Saturday, January 6, 2018

The Death of Expertise

What a timely book this is!  The author's contention that people in the US disregard the advice and information of experts is well presented in this important book.  He discusses not only how people seem proud of the fact that they are uninformed, but he also shows that not all opinions are created equal, despite the conventional wisdom these days.  He takes on higher ed and its failings (even though he is a professor), the internet and its influences, the media and their troubles, and even experts themselves.

His advice to read more quality information, read from several sources, and examine carefully claims made by so-called experts should be fair warning to all.  Unfortunately, this will probably not be a book that is read by the masses but instead by those who already do those things.  I found many examples of myself in the book (I hate to admit it, but it is true), and I gained a great perspective.  I highly recommend this book - it is a fairly quick read and well worth it!

The Holiday Blur

And now it is 2018.  Between Thanksgiving with Diana and Daniel, the Gaskills, and Kenton, Kylie and Chase, a quick trip to KC for Di and Daniel to see Mia and Caleb, and then a KSU game, Daniel quickly found out the Norton family does not let moss grow under its feet.  We had a marvelous time, culminating in a big KSU win.  The weather was perfect for tailgating, and by the time Di and Daniel left for Austin on Sunday, we had had a great weekend.

Pre Christmas was highlighted by a concert by Chris Mann.  It was so fun to be in the audience and see what a great performer he is.  That voice!  On my way into the concert, I hit a pothole and fell flat.  Don said I looked like the Wicked Witch of the West when my cape folded up around me.  I wasn't hurt badly, was able to walk into the concert and back to the car, into the restaurant, and knew I was fine.  Except once I went to bed, my foot stiffened and I literally could not walk.  Luckily, by the next evening it was better and by Monday morning, I would never have known I had fallen . . . except my hand still hurt a bit.  Four weeks later, it was still hurting, so after the x-ray revealed a healing fracture, I am now in a splint.  Oh boy . . . thank goodness it has not been real painful and is almost healed!

Kenneth, Melinda, Mia, and Caleb came down for Christmas, which was a true joy.  Caleb loved my snow globes, the train, and all of the other decorations, and when we lighted the luminarias, he really enjoyed watching them.  Santa's footprint the next morning intrigued him (it is now a plaster cast), and the fact that the reindeer carrots were gone sealed the deal.  Little did Caleb know that Jordy and Nelson had gotten ahold of the carrots long before the reindeer did!  It was hard to say goodbye to them on Tuesday.

Finally we spent New Year's Eve with a group of church friends.  It was a great way to usher in the new year and we are praying this year is a better one than the last.