The Inequality of Experts

A few cobras in your home will soon clear it of rats and mice. Of course, you will still have the cobras. -Will Cuppy, journalist (23 Aug 1884-1949)

***

Hands down, Nikki Haley won the first GOP debate. And I don’t say this just because she’s a South Carolinian or because she was the only woman among the fiery pack of primary candidates. She was simply smarter (even smarter than you, Vivek), more sensible and more experienced – and it showed.--Kathlene Parker

***

The problem of unsustainable Social Security and Medicare trajectories? Simple, says Ramaswamy: Just achieve sustained 5 percent economic growth, and the problem will disappear. (Average annual economic growth from 1947 to 2022 was 3.1 percent, according to Cato Institute fiscal analyst Norbert Michel; only once was it more than 5 percent for three consecutive years.)--Will

***

The Inequality of Experts

Dr Stephen Schneider, of Stanford University, is a well-respected climatologist who is also quite active in the media and politics. He has a famous quote that is often published by non-apocalyptics. The entire quote is here:

"On the one hand, as scientists we are ethically bound to the scientific method, in effect promising to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but – which means that we must include all doubts, the caveats, the ifs, ands, and buts. On the other hand, we are not just scientists but human beings as well. And like most people, we’d like to see the world a better place, which in this context translates into our working to reduce the risk of potentially disastrous climate change. To do that we need to get some broad-based support, to capture the public’s imagination. That, of course, means getting loads of media coverage. So we have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements, and make little mention of any doubts we might have. This “double ethical bind” we frequently find ourselves in cannot be solved by any formula. Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest. I hope that means being both."

Sometimes the last sentence is omitted. Apocalyptics see the last sentence as clarifying and saving.

They are too kind.

This debate is emblematic of the growing problem in the democracy of 'the expert,' whose input is seen as much more important and reliable than the rest of us slugs. Regrettably, it will not be solved easily because their high position in the culture, unlike the aristocracy of old, is earned. Their relationship with us is more like the old days of the dismissal of women, a disparity of circumstance.

This creates a tough problem for 'experts' because they want to pretend we are all equal.