What makes an Expert?

In the social and physical sciences, you're not considered an expert until you've published something that has been peer reviewed and determined to be authoritative or advancing the knowledge of the subject.

Expert in this hobby is much like "master" in this hobby.  It is a term some use to express how impressed they are with the skills of the builder/painter.  Some have fantastic knowledge on subjects, some have extensive knowledge on a particular technique, etc.  The term is earned/given to one by specific viewers.  As so many have said others may consider the builder/painter medeocre at best.

Joe

Tojo72

 

 

stikpusher

 

 

Tojo72

Can a modeler be an "expert" but be a non builder or only mediocre 

 

 

 

 

I don’t know how one can be a non building modeler. That is something of an oxymoron. But a mediocre modeler can be a subject matter expert having a wealth of knowledge on particular subject(s).

 

 

 

 

Didn't think thst thru,did I 

 

We love ya here anyways

Back in the early 80s, I was asked to write a small program for our office; at the time computers were a hobby for me, my primary job at the company did not have anything to do with computers.

Anyhow, I wrote a relatively simple program using the Basic language, it did the job but it was simple, a few coworkers of my, once they saw the program, immediately claimed that I was a “computer expert”, I did know that at the time, I was not , but, from their point of view I was a "computer expert"

So it depends of the point of view of the individual.

Joe

I mostly consider myself to be a mediocre modeler, but I know I can build to a very high standard if I really "care" to do so. I don't think I strive to build to a certain standard every time. I've built some of the 1/48 scale Tamiya German armor kits basically straight out of the box, just doing some basic seam filling etc.

But I've also rebuilt and super detailed the engine grill area of Abrams tank kits so many times, I couldn't even begin to count them all.

It all depends on what I want to do with that particular kit.

stikpusher

 

 

Tojo72

Can a modeler be an "expert" but be a non builder or only mediocre 

 

 

 

 

I don’t know how one can be a non building modeler. That is something of an oxymoron. But a mediocre modeler can be a subject matter expert having a wealth of knowledge on particular subject(s).

 

Didn't think thst thru,did I 

Tojo72

Can a modeler be an "expert" but be a non builder or only mediocre 

Just look on Ebay to find all the experts.

Especially the WWII german tanks with red fire extinguishers on the outside.

You can tell 'em by the prices too, 2, 3, 400 bucks.

um-huh, really..........?

Tojo72;

      Hi; I do believe there are many reasons to call one an expert. The Buildings My company Designed and Built are still standing, Earthquakes and Tornadoes notwithstanding. Therefore some called my design staff Experts!

     I have built models proffessionally for thirty five years, never had one rejected, I have also done Three Museum Level Restorations. These were Ships.( Not Sailing ) and one more was a fifty year old model of a Chris Craft barrelback Speed-Boat.

     I create ships from scratch in plastic( Tankers) and they represent the type that were built after the time of the " Shell Welder"( 1953). Many say I am therefore and expert! All I can say is Oh Well!

In a hobby like modeling, its all subjective.One man's expert is another man's hack.

Its funny in baseball there are coaches who are considered experts in hitting or pitching, they may have never done these things or did them poorly for a short time, yet they are great teachers of these arts and know their profession in and out.Can a modeler be an "expert" but be a non builder or only mediocre 

Back in my working days, I was considered to be an expert in the Unix/Linux computer language ( Microsoft would deny this, but, about 85% of the Internet runs on Linux servers ). Well guess what, almost every day a run into something that I did not know about the language.

The best description of an expert that I have heard was " An expert is an individual who knows everything there is to know about a subject at this point is time."

Also there is this axiom about experts: “An expert is an individual capable of explaining a complex subject in simple language"

Joe

A definition I heard when I first started wook nearly half a century ago was an expert was someone from out of town carrying a briefcase.

You are absolutely correct, but that's where the expert part comes in. My 1000 yard gun is a .308 boltgun, using 175 grain Federal Gold medal Match. I limit my targets to 600 yards with my MK12, and standard battle ranges / battle sight zero for my M4. 

HooYah Deep Sea

For stikpusher; when I have made head shots at 1000 yards, that would make me an expert; mainly because many people I know have scored 'expert' in their quals, but could not possibly make it happen at a grand.

Considering that the maximum effective range for both point and area targets while using the standard rifle, an M16, is far less than 1000 yards, that should not be surprising at all. Number one, it’s beyond the weapon’s capabilities, number two, it’s beyond their training. Not exactly a valid comparison. Now if you’re talking about school trained and qualified snipers with their unique weapons, that’s a different story.

I think "expert" is a relative term.  To me it would be the person in the room who has the most acquired knowledge and experience on whatever subject has presented itself.  I apply that comment to my 27 year career in avionics.  I'm considered to be the Garmin Integrated Flight Deck "expert" in my shop, so I end up fielding a lot of the AOG calls on weekends where an aircraft with a G1000 or G3000 system is grounded due to avionics issues.  That doesn't mean that I know more about it than everybody else in the country though...someone always knows more so I learn from them, but at the same time, sometimes they learn from me.  Sometimes I bring problems to the manufacturer's attention that they hadn't been aware of.  But more often than not, I still rely heavily on their tech support guys when new situations come up (which they always do).

Hi Bill;

    Not looking for anything definite. Just curious as to what some folks seem to think " Experts" or "Expert" mean to them.  I know what it means to me.

In my humble opinion .  .  .  An expert is by definition someone with considerably more knowledge and/or experience on a 'particular' subject than his contemporaries. 

For stikpusher; when I have made head shots at 1000 yards, that would make me an expert; mainly because many people I know have scored 'expert' in their quals, but could not possibly make it happen at a grand.

For others; when I discuss diving, as a former Navy mixed-gas hard hat, when standing with a group of 'open water' qual'ed scuba dudes, I am the expert.

So, what I'm saying is that it is directly dependent on the subject, and its all a matter of comparison. As for the art of modeling, though I have been pleased with the results of my work on occasion, I still consider myself in the infantile stage, because I must compare my work with others.

to me an expert is someone who has an unusually large amount of knowledge about a particular subject. That comes from extensive reading/ listening to multiple reliable references.

I'd make a distinction between "highly skilled" and "expert".

I have no idea what you are looking for, Tanks. 

Bill

It all depends on how your craft is measured.  Here’s an interesting quote from a baseball legend.

”During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times.  I struck out about 1700 times and walked maybe 1800 times.  A ball player will have something like 500 at-bats a season.  That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball.”

Mickey Mantle.

Oh Dodgy:

     I do like yer definition. My friend from Adelaide laughed his Frenozo off!

Rob;

   I don't know now what the requirements for a Ma Deuce expert is. I used to use mine as a replacement for an axe in the jungle! Sure will clear a space!

Hi K.D.

     I like your answer. I reached that level of expert by my fifth model years ago. See, no one told me if you get glue on your fingers it would leave a mark on the model LOL.LOL.

I consider myself to be an expert in my field and I say so because the industry indicates it.  I am also an expert at making at least one major mistake on every kit I've built.   I'm an expert at fingerprints on perfect paint jobs,  an expert at paint runs, and an expert at glazed canopies.  These are my skills. Lol

Rob Gronovius

 

 

stikpusher

Tanker-Builder

  Now think about what I said and let me know what qualifies as a EXPERT in your thinking, Okay?  T.B. 

shooting 90% or above during weapons qualification, that’s an expert in my world.

 

 

 

I've shot expert with an M1911A1, M16A1, M16A2, M9, M60A3TTS and M1A1, and don't consider myself an expert shooter by any means.

 

Although by US Army standards, you are designated as such with those particular weapons. You shoot at the expert level with them. Officially you have reached a level of expertise with those specific weapons. 

My original comment was half in jest. But seriously one has to apply themselves far more to the task to score expert as a shooter with any weapon, than to merely qualify as a marksman. For some shooters that is easier to do than for others. And when one passes that score, one has earned the title of expert in that regard.

stikpusher

Tanker-Builder

  Now think about what I said and let me know what qualifies as a EXPERT in your thinking, Okay?  T.B. 

shooting 90% or above during weapons qualification, that’s an expert in my world.

I've shot expert with an M1911A1, M16A1, M16A2, M9, M60A3TTS and M1A1, and don't consider myself an expert shooter by any means.

In this case I guess I could call myself a expert at something afterall.

I used to drive 113s in the A.F. as well as M-706s so at least iwith the 706 I know more than the people in my club, not so sure about the 113.