
Two years ago in March I was on a bird walk with a group of people, and was just coming to grasp the intensity of the propaganda storm that was coming our way. I still believed in “viruses” per se, but not in Sars-Cov-2 and said as much as I walked along with the group leader.
He said “Are you a scientist then?” He was implying that mere mortals were not qualified to express any doubt about “scientists.” I was not prepared for that question, and my “No” response cost me the argument. I was flummoxed.
I haven’t watched news for decades, but I do know that news readers emphasize that certain people they interview are “experts.” What does the word even mean?
One with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject.
That’s the official definition. But I don ‘t think that is how the word is used in practice. In real life, I think the definition of “expert” is as follows:
A person whose opinion relieves all others of the need to think.
That is how experts are used in the news media. They don’t bring in experts to clarify, as in any matter of complexity, there are going to be differing views. Then, as with Dilbert above, it is up to us to decide which expert to trust.


I watched a performance by comedian Taylor Tomlinson last night. She is young (currently 28) and having lots of success. She’s also blue, that is, quite a big of her act involves sexual experiences and attitudes about sex and guys in general. I suppose part of that is that she is very attractive, so as with, say, Iliza Shlesinger, there is an element of imagined accessibility for guys. Neither are stunners, but both exude raw sex appeal. Most guys would fantasize that they perhaps have a shot with her. That type of fantasy does not happen with true knockouts, where guys realize they have no shot.