Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot. — Anonymous

What does it take to become an expert in something? What does it take to convince others you are an expert? Formal education? A certain number of years working in a field? Reading enough books? Memorizing sound bites and talking points from others?

Many people seem to find it easy to speak authoritatively on a variety of topics. Political pundits and politicians throw out simple solutions to major economic problems like the budget deficit or Social Security. Every fall we hear football fans criticize the coaches, players, and officials from the weekend’s games. Strangers offer unsolicited advice to pregnant women and new mothers at the grocery store. Religious protesters carry signs at funerals and courthouses to defend their interpretations of Scripture.

In some cases, the people involved actually know what they’re talking about, providing a legitimate expert opinion. Perhaps the politician was an economics professor prior to joining Congress, or the Monday morning quarterback spent twenty years coaching college football. But as you’ve surely seen, it’s just as easy, if not easier, for people to throw around their opinions when they don’t really have a clue.

I’ve done it. I’ll bet you’ve done it, too. It makes us feel good to have people listen to our opinions, founded or unfounded. It helps keep the conversation moving when different people can offer different views with conviction. Saying “I don’t know enough on that topic to have an opinion” doesn’t produce an interesting debate. But in many situations, it’s a much more honest response.

I think the world is much too complex for anyone to be a true expert on more than a few topics. We rarely know as much as we think we know or pretend to know. One of my pet peeves is know-it-alls who love to show off their knowledge and have passionate opinions on everything based primarily on a few talking points they heard from some so-called expert. One of the reasons I like to blog is the opportunity to explore new ideas with all of you without having to pretend to be an expert. I don’t really think I’m an expert on anything. The truth is, I’m pretty ignorant on many topics, even if I don’t advertise it. And so are you, whether you realize/admit it or not.

Just for fun, here are a few different topics, my highly biased estimated level of competence, and where I got my knowledge or lack thereof:

Expert – JACK SQUAT!

Very Knowledgeable –

• Writing – BA in writing from Baylor University, years of blogging, various writing jobs, a few minor publications
• Part 121 flight dispatching (domestic only) – 6.5 years on the job
• Um…um…surely there’s something else…right???

Knowledgeable –

• Tennis – Years of playing and watching including time on my high school varsity team. Oh yeah, plus a Beginning Tennis course at Baylor =)
• Business – MBA from Embry-Riddle, time in various jobs. Strangely enough, my MBA would qualify me to teach at the college level at some schools even though I’m far from an expert on any business field.
• Christianity – Nearly 20 years as a Christian attending various churches, lots of reading and self-study. At first I wanted to file this one under “Very Knowledgeable”, but I still feel like it’s a dense fog after all these years.

Fairly Ignorant

• Parenting – Yes, I’m a father of two. But I feel like I’m learning as I go and have little to offer in terms of parenting advice. What works for my kids might not work for yours.
• Soccer – I know there are two teams, a ball, and generally low scores, at least at the pro level. And the rules are kinda like hockey rules. That’s about it.
• Cycling – My new hobby is a whole new world of terminology, particularly with regard to the equipment. I haven’t really gotten into technique yet.

Completely Ignorant

• What Goes On Inside My Children’s Heads
• The Secret to Rick Perry’s Hair
• The Short-Lived Backwards Jeans Movement in the 1990s. Darn you, Kris Kross!

So, in light of my profoundly limited knowledge on the majority of the topics in existence, I am trying to be more careful when offering my knowledge or opinions. It won’t win me a $10 million TV deal as a political pundit, but at least (I hope!) I won’t lead you astray or make you facepalm.