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| | yet merely 4 days later SVB was seized by [[California]] regulators and the [[FDIC]]. | | yet merely 4 days later SVB was seized by [[California]] regulators and the [[FDIC]]. |
| | | | |
| | + | '''''The best of the public tend to be more [[charitable]] and less arrogant. In sports, they tend to cheat less'''''. |
| | ==Examples== | | ==Examples== |
| | | | |
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| | *[[Evariste Galois]], an unknown teenager, developed [[group theory]] and it took the mathematical experts a century to appreciate it | | *[[Evariste Galois]], an unknown teenager, developed [[group theory]] and it took the mathematical experts a century to appreciate it |
| | *[[Alexander Hamilton]], the most intellectually productive of the [[Founding Fathers]], was abandoned by his father, orphaned by the premature death of his mother, and then orphaned again by the suicide of his adopted father; he was stigmatized due to his social background and excluded from the local [[British]] school for it. | | *[[Alexander Hamilton]], the most intellectually productive of the [[Founding Fathers]], was abandoned by his father, orphaned by the premature death of his mother, and then orphaned again by the suicide of his adopted father; he was stigmatized due to his social background and excluded from the local [[British]] school for it. |
| − | *the principle of trial by a jury of one's peers | + | *the principle of trial by a [[jury]] of one's peers |
| | *letters to the editor | | *letters to the editor |
| | *the design of [[Vietnam War]] Memorial (competition won by a college student, featuring ordinary soldiers) | | *the design of [[Vietnam War]] Memorial (competition won by a college student, featuring ordinary soldiers) |
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| | *[[Homeschooled]] students tended to dominate the annual Math Counts competition to such an extent that the competition changed the rules to ban teams of homeschoolers from participating.<ref>http://theaquilareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2760:homeschoolers-count-national-math-competition-bans-homeschoolers&catid=49:people&Itemid=132</ref> | | *[[Homeschooled]] students tended to dominate the annual Math Counts competition to such an extent that the competition changed the rules to ban teams of homeschoolers from participating.<ref>http://theaquilareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2760:homeschoolers-count-national-math-competition-bans-homeschoolers&catid=49:people&Itemid=132</ref> |
| | *In 1939, George Dantzig, a graduate student at [[Stanford University]] solved two problems in statistics that were previously considered unsolvable after mistaking them for a homework assignment. Until Dantzig's professor told him what he had done, he was unaware that there was anything special about the problems.<ref>http://www.snopes.com/college/homework/unsolvable.asp</ref> | | *In 1939, George Dantzig, a graduate student at [[Stanford University]] solved two problems in statistics that were previously considered unsolvable after mistaking them for a homework assignment. Until Dantzig's professor told him what he had done, he was unaware that there was anything special about the problems.<ref>http://www.snopes.com/college/homework/unsolvable.asp</ref> |
| − | *All wikis, such as [[Conservapedia]], are an example of the 'Best of the Public' because their accuracy depends upon the premise that the public can outdo encyclopedias written by experts. | + | *All wikis, such as [[Conservapedia]], are examples of the 'Best of the Public' because their accuracy depends upon the premise that the public can outdo encyclopedias written by experts. |
| | *[[Elon Musk]] revolutionized space travel and automobile production, while "expert" types insisted that what he aspired to do was impossible. Now, while revolutionizing social media, the same liberal "experts" deny that he will succeed in revolutionizing the global financial system despite the fact that he is on the verge of that, too. | | *[[Elon Musk]] revolutionized space travel and automobile production, while "expert" types insisted that what he aspired to do was impossible. Now, while revolutionizing social media, the same liberal "experts" deny that he will succeed in revolutionizing the global financial system despite the fact that he is on the verge of that, too. |
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| | *[[Mary]], the mother of [[Jesus]] | | *[[Mary]], the mother of [[Jesus]] |
| | *[[Stephen]], the first martyr | | *[[Stephen]], the first martyr |
| − | *the repentent criminal who was [[Crucifixion|crucified]] next to [[Jesus]] and defended him there, and Jesus rewarded him: ”today you will be with me in paradise.”<ref>{{bibleref|Luke|23|43}} ([[ESV]]).</ref> | + | *the repentant criminal who was [[Crucifixion|crucified]] next to [[Jesus]] and defended him there, and Jesus rewarded him: ”today you will be with me in paradise.”<ref>{{bibleref|Luke|23|43}} ([[ESV]]).</ref> |
| | *[[Prophet]]s in the [[Old Testament]] | | *[[Prophet]]s in the [[Old Testament]] |
| | *Lenny Skutnik, the [[Mississippi]] native who dove into the icy [[Potomac River]] to rescue passengers from Air Florida Flight 90 on Jan. 13, 1982.<ref>"I wasn't a hero," Lenny Skutnik said. "I was just someone who helped another human being. We're surrounded by heroes. What made this different was that it was caught on film and went all over the world." [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/12/AR2007011202052.html]</ref> Tragically, a passenger aboard the plane (Arland D. Williams Jr.), after assisting in the rescue of four passengers, succumbed to the cold and perished; the bridge which the plane struck was renamed in Williams' memory. | | *Lenny Skutnik, the [[Mississippi]] native who dove into the icy [[Potomac River]] to rescue passengers from Air Florida Flight 90 on Jan. 13, 1982.<ref>"I wasn't a hero," Lenny Skutnik said. "I was just someone who helped another human being. We're surrounded by heroes. What made this different was that it was caught on film and went all over the world." [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/12/AR2007011202052.html]</ref> Tragically, a passenger aboard the plane (Arland D. Williams Jr.), after assisting in the rescue of four passengers, succumbed to the cold and perished; the bridge which the plane struck was renamed in Williams' memory. |
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| | Anyone can enter, and winning is based solely on skill. Examples include the following: | | Anyone can enter, and winning is based solely on skill. Examples include the following: |
| | ====Competitions==== | | ====Competitions==== |
| − | *The [[Olympic Games]],<ref>Since 1990 there has been a qualifying requirement of reasonable success at a prior event.</ref> known for setting the most world records. When [[Francois Duvalier]] was the dictator of Haiti, he decided to abandon common sense and instead use [[nepotism]] to select who would compete in the Olympics. High-ranking military officials were sent to represent Haiti regardless of athletic ability, and typically finished last. The International Olympic Committee has since taken steps to ensure all athletes are reasonably qualified, although they do make exceptions in the Summer Olympics for countries with no reasonably qualified athletes in any sport (also, the host country is allowed to enter its athletes into any event). Today, all countries send their best athletes, rather than use the methods Duvalier used. | + | *The [[Olympic Games]],<ref>Since 1990 there has been a qualifying requirement of reasonable success at a prior event.</ref> known for setting the most world records. When [[Francois Duvalier]] was the dictator of Haiti, he decided to abandon common sense and instead use [[nepotism]] to select who would compete in the Olympics. High-ranking military officials were sent to represent Haiti regardless of athletic ability and typically finished last. The International Olympic Committee has since taken steps to ensure all athletes are reasonably qualified, although they do make exceptions in the Summer Olympics for countries with no reasonably qualified athletes in any sport (also, the host country is allowed to enter its athletes into any event). Today, all countries send their best athletes, rather than use the methods Duvalier used. |
| | *The [[Tour de France]].<ref>In the 1920s it was open to all; now there is a qualifying process for teams.</ref> | | *The [[Tour de France]].<ref>In the 1920s it was open to all; now there is a qualifying process for teams.</ref> |
| | | | |
| | ====Achievements==== | | ====Achievements==== |
| | =====Football===== | | =====Football===== |
| − | *Brock Purdy, dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant"<ref>The title is given to the last player picked in the NFL Draft. The player is given the "Lowsman Trophy" (a spoof of the Heisman Trophy) which features a player dropping a football.</ref> as the last selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, stepped in as the third-string quarterback for the [[San Francisco 49ers]] (the starter was injured for the season in the first game, and the backup—the former starter—also went down with a season-ending injury later on) and won 7 straight games to place them into the NFC Championship game in Jan. 2023 (injured early), and then led an "epic comback" to win the NFC Championship game in Jan. 2024 to become one of the youngest QBs to make the [[Super Bowl]].<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/29/sport/nfl-quarterback-brock-purdy-jared-goff/index.html</ref> | + | *Brock Purdy, dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant"<ref>The title is given to the last player picked in the NFL Draft. The player is given the "Lowsman Trophy" (a spoof of the Heisman Trophy) which features a player dropping a football.</ref> as the last selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, stepped in as the third-string quarterback for the [[San Francisco 49ers]] (the starter was injured for the season in the first game, and the backup—the former starter—also went down with a season-ending injury later on) and won 7 straight games to place them into the NFC Championship game in Jan. 2023 (injured early), and then led an "epic comeback" to win the NFC Championship game in Jan. 2024 to become one of the youngest QBs to make the [[Super Bowl]].<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/29/sport/nfl-quarterback-brock-purdy-jared-goff/index.html</ref> |
| | *[[Joe Montana]] was passed over in [[Heisman Trophy]] voting despite leading [[Notre Dame]] to a national championship, was drafted only 82nd, and spent his first two [[NFL]] seasons on the bench, yet became one of the greatest [[NFL]] quarterbacks. | | *[[Joe Montana]] was passed over in [[Heisman Trophy]] voting despite leading [[Notre Dame]] to a national championship, was drafted only 82nd, and spent his first two [[NFL]] seasons on the bench, yet became one of the greatest [[NFL]] quarterbacks. |
| | *Terrell Davis, only a sixth-round [[NFL]] draft pick, carried the Denver Broncos to two [[Super Bowl]] championships and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2017.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/08/05/nbcs-sunday-night-football-honored-by-hall-of-fame/104322286/</ref> | | *Terrell Davis, only a sixth-round [[NFL]] draft pick, carried the Denver Broncos to two [[Super Bowl]] championships and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2017.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/08/05/nbcs-sunday-night-football-honored-by-hall-of-fame/104322286/</ref> |
| | *Jim Plunkett, a Mexican American raised by blind parents who had met at a school for the blind, won two stunning [[Super Bowl]] victories in addition to the [[Heisman Trophy]], despite how his college coach had tried to talk him out of being a quarterback.<ref>http://www.davidpietrusza.com/Plunkett.html</ref> | | *Jim Plunkett, a Mexican American raised by blind parents who had met at a school for the blind, won two stunning [[Super Bowl]] victories in addition to the [[Heisman Trophy]], despite how his college coach had tried to talk him out of being a quarterback.<ref>http://www.davidpietrusza.com/Plunkett.html</ref> |
| − | *Kurt Warner, one of the greatest football quarterbacks by multiple yardsticks,<ref>Warner is only of only three quarterbacks who led two ''different'' teams to the Super Bowl, participating in three Super Bowls and winning one.</ref> was not drafted by any team out of college, was originally cut by the Green Bay Packers, was denied a tryout by the Chicago Bears, ended up working as a grocery store stocker, and was ultimately given a chance only due to another player's injury. | + | *Kurt Warner, one of the greatest football quarterbacks by multiple yardsticks,<ref>Warner is one of only three quarterbacks who led two ''different'' teams to the Super Bowl, participating in three Super Bowls and winning one.</ref> was not drafted by any team out of college, was originally cut by the Green Bay Packers, was denied a tryout by the Chicago Bears, ended up working as a grocery store stocker, and was ultimately given a chance only due to another player's injury. |
| | *[[Tim Tebow]], a devout Christian dismissed by the media, led the Denver Broncos to the playoffs his first season as a starter, and was inexplicably traded to the New York Jets, who preferred to play "expert" quarterback Mark Sanchez, costing them the season and finishing a pathetic 6–10. Tebow was again rejected by the [[New England Patriots]] in favor of "expert" quarterback Tom Brady. The team performed poorly in the first quarter of the 2013 season, with Brady playing at a mediocre level of play. | | *[[Tim Tebow]], a devout Christian dismissed by the media, led the Denver Broncos to the playoffs his first season as a starter, and was inexplicably traded to the New York Jets, who preferred to play "expert" quarterback Mark Sanchez, costing them the season and finishing a pathetic 6–10. Tebow was again rejected by the [[New England Patriots]] in favor of "expert" quarterback Tom Brady. The team performed poorly in the first quarter of the 2013 season, with Brady playing at a mediocre level of play. |
| | *Albert Wilson, an undrafted wide receiver who had a successful career of "2,499 yards and 12 touchdowns. As he retires from the league, Wilson can put even more time and effort into his foundation, which aims to create job opportunities for youth aging out of the foster care system in Fort Pierce, FL."<ref>https://atozsports.com/kansas-city/underdog-ex-chiefs-wr-albert-wilson-nfl-retirement-announcement/</ref> | | *Albert Wilson, an undrafted wide receiver who had a successful career of "2,499 yards and 12 touchdowns. As he retires from the league, Wilson can put even more time and effort into his foundation, which aims to create job opportunities for youth aging out of the foster care system in Fort Pierce, FL."<ref>https://atozsports.com/kansas-city/underdog-ex-chiefs-wr-albert-wilson-nfl-retirement-announcement/</ref> |
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| | *[[Villanova University]] won two [[NCAA]] men's basketball titles in three years (2016 and 2018) despite having a relatively obscure athletic program. It also won the national title in 1985 despite being a #8 seed, the lowest seed to ever win the title, and defeated defending national champion (and conference foe) Georgetown in the championship game. | | *[[Villanova University]] won two [[NCAA]] men's basketball titles in three years (2016 and 2018) despite having a relatively obscure athletic program. It also won the national title in 1985 despite being a #8 seed, the lowest seed to ever win the title, and defeated defending national champion (and conference foe) Georgetown in the championship game. |
| | *The Dallas Mavericks, having few stars, swept the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers and then crushed the star-studded Miami Heat to win the 2011 [[NBA]] title. | | *The Dallas Mavericks, having few stars, swept the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers and then crushed the star-studded Miami Heat to win the 2011 [[NBA]] title. |
| − | *Similarly, the Toronto Raptors stunned the overwhelmingly-favored Golden State Warriors to win the 2019 NBA championship despite not having any lottery picks on their roster. | + | *Similarly, the Toronto Raptors stunned the overwhelmingly favored Golden State Warriors to win the 2019 NBA championship despite not having any lottery picks on their roster. |
| | *Giannis Antetokounmpo, the "Greek Freak" born to [[Nigeria]]n parents, was drafted by the NBA only 15th, far below the lottery choices, and was unremarkable but gradually improved each season in the NBA until he won its coveted MVP award in 2019. His motto is a quote from the [[Bible]]: "walk by [[faith]], not by sight."<ref>http://evangelicalfocus.com/lifetech/4555/NBA_MVP_Antetokounmpo_walks_by_faith_</ref> | | *Giannis Antetokounmpo, the "Greek Freak" born to [[Nigeria]]n parents, was drafted by the NBA only 15th, far below the lottery choices, and was unremarkable but gradually improved each season in the NBA until he won its coveted MVP award in 2019. His motto is a quote from the [[Bible]]: "walk by [[faith]], not by sight."<ref>http://evangelicalfocus.com/lifetech/4555/NBA_MVP_Antetokounmpo_walks_by_faith_</ref> |
| | *[[Jeremy Lin]], denied college basketball scholarships, left undrafted by the [[NBA]] and cut by a weak NBA team, joined the 8-15 Knicks and then took them on a seven-game winning streak, including wiping the floor with [[liberal]]-promoted [[Kobe Bryant]] of the favored Lakers | | *[[Jeremy Lin]], denied college basketball scholarships, left undrafted by the [[NBA]] and cut by a weak NBA team, joined the 8-15 Knicks and then took them on a seven-game winning streak, including wiping the floor with [[liberal]]-promoted [[Kobe Bryant]] of the favored Lakers |
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| | =====Tennis===== | | =====Tennis===== |
| | *Unseeded woman Marketa Vondrousova won the [[Wimbledon]] singles title in 2023.<ref>https://clutchpoints.com/wimbledon-news-marketa-vondrousova-makes-mind-boggling-history-with-epic-win-over-ons-jabeur</ref> | | *Unseeded woman Marketa Vondrousova won the [[Wimbledon]] singles title in 2023.<ref>https://clutchpoints.com/wimbledon-news-marketa-vondrousova-makes-mind-boggling-history-with-epic-win-over-ons-jabeur</ref> |
| − | *Marion Bartoli, a relatively obscure tennis player with a low seed at [[Wimbledon]], won the women's single title in 2013 without losing a single set the entire tournament, a feat achieved by only five other players in modern history. | + | *Marion Bartoli, a relatively obscure tennis player with a low seed at [[Wimbledon]], won the women's singles title in 2013 without losing a single set the entire tournament, a feat achieved by only five other players in modern history. |
| | *15-year-old Cori Gauff became the youngest to qualify for [[Wimbledon]] through the public qualifying rounds, and then defeated 5-time champion Venus Williams in straight sets, in 2019. | | *15-year-old Cori Gauff became the youngest to qualify for [[Wimbledon]] through the public qualifying rounds, and then defeated 5-time champion Venus Williams in straight sets, in 2019. |
| | *Simona Halep had never won [[Wimbledon]], but played near-perfect tennis to crush in only 56 minutes the overpowering, 7-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, in 2019. | | *Simona Halep had never won [[Wimbledon]], but played near-perfect tennis to crush in only 56 minutes the overpowering, 7-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, in 2019. |
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| | *the greatest river engineer ever, James B. Eads, lacked any formal education and his revolutionary successes (such as the Eads Bridge) were opposed by leading experts<ref name="Eads bridge">https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eads/peopleevents/p_jbeads.html</ref> | | *the greatest river engineer ever, James B. Eads, lacked any formal education and his revolutionary successes (such as the Eads Bridge) were opposed by leading experts<ref name="Eads bridge">https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eads/peopleevents/p_jbeads.html</ref> |
| | *perhaps the greatest health program of the 20th century, using a new term he coined for his program ("aerobics"), was developed by military physician Kenneth Cooper outside of a major medical research facility | | *perhaps the greatest health program of the 20th century, using a new term he coined for his program ("aerobics"), was developed by military physician Kenneth Cooper outside of a major medical research facility |
| − | *"Moldy" Mary Hunt, a low-level lab worker, used a rotten cantaloupe to facilitate the first ''mass'' production of [[penicillin]].<ref>"Then, in 1943, Mary Hunt, a lab worker in Peoria, Illinois brought in a cantaloupe melon. It was said to have been infected with a 'pretty, golden mould'. This mould was 'Penicillium chrysogeum'. It yielded about 200 times as much penicillin as Fleming's mould. Florey used x-rays to mutate the mould, which eventually gave 1000 times the yield of penicillin from the original." [http://www.qi.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=11777&start=0&sid=270d7f1ec3dc7c97bbb3c84a264676cc]</ref> | + | *"Moldy" Mary Hunt, a low-level lab worker, used a rotten cantaloupe to facilitate the first ''mass'' production of [[penicillin]].<ref>"Then, in 1943, Mary Hunt, a lab worker in Peoria, Illinois brought in a cantaloupe melon. It was said to have been infected with a 'pretty, golden mold'. This mould was 'Penicillium chrysogeum'. It yielded about 200 times as much penicillin as Fleming's mold. Florey used x-rays to mutate the mold, which eventually gave 1000 times the yield of penicillin from the original." [http://www.qi.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=11777&start=0&sid=270d7f1ec3dc7c97bbb3c84a264676cc]</ref> |
| | *the [[free software]] movement and its ongoing development of the [[Linux]] operating system | | *the [[free software]] movement and its ongoing development of the [[Linux]] operating system |
| | *the development of a heavier-than-air, fixed-wing aircraft by the [[Wright Brothers]], despite opposition and mockery by aviation "experts." | | *the development of a heavier-than-air, fixed-wing aircraft by the [[Wright Brothers]], despite opposition and mockery by aviation "experts." |
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| | *New astronomical discoveries are regularly reported by amateur astronomers, to then be published by "experts", advancing their careers in the process. | | *New astronomical discoveries are regularly reported by amateur astronomers, to then be published by "experts", advancing their careers in the process. |
| | *The leading and most innovative internet browser, [[Firefox]], was developed in a not-for-profit effort outside of the multibillion-dollar [[Microsoft]] and [[Google]] empires. | | *The leading and most innovative internet browser, [[Firefox]], was developed in a not-for-profit effort outside of the multibillion-dollar [[Microsoft]] and [[Google]] empires. |
| − | *[[Mikhail Kalashnikov]] was drafted by the Russian military, and despite being trained in poetry and literature, eventually was made a firearms designer. He drew upon inspiration from Russian literature, and the Bible to focus on simplicity, and dependability. This simplicity resulted in the atheist experts rejecting his designs, and declaring them unworkable. The experts were however ultimately proven wrong, when one of his designs went on to win an open design contest, and became the single most reliable and prevalent firearm in the world: the [[AK-47]]. | + | *[[Mikhail Kalashnikov]] was drafted by the Russian military, and despite being trained in poetry and literature, eventually was made a firearms designer. He drew upon inspiration from Russian literature, and the Bible to focus on simplicity and dependability. This simplicity resulted in the atheist experts rejecting his designs, and declaring them unworkable. The experts were however ultimately proven wrong, when one of his designs went on to win an open design contest, and became the single most reliable and prevalent firearm in the world: the [[AK-47]]. |
| | *In 1919, philanthropist Raymond Orteig offered $25,000 to the first person to fly a solo, non-stop flight between New York and Paris. Although many wealthy aviation experts attempted to win this prize, it was an unknown amateur pilot named [[Charles Lindbergh]] who won it. | | *In 1919, philanthropist Raymond Orteig offered $25,000 to the first person to fly a solo, non-stop flight between New York and Paris. Although many wealthy aviation experts attempted to win this prize, it was an unknown amateur pilot named [[Charles Lindbergh]] who won it. |
| | *In 1873, [[homeschooled]] [[Scotland|Scottish]] scientist [[James Clerk Maxwell]] discovered the system of equations bearing his name that describe [[electromagnetism]]. | | *In 1873, [[homeschooled]] [[Scotland|Scottish]] scientist [[James Clerk Maxwell]] discovered the system of equations bearing his name that describe [[electromagnetism]]. |
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| | ===Exploration and discovery=== | | ===Exploration and discovery=== |
| | | | |
| − | *Despite billions of research dollars, technical experts and equipment for professional astronomers, amateur astronomers play a crucial role in outer space discoveries. ''See [[Comet Lovejoy]]'' | + | *Despite billions of research dollars, technical experts, and equipment for professional astronomers, amateur astronomers play a crucial role in outer space discoveries. ''See [[Comet Lovejoy]]'' |
| | *[[Christopher Columbus]] discovered the New World, despite the near-unanimous expert opinion that his first voyage was doomed to failure. On his second voyage, he successfully returned to the same place he had previously reached, despite the limited navigational skills of the experts of the time. | | *[[Christopher Columbus]] discovered the New World, despite the near-unanimous expert opinion that his first voyage was doomed to failure. On his second voyage, he successfully returned to the same place he had previously reached, despite the limited navigational skills of the experts of the time. |
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| | | | |
| | ===Law Enforcement=== | | ===Law Enforcement=== |
| − | *Convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was caught, not by the thousands of police experts swarming uselessly over a shut-down Watertown, MA, but by an individual keeping his eyes open in his own back yard. | + | *Convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was caught, not by the thousands of police experts swarming uselessly over a shut-down Watertown, MA, but by an individual keeping his eyes open in his own backyard. |
| | | | |
| | == Obstacles Created by Liberal Experts == | | == Obstacles Created by Liberal Experts == |
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| | [[Liberal]] and [[conservative]] experts have a self-interest in defending their theories, even if incorrect, and in perpetuating the system that has rewarded and applauded them. Some experts receive prodigious sums by promoting theories that are false or implausible, either in the media or in courtrooms. | | [[Liberal]] and [[conservative]] experts have a self-interest in defending their theories, even if incorrect, and in perpetuating the system that has rewarded and applauded them. Some experts receive prodigious sums by promoting theories that are false or implausible, either in the media or in courtrooms. |
| | | | |
| − | Most conservatives who are experts in their own right reasonably fear a loss in grants, compensation or awards if they take a position at odds with a [[liberal]] counterpoint, especially one that has gained wide acceptance with the general population. | + | Most conservatives who are experts in their own right reasonably fear a loss in grants, compensation, or awards if they take a position at odds with a [[liberal]] counterpoint, especially one that has gained wide acceptance with the general population. |
| | | | |
| | Despite their status as "experts," they have frequently made wrong predictions.<ref>Williams, Walter E. (July 25, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/opinion/item/29615-can-we-trust-experts Can We Trust Experts?] ''The New American''. Retrieved July 28, 2018.</ref> | | Despite their status as "experts," they have frequently made wrong predictions.<ref>Williams, Walter E. (July 25, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/opinion/item/29615-can-we-trust-experts Can We Trust Experts?] ''The New American''. Retrieved July 28, 2018.</ref> |
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| | It is important to note the difference between "Best of the Public" and "mob rule." Simply allowing the loudest or most numerous voices to prevail is not the same thing as allowing the best of the public to drive achievement. Sites such as [[Wikipedia]] operate on the principle of mob rule, and as a result, are plagued with bias, inaccuracy, and an inability to differentiate between significant insights and trivia. | | It is important to note the difference between "Best of the Public" and "mob rule." Simply allowing the loudest or most numerous voices to prevail is not the same thing as allowing the best of the public to drive achievement. Sites such as [[Wikipedia]] operate on the principle of mob rule, and as a result, are plagued with bias, inaccuracy, and an inability to differentiate between significant insights and trivia. |
| | | | |
| − | One of the most pointed illustrations of this difference is the [[United States]] itself. The [[Founding Fathers]], despite not naming it, applied the "Best of the Public" principle in their attempts to craft a new government. Realizing the danger of mob rule, they rejected a pure democracy in favor of a democratic Republic—a system designed to ensure that, while all of the public would have a voice in their new government, the best of the public would guide that government. To ensure that only the best of the public was selected, with the exception of members of the [[U.S. House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], officials in the federal government were not directly elected. The framers of the [[U.S. Constitution]] conceived of the [[Electoral College]] as a body of men who would exercise independent judgment in choosing the [[President of the United States|President]] and [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]], not merely cast their ballots as directed by their state's voters. Moreover, electors in most states were initially appointed by state legislatures. Likewise, members of the [[U.S. Senate|Senate]] were originally selected by state legislatures. Judges, ambassadors, and other federal officials are chosen by the President and subject to approval by the Senate. Thus, although the people would directly choose their Congressmen, they would only indirectly choose other officials, and this filtering mechanism would ensure that only the best of the public was in charge of the government, rather than having mob rule. | + | One of the most pointed illustrations of this difference is the [[United States]] itself. The [[Founding Fathers]], despite not naming it, applied the "Best of the Public" principle in their attempts to craft a new government. Realizing the danger of mob rule, they rejected a pure democracy in favor of a democratic Republic—a system designed to ensure that, while all of the public would have a voice in their new government, the best of the public would guide that government. To ensure that only the best of the public were selected, with the exception of members of the [[U.S. House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], officials in the federal government were not directly elected. The framers of the [[U.S. Constitution]] conceived of the [[Electoral College]] as a body of men who would exercise independent judgment in choosing the [[President of the United States|President]] and [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]], not merely cast their ballots as directed by their state's voters. Moreover, electors in most states were initially appointed by state legislatures. Likewise, members of the [[U.S. Senate|Senate]] were originally selected by state legislatures. Judges, ambassadors, and other federal officials are chosen by the President and subject to approval by the Senate. Thus, although the people would directly choose their Congressmen, they would only indirectly choose other officials, and this filtering mechanism would ensure that only the best of the public was in charge of the government, rather than having mob rule. |
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| | By choosing this compromise, they clearly affirmed that they believed the best of the public was better than a group of experts; in contrast, the nations of Europe still firmly subscribed to the notion that government should be in the hands of elite "experts" (the ruling families and nobility.) | | By choosing this compromise, they clearly affirmed that they believed the best of the public was better than a group of experts; in contrast, the nations of Europe still firmly subscribed to the notion that government should be in the hands of elite "experts" (the ruling families and nobility.) |
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| | ===Obscurity=== | | ===Obscurity=== |
| − | The "best of the public" must be able to be heard. There are millions of books published, and even more books self-published without approval of traditional publishing houses. Many authors protest<ref>Paul Biba. [http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/18/self-publishing-e-books-and-legitimacy-part-3-of-a-series/ Self-publishing, E-books, and Legitimacy: Part 3 of a series], teleread.org, September 18th, 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://www.baen.com/library/palaver6.htm Prime Palaver #6]", Eric Flint</ref> that this is the greatest problem with modern publishing. | + | The "best of the public" must be able to be heard. There are millions of books published, and even more books are self-published without the approval of traditional publishing houses. Many authors protest<ref>Paul Biba. [http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/18/self-publishing-e-books-and-legitimacy-part-3-of-a-series/ Self-publishing, E-books, and Legitimacy: Part 3 of a series], teleread.org, September 18th, 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://www.baen.com/library/palaver6.htm Prime Palaver #6]", Eric Flint</ref> that this is the greatest problem with modern publishing. |
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| | ==Experts versus the Best of the Public== | | ==Experts versus the Best of the Public== |
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| | On the other hand, someone interested in learning about climate science, but not interested in becoming a credentialed expert (we'll call him "Student B,") would likely study a diverse variety of sources. Not confined to the insular and clannish academic subculture, he would speak with a wider range of people, and be exposed to a wider range of viewpoints. This would, in all probability, cause him to examine the claims of the experts with a more critical eye. Ultimately, his studies would not gain him a degree or the official imprimatur of the scientific community, but his understanding of climate science would very likely be more rounded and complete than that of Student A. He very well might disagree with the experts' point of view; at the very least, he would have a much better knowledge of its shortcomings. | | On the other hand, someone interested in learning about climate science, but not interested in becoming a credentialed expert (we'll call him "Student B,") would likely study a diverse variety of sources. Not confined to the insular and clannish academic subculture, he would speak with a wider range of people, and be exposed to a wider range of viewpoints. This would, in all probability, cause him to examine the claims of the experts with a more critical eye. Ultimately, his studies would not gain him a degree or the official imprimatur of the scientific community, but his understanding of climate science would very likely be more rounded and complete than that of Student A. He very well might disagree with the experts' point of view; at the very least, he would have a much better knowledge of its shortcomings. |
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| − | A traditional, expert-dominated inquiry would dismiss the contributions of Student B, since he has not an "expert" - he has not received the official approval of the gatekeepers. A "best of the public" approach would accept the contributions of both Student A and Student B, since they are both members of the public. However, it would not place Student A's contributions on a pedestal and make them sacrosanct and immune to questioning. Student B would be free to bring in HIS expertise as well; as a result, the ensuing discussion would be much less one-sided and more comprehensive, and thus far more likely to result in accurate and truthful insights. Perhaps many ideas coming from people like Student B would be wrong, unprofitable, and therefore rightly rejected; the "best of the public" approach recognizes that not all ideas from the public are better than those of experts. However, it is very likely that some ideas from people like Student B will be true and helpful. This is the difference between the two approaches: such ideas will be heard under the "best of the public" method. | + | A traditional, expert-dominated inquiry would dismiss the contributions of Student B, since he is not an "expert" - he has not received the official approval of the gatekeepers. A "best of the public" approach would accept the contributions of both Student A and Student B, since they are both members of the public. However, it would not place Student A's contributions on a pedestal and make them sacrosanct and immune to questioning. Student B would be free to bring in HIS expertise as well; as a result, the ensuing discussion would be much less one-sided and more comprehensive, and thus far more likely to result in accurate and truthful insights. Perhaps many ideas coming from people like Student B would be wrong, unprofitable, and therefore rightly rejected; the "best of the public" approach recognizes that not all ideas from the public are better than those of experts. However, it is very likely that some ideas from people like Student B will be true and helpful. This is the difference between the two approaches: such ideas will be heard under the "best of the public" method. |
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| | == Solution of the Poincaré Conjecture == | | == Solution of the Poincaré Conjecture == |