Know-nothing arrogance

[cjsmith]

(This idea has been running through my brain for some time. I finally said it in a comment in someone else's journal. Reposting, after nitpicky edits, here.)

There should be a specific word meaning "the type and amount of arrogance that leads a person with no formal training and no experience in a particular subject to believe he knows that subject better than someone who has lots of formal training and/or lots of experience in it". 'Cause it's common enough to deserve a name.

Whatever people decide to call it, I hope it's surgically correctable.

Comments

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you said "and" there... since I've got a pet peeve in the opposite direction, the one where people think that formal training is necessarily better or more desirable than experience. Additonally, how do you account for TALENT or natural ability? Some people have LOTS of formal training and still can do FOO to save their souls, where some people step in as relative neophytes and kick the butts of those with multiple advanced degrees. Education is not necessarily equal to competency.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I've got a pet peeve in the opposite direction, the one where people think that formal training is necessarily better or more desirable than experience.

True enough. Both can be excellent teachers.

Additonally, how do you account for TALENT or natural ability?

I just figured someone with zero experience has no sound reason to claim natural talent. He could be immensely talented, sure -- but neither he nor anyone else knows that. :-)

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

I just figured someone with zero experience has no sound reason to claim natural talent. He could be immensely talented, sure -- but neither he nor anyone else knows that. :-)

Oh, I'm with you there... Especially as regards this particular BS artist you are discussing. :^P

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh, the source of my comment elsewhere? But ah, it's soooo applicable to soooo many! :-)