Do you really need to announce your credentials for your view to be taken seriously?

[BerylStreep]

I haven't noticed it much before, but it seems that on quite a few of the threads I have read recently, people feel compelled to cite their credentials in order for their view to be taken more seriously (or to try to 'top' anyone who is disagreeing with them).

In the last week alone I have read things like:

Well actually, I have a degree in history & economics and therefore know everything there is to know about the subject.

I have been a practising lawyer for the last 15 years and therefore my opinion on everything legal is correct.

Yes, in fact, I was privately educated from the ages of 3-18 - in, I believe, the top girls' school in the country.

I have the last word on all DV issues because my Mum started a women's refuge.

Maybe it is just the types of threads I have been reading, which turn into bunfights. Now I come to think about it, I haven't seen too much of it on Style & Beauty.

There are times when I am on a thread, and I have a good knowledge on the subject, either professionally or through educational qualifications, but I have never felt the need to announce to MN what that professional experience or qualifications are.

Is it just me?

To be fair, frequently on threads people are knowledgeable on the subject purely because their mums mates friend says so.

It can be important to distinguish this from people who actually know what they are talking about except of course this is the internet and anyone can make up any credentials they like

There are some posters who I see quite regularly, and they give really wise, insightful advice, and they have never had to resort to saying 'well my opinion is better, because I have a degree in ?.' because they don't need to, IYSWIM? Their knowledge speaks for itself.

There are times when it is relevant, for example teachers always say they are teachers on education threads.

I dunno, it's just something I have noticed more of recently.

Haven't noticed.

And I'm an Online Media Consultant, so I would know.

I did once enjoy reading a thread in which a poster was puffing off her credentials, whilst posting something I knew to be wrong. Especially when one of the real (never self-proclaims, just posts helpful and accurately) pointed out flaws.

That's not very nice of me, is it? But the morals of the story are: you don't know who anyone is in cyberspace; sometimes empty vessels make most noise; and the real experts are known in their areas by their track record.

There are a couple of regular posters who may be narcissisitc,and therefore have to "beat" at everything.Not sure if they would be the ones you are talking about.
Also,like you say,knowing teachers are teachers is helpful,and I think the same thing is relevant on a few other forums.
But no,apart from that,I cannot see the need to post those sort of things.

Tee. Precisely.

I saw one of those 'I am qualified and know more than you' examples you cite. It made me . I always find it a bit weird. I mean, I'm trying to about to complete my PhD and I am absolutely certain that it doesn't make me an expert in my area. I know too much about what I don't know about it.

If someone said " Anyone's DC gone to an American university? can you help?" I might step in and say "I've been at an American university for 7 years, what do you need to know?" but I think waving potentially fake certificates around is a bit daft. Knowledge doesn't immediately bestow authority, if it does, it should be because knowledge is authoritatively dispersed by the knowledgeable. The credential-assertion thing has always seemed like a grab for an authority which is nonetheless elusive.

I think there are times it is better to show that you know what you're on about. Or that you don't

I am not a lawyer, so if I post on threads that are talking law, I say so. I wouldn't want anyone to think I know more than I do. I make it very clear I am a layman and any opinion I may give is just based on what I think I'd do in that situation, or stuff I've read that may be similar etc. The flipside of that is someone who IS a lawyer and who DOES know the exact law, rather than a grasp of it, or something they've read, would say so.

I do however, have two children with autism and have spent a LOT of time researching it, and dealing with various LEAs and getting Statements etc, so in a discussion about that, I would probably say so, so that people knew I wasn't talking out of my arse but did in fact have some relevant experience to draw on.

It doesn't make you right, it doesn't make you an expert on whatever topic, but there is a difference between knowing and assuming. Between having experience and having an opinion and I don't think there's anything wrong with making it clear where you are.

Of course, simply SAYING you are such and such doesn't make it so, so people shouldn't take anything as gospel.

Well I have said this in the past few days but if I hadn't then you might be wondering why I was such an interfering busybody stopping people having fun at a fete and then quoting Best Practice guides like a real anorak....

I find it useful when people say what their experience is. When I read threads about stuff I actually know about, I often think that some people spout a whole lot of crap while others seem to be talking from a position of knowledge. So when I read threads about stuff I don't know anything about, I find it useful when pointers are given (e.g. I work in this area) that some views are likely to be more informed than others.

I post my credentials all the time.

I happily announce that my expertise is in teenagers, and that I know exactly (through personal experience) how to do it all entirely wrong .

Working on the principle that people can learn from my many and spectacular mistakes.

I find that the real experts will say things like "I work in family law, and in your case I would advise you to start by ... BUT I don't know your circumstances so you should get proper legal advice". Same with medical advice - the people who know their stuff will tell you to get rl help as well.

As Hecate says, there is plenty of expertise on the SN boards - but everyone there will freely admit to being an expert on their own child only, so although they are great for giving advice on things like school and filling in forms, the vast majority of them are also happy to take advice.

I don't trust anyone who says "my way is right and is the only way and I'm the expert".

I've noticed this hapening, its not in a "Oh I'm a lawyer I can answer that for you' type way. It's nit mentioned at first, then, after a few posts, and if anyone disagrees with them then it's " Well I am a lawyer, you know, I think I might have some idea of what I'm talking about".

Coco - exactly! It's not in a helpful way, it's in a shouty down 'I AM MORE QUALIFIED AND MUST THEREFORE BE MORE RIGHT THAN YOU' way.

ObviouslyItsTheOlympics - I don't think I have been on any threads with you lately. No need to be paranoid.

It's more so in the bunfight threads.

I must go looking for the lentil weavers, I bet it doesn't happen there.

Oooh hello! I often post my credentials, sorry! But I am a lawyer and people are often told, apparently, that they can't get help when they ought to be able to. But I agree that, regardless of an advisor's credentials, rl help and advice is essential. It is v hard to get the full picture on here of someone's circumstances and I would always tell someone to get rl help, but can also hopefully signpost them in the right direction.

I'm guilty. I was on a thread when someone else posted credentials, I disagreed, so I posted saying why and explaining mine, to demonstrate her view wasn't exclusive to people with credentials.

But I did that to argue you're not necessarily right just because you're qualified, or even, people who're all qualified in the same way don't all agree.

It's up to you how you take it, TBH, because you can't know who's lying and who's not.

Btw, I do find it useful when other people do it .... why is this in site stuff, anyway?

I do point out that I am a health journalist from time to time. Admittedly this is sometimes to substantiate my point that Cake is A Major Food Group.

I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with your point, motherinferior.

In actuality Cake and Wine are Major Food Groups.

I don't care if you're an expert.

Wine is froot, innit. A Health Drink.

Ah, there's your expertise coming through!

Also I will cite the expertise of people whom I have interviewed.

YANBU. This is the internet so even if someone insists they have qualifications/experience it might not be true anyway - you never know.

I just like reading discussions/debate and will enjoy (or not) a post if it is intelligent, well-worded and clear. If I need more facts about the topic I will check them out for myself rather than relying on someone else on a messageboard.

BTW when you said "credentials" in the thread title I thought you meant when people reel of a string of MN buzzwords as if that makes their opinion more valid :o

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