MDC_Ophiuchus
StudentoftheReptile
Just a little venting here...
I am getting so tired of these self-proclaimed "experts" going around bragging about how much experience they have, which "big names" they know, and/or how much knowledge they have on such-and-such species. I mean, I personally feel if you're knowledgeable enough about something, and if you are genuinely trying to be helpful, people will acknowledge your expertise.
There's no need for all this chest-puffing, online strutting, and whatnot. Nor is it necessary to belittle anyone else who doesn't happen to know as much as you do. Everyone is here to learn as well as help educate others when possible (or at least they should be!).
I certainly do not claim to be an expert on anything. I know what I know based on my own experience, and what I learn from others. Sometimes I may not be immediately aware of new developments regarding a particular species, and I will certainly admit when I am wrong.
And I don't care how old you are, who you know, how many yrs of experience you have, or how many great books you have in your herp library. If you are an arrogant little snot, and you feel like you have to tell everyone you're an expert...then I will not take you seriously. To make an analogy, you may have a great product, but presentation is everything. If you come across as a know-it-all jerk, your attitude will effectively overshadow any helpful information you may be attempting to share. Just because someone may not know as much as you, doesn't make them stupid. They may be ignorant, but thats easily curable. But remember that not everyone has the time or the passion to learn about everything about every single species of herp on the planet, so don't have a mental breakdown when you meet someone who doesn't know the entire taxonomy of this genera, or the detailed natural history of that species.
There's a lot of people out there who think a little too highly of themselves. We have enough issues in this hobby without inflated egos getting in the way of things.
(sigh)...thats all for now.
I am getting so tired of these self-proclaimed "experts" going around bragging about how much experience they have, which "big names" they know, and/or how much knowledge they have on such-and-such species. I mean, I personally feel if you're knowledgeable enough about something, and if you are genuinely trying to be helpful, people will acknowledge your expertise.
There's no need for all this chest-puffing, online strutting, and whatnot. Nor is it necessary to belittle anyone else who doesn't happen to know as much as you do. Everyone is here to learn as well as help educate others when possible (or at least they should be!).
I certainly do not claim to be an expert on anything. I know what I know based on my own experience, and what I learn from others. Sometimes I may not be immediately aware of new developments regarding a particular species, and I will certainly admit when I am wrong.
And I don't care how old you are, who you know, how many yrs of experience you have, or how many great books you have in your herp library. If you are an arrogant little snot, and you feel like you have to tell everyone you're an expert...then I will not take you seriously. To make an analogy, you may have a great product, but presentation is everything. If you come across as a know-it-all jerk, your attitude will effectively overshadow any helpful information you may be attempting to share. Just because someone may not know as much as you, doesn't make them stupid. They may be ignorant, but thats easily curable. But remember that not everyone has the time or the passion to learn about everything about every single species of herp on the planet, so don't have a mental breakdown when you meet someone who doesn't know the entire taxonomy of this genera, or the detailed natural history of that species.
There's a lot of people out there who think a little too highly of themselves. We have enough issues in this hobby without inflated egos getting in the way of things.
(sigh)...thats all for now.

(*coughtheauthorofthatquotecough*) and everything out of this person's mouth just drives me nuts! If you have to thump your chest over how experienced you are, then you probably aren't that experienced. 

