked in the Signal Corps in WW II and supported his family fixing typewriters and adding machines in a small shop next to his modest home. When microelectronic devices came along his business became all but obsolete, so he branched out into all sorts of micro-businesses, engraved signs, office supplies, etc. all in an area of low population density. Basically, he ran a route selling office supplies to people in tiny towns who had no local sources. He finished his days operating micro businesses and making an adequate living by serving the needs of others. He truly was an expert, in the business of life.
I mention him, because the things I learned from him along the way have informed me in work, business, and in life lessons. His expertise was in adapting to life’s changing conditions and I find that more valuable than the advice from famed experts who cannot relate to everyday human activities.
As Bayard Rustin once said, “There are a lot of stupid smart people.” Which I think is what college is all about, these days.
Amen, amen!
I love Walter Williams. I wish he received more exposure on the conservative shows. He used to substitute for Rush a lot, but not any more. But wait, he smokes cigarettes which isn’t PC so we had better not believe anything he says. 🙂
Yeah, he’s great on radio. But maybe he’s just too busy to do it often.