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?

See? Definitely helpful.

Cake, lovely lovely cake.

I feel the same about people who put their profession in their user name...or worse...their PARTNERS!

LittleVicarsWife

TheResearchScientist

ShopAssistantInPoundland Never see that one do we??

This from a person who wants me to be intimate with their embroidery hoop?

I am really careful about being quiet about any 'credentials'. I don't have many tbh.
But it's very tempting to yowl five kids, twenty years parenting experience and a early years specialist developmental professional!!!!!!!
When some twat is lecturing me on biting being. 'learned behaviour' or potty training at 12mth being easy.
Mind you it's far more lip biting on other forums than on here.

Tell me about it kiss. That MrsKeithRichards* just boasts so. Why can't she make up a name like everyone else?

ShopAssistantInPoundland

Ha! Now there's my next username :o

I have no creds at all. However on a thread once Usualsuspect posted that she was a GP (grandparent) and you've guessed it... I thought she was a Dr and was just about to regale her with me ailments .

I suppose it's hard if you know that someone is wrong, not to shout it from the rooftop.

Oooo never trust those who flaunt certificates and qualifications. They mean nothing compared to experience and wisdom. I did my exams years ago and they taught me precisely fuck all. But I've got lots of pretty letters after my name. Which I never use. Ever. So, I must be an expert. QED.

wine is indeed a fruit. And cake can be your five a day

lemon drizzle cake
carrot cake
blueberry muffins
cherry cake
banana cake...

Cake as your five a day? Interesting...

Well if you want to know anything on fucked up parenting...I'm your gel!

Oh yes.

Orange aero also counts as one of your 5

Here's a question, if you eat the new choc orange shreddies, does that count as part of your 5 a day?

oh yes. If you have a big bowl, it's two.

Except I think it sounds nasty. So I guess that's out...

Evening. And apols that we haven't replied to this one till now.

In response to the OP's question, we don't have experts on MN (apart from the odd one we invite to hold a officially signposted webchat or Q&A). This is a site where you can seek and receive peer-to-peer support, not expert advice.

We may well have many MNers who are experts in particular areas but we don't check anyone's qualifications or endorse anyone's advice.

So, while it's perfectly possible that the poster declaring they're an expert in paleolithic artifacts is indeed an expert in paleolithic artifacts, they could equally be a 12-year-old in Peckham with nothing but a few hours to kill and a passing acquaintance with Wikipedia.

Which all means that, while we see the most amazing, deeply insightful/hugely wise/knowledge-laden posts on MN every day, no one should really give any one poster's posts more weight than any other's.

And, of course, no poster should think that "flashing their (unchecked) credentials" will mean they can win all the arguments give their posts more weight than anyone else's.

And yes, chocolate orange definitely at least one of your five a day

I am deeply impressed by the quality of 12 year olds in Peckam, then.

Are you an expert in that area, Hellenic?

Oi, Helen, check yer RL emails - am trying to get hold of you!

Oooh but but but there is a fossilised hippo tooth from Peckham in the Museum of London. This is Actual Fact.

@LRDtheFeministDragon

I am deeply impressed by the quality of 12 year olds in Peckam, then.

Are you an expert in that area, Hellenic?

No but a world-acknowledged expert on the interpretation of 14-year-old surly grunts in norf London....

That is pretty cool, MI.

Hellenic - a crucial skill. I can contribute a deep knowledge of what a naice middle-class boy sounds like when trying to pretend he's from East London. Bless his little heart.

That's bless his little heart, innit.

Like obvs.

(Told you was an expert)

Never. EVER. speak like that again. I'm embarrassed for you!