So How 'Bout That Expertise? A guest post by Conor Carney.

            What is an expert?  Well it probably depends on whom you ask.  Webster dictionary defines an expert as having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience.  It is rather broad, so it is difficult to really define an individual as being some one who is an “expert.”
            We saw a video of someone who was an expert at drawing.  He was able to see the New York sky line from a helicopter for only about 20 minutes then draw almost an exact replica of the city.  He was able to do all of this despite the fact that he was said to be severely autistic.  There are very few people who would be able to accomplish such a task, so I would consider him to be an expert. 
            What about professional athletes?  It is obvious that they have a very special skill, but there are so many of them.  If someone is injured, they are immediately replaced and sometimes the person behind them can out do their previous performances, so are they truly an expert?  Or are they just someone with a high level of skill.
            The same goes for almost any profession.  People are referred to as experts very frequently, but we really do not stop to think what that really means.  There are expert doctors, lawyers, chess players and even limousine drivers, but what does this really all mean. 
            To me an expert is someone who cannot be replaced.  Someone who is so highly skilled at what they do, that if they were to stop no one would be able to replicate what they do.  In this sense there would not be too many experts, because in almost every profession, there is always someone behind you that is ready to take your place.
            The autistic New York drawer is someone who is nearly irreplaceable.  If he were to no longer continue drawing, would one be able to give someone a 20 minute ride throughout a major city then have them draw a thorough and accurate replica of what they saw?  I highly doubt it, at least not without an extensive search.  What if you were sick and your regular doctor was on vacation?  Would you wait until their return or simply go to another doctor?  One would likely find another doctor, or “expert,” in their place.  This is the same throughout all occupations.
            What is an expert?  There is really no answer to that question, because it all depends on the person answering the question.  One person may consider someone an expert and another person may disagree and there really is not a right or wrong answer.  The requirements are so loose that someone could claim they are an expert sandwich maker or expert driver and there is really no way to tell them that they are wrong.  So, to answer the question what is an expert? It depends.