3 ms·

First, have you asked yourself why you want to be an expert in many things? If it is just to know things, then it doesn't matter; just keep learning until you c

by gduzan 4y ago

First, have you asked yourself why you want to be an expert in many things? If it is just to know things, then it doesn't matter; just keep learning until you can't anymore. If it is to apply the knowledge to something, then you can use that fact to determine how much utility over time the knowledge of each thing would have, and focus on the greatest first.

Victerius 4y ago
> First, have you asked yourself why you want to be an expert in many things? Not the OP, but here's my answer. I want to be able to win arguments. If I debate the merits of an economic proposal with you, and you say, "Sure, and what are your qualifications, exactly? Do you have a PhD in economics?", I want to be able to say, "Yes, I do have a PhD in economics, actually", or "I have read over 490 books about economics, including graduate-level texts. What are YOUR qualifications?". I want to be able to stand my ground with credentialed experts without necessarily having the same degrees.
- pdntspa 4y ago
  That is an awful lot of effort just to be able to prove a point, which may or may not actually come up. Choose wisely!
- SoftTalker 4y ago
  Arguments are seldom "won" outside of something like a formal debate with point scoring. Arguing with most people is like mud-wrestling with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.
- paulcole 4y ago
  > I want to be able to win arguments. The easier route to this is to talk loudly and confidently until the other person gives up.
- olddustytrail 4y ago
  Give up on that ambition. There are a lot of very intelligent people in the world. They will know more about their subject than you. Learn instead to recognize expertise.
- gchamonlive 4y ago
  > I want to be able to win arguments. You just need to master rhetoric. No need to be a master of a specific subject to be able to twist arguments in your favor.
- sockaddr 4y ago
  Realistically a lot of people who you'd otherwise learn from will avoid discussing things with you because of this behavior. Meanwhile those willing to listen and who aren't as concerned with winning arguments will learn much more than you. EDIT: to expand on this, the smartest person I ever knew (the late Justin Corwin. Maybe someone here also knew him) would sit quietly during arguments until someone asked his opinion. Even if you got something wrong he wouldn't correct you unless he knew it would help you. He didn't lord shallow facts over people like many others do and his knowledge went deeper than you could explore with mere discussion. After knowing someone like this It has forever changed how I evaluate people's intelligence. Some intelligent people are not at all concerned about winning arguments and it's extremely refreshing.
  - Victerius 4y ago
    > his knowledge went deeper than you could explore with mere discussion. Another principle of mine: There are no oracles. There is no individual, past, present, or future, who cannot be surpassed. No one is a knowledge god. If I learned everything Justin knew, and that wouldn't be too difficult, I imagine, then I, too, could gain a level of knowledge that goes deeper than one could explore with mere discussion, according to you.
    - sockaddr 4y ago
      > I imagine, then I, too, could gain a level of knowledge that goes deeper than one could explore with mere discussion, according to you. Yes, you could. Your point is?
      - Victerius 4y ago
        My point is: Let's not put anyone on a pedestal because of their cerebral skills. Great athletes, great artists, sure.
        sockaddr 4y ago
        No one is doing that. I'm trying to explain to you that you might get more milage (learning more) by using a different approach and then giving you an example from my life. If that doesn't work for you that's fine. Have a great day and good luck.
- dixie_land 4y ago
  If being an expert wins you arguments we wouldn't have flat earthers
- aintmeit 4y ago

by gduzan 4y ago

Victerius 4y ago

> First, have you asked yourself why you want to be an expert in many things? Not the OP, but here's my answer. I want to be able to win arguments. If I debate the merits of an economic proposal with you, and you say, "Sure, and what are your qualifications, exactly? Do you have a PhD in economics?", I want to be able to say, "Yes, I do have a PhD in economics, actually", or "I have read over 490 books about economics, including graduate-level texts. What are YOUR qualifications?". I want to be able to stand my ground with credentialed experts without necessarily having the same degrees.

pdntspa 4y ago
That is an awful lot of effort just to be able to prove a point, which may or may not actually come up. Choose wisely!
SoftTalker 4y ago
Arguments are seldom "won" outside of something like a formal debate with point scoring. Arguing with most people is like mud-wrestling with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.
paulcole 4y ago
> I want to be able to win arguments. The easier route to this is to talk loudly and confidently until the other person gives up.
olddustytrail 4y ago
Give up on that ambition. There are a lot of very intelligent people in the world. They will know more about their subject than you. Learn instead to recognize expertise.
gchamonlive 4y ago
> I want to be able to win arguments. You just need to master rhetoric. No need to be a master of a specific subject to be able to twist arguments in your favor.
sockaddr 4y ago
Realistically a lot of people who you'd otherwise learn from will avoid discussing things with you because of this behavior. Meanwhile those willing to listen and who aren't as concerned with winning arguments will learn much more than you. EDIT: to expand on this, the smartest person I ever knew (the late Justin Corwin. Maybe someone here also knew him) would sit quietly during arguments until someone asked his opinion. Even if you got something wrong he wouldn't correct you unless he knew it would help you. He didn't lord shallow facts over people like many others do and his knowledge went deeper than you could explore with mere discussion. After knowing someone like this It has forever changed how I evaluate people's intelligence. Some intelligent people are not at all concerned about winning arguments and it's extremely refreshing.
- Victerius 4y ago
  > his knowledge went deeper than you could explore with mere discussion. Another principle of mine: There are no oracles. There is no individual, past, present, or future, who cannot be surpassed. No one is a knowledge god. If I learned everything Justin knew, and that wouldn't be too difficult, I imagine, then I, too, could gain a level of knowledge that goes deeper than one could explore with mere discussion, according to you.
  - sockaddr 4y ago
    > I imagine, then I, too, could gain a level of knowledge that goes deeper than one could explore with mere discussion, according to you. Yes, you could. Your point is?
    - Victerius 4y ago
      My point is: Let's not put anyone on a pedestal because of their cerebral skills. Great athletes, great artists, sure.
      - sockaddr 4y ago
        No one is doing that. I'm trying to explain to you that you might get more milage (learning more) by using a different approach and then giving you an example from my life. If that doesn't work for you that's fine. Have a great day and good luck.
dixie_land 4y ago
If being an expert wins you arguments we wouldn't have flat earthers
aintmeit 4y ago