It's not above your intellect. That's the whole point. Credentials are mostly bullshit unless accompanied by primary evidence. Think for yourself first. If

It's not above your intellect. That's the whole point. Credentials are mostly bullshit unless accompanied by primary evidence. Think for yourself first. If necessary, and only if necessary, feel free to use credentials as potential tiebreakers. Having students (particularly mathematicians) has reminded me that only derivation and demonstration really count in science. All the rest is artifice.