Don’t Listen To Me; I’m Just A Comedian

If you read the comments, you know I occasionally hear from people who point out that I’m just a comedian and have no business commenting on the health sciences.  I get those on the YouTube channel too, usually in language that is far less polite than on the blog.  I guess people feel more anonymous on YouTube.

I’ve never understood the belief that only people with degrees have any real expertise, or that everyone with a degree is an expert.  I had a lot of great teachers in high school and college, but also a few who were dunces — dunces with PhDs.  Meanwhile, some of the most successful people I’ve met are working in fields that have nothing to do with what they studied in college — if they even attended college.

Anyway, I wrote a piece on the topic on my other blog.


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56 thoughts on “Don’t Listen To Me; I’m Just A Comedian

  1. Walter Norris

    Just saw your response to another comment:

    If layment don’t critically analyze advice, we’re all screwed.

    Per Keirsey 40 to 45% of the population are guardians and they trust authority. Scary. I know some guardians who have learned to question authority, but it is not their natural inclination and I don’t think they will ever do it like rationals do (about 5 to 6% of the population).

    THe book is really useful, because it talks about underlying values. We tend to compose arguements based on our own values, which no matter how well constructed, do not influence those of another temperment because it does not appeal to their values.

    That’s a point I’ve tried to make with libertarians who believe the correct logical arguments will turn others into libertarians. It ain’t gonna happen. Some people make their decisions emotionally, and if you want to convert them, you have to appeal to their emotional side.

  2. Katie

    I’m currently reading “Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me),” and it’s giving me great insight into the mindset that leads to the types of comments you get about being “only” a stand up comedian or Denise Minger being “only” a non-science-educated 23-year-old girl. If you haven’t read it, I highly suggest picking it up. It’s even made me rethink many of my own behaviors and thoughts.

    Mike Eades recommended that one as well. It’s on my list, thanks.

  3. Ramona Denton

    I had a discussion the other day, telling a friend about how much I’ve learned about nutrition from blogs like Fathead, and how much my health has improved in the past two years. He said he’d rather trust his doctor than a *blogger*. Big surprise!

    In my non-professional opinion, the blogs I read give me far better nutritional information than any doctor I’ve ever been to for medical services. The blogosphere is the happenin’ place for low carb and paleo…

    Plus, as a college dropout, I have no initials to prove I’m cool. I’ve met many people who cannot regard me with the same level of respect they’d give to a person who partied his way through college while I worked hard, learned a trade and read hundreds of books.

    Keep up the good work, Tom!! You no gotta show them no stickin’ badges…

    If only your friend knew how little training most doctors have in nutrition. We don’t need no stinkin’ badges, indeed.

  4. Ramona Denton

    I had a discussion the other day, telling a friend about how much I’ve learned about nutrition from blogs like Fathead, and how much my health has improved in the past two years. He said he’d rather trust his doctor than a *blogger*. Big surprise!

    In my non-professional opinion, the blogs I read give me far better nutritional information than any doctor I’ve ever been to for medical services. The blogosphere is the happenin’ place for low carb and paleo…

    Plus, as a college dropout, I have no initials to prove I’m cool. I’ve met many people who cannot regard me with the same level of respect they’d give to a person who partied his way through college while I worked hard, learned a trade and read hundreds of books.

    Keep up the good work, Tom!! You no gotta show them no stickin’ badges…

    If only your friend knew how little training most doctors have in nutrition. We don’t need no stinkin’ badges, indeed.

  5. Pokematic

    Tom you need the lab coat. People alwayse trust people in the while lab coats. As a social experiment I want to go around in one, tell people ovious lies about health and science and see if they believe me. I’ll let them in on it at the end of the interview, but just to see.

  6. Pokematic

    Tom you need the lab coat. People alwayse trust people in the while lab coats. As a social experiment I want to go around in one, tell people ovious lies about health and science and see if they believe me. I’ll let them in on it at the end of the interview, but just to see.

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