I encounter countless experts on endless subjects. Foreign policy, medical freedom, pretty much anything in the sphere of politics you can think of. Being able to interview these experts on my podcast, Free Man Beyond the Wall, is something that brings me not only joy, but educates me on subjects of which I never thought I could have even the slightest comprehension. But my “favorite expert” is the one who suffers from what I call, “I Know A” Syndrome.
The very first article I wrote for the Libertarian Institute was on police reform. Ten or eleven years ago I realized that in addition to the local police officer being the man or woman down the street, they were also the strong arm of the State. Politicians pass laws and police enforce them. In most cases the police officer doesn’t care whether the law is un-Constitutional, or even immoral; they are there to do a job and, as many have told me, if I have a problem with them carrying out their duties, I should vote for better politicians. This is a clear admission that they know the politicians whose laws they are enforcing are corrupt.
When I release these articles, or am critical of police, someone inevitably objects, “I know a cop and they’re a good person!” Are they now? When I ask if people are familiar with what police do on a daily basis for a paycheck, someone always retorts with, “I’ve been on a ride along and seen it firsthand!” Have you really? Of course that police officer wouldn’t alter their behavior when an outsider was watching, would they? Employees never act differently when they know someone’s watching. No, never.
When the world started to change 16 months ago in response to the government’s actions to combat the CV19 “epidemic,” the “I know a” experts were out in full force. Everyone who had a friend who was a doctor or a sister who was a nurse knew exactly what was coming and what needed to be done. When the results of the “pandemic” turned out to be NOWHERE near as bad as these experts were predicting, did any of them apologize or even try to walk it back?
I’ve been doing episodes on vaccine safety and “informed choice” for years now. I catch hell from the most hardcore “anarchists.” Many have that one family member who’s an expert (doctor or nurse) on vaccines and are ready to school you. When you bring up that their education on vaccines consisted of half a day’s classes in school, and that they get their continuing education on the subject from pharmaceutical representatives, they either have nothing to say or call you a kook. The latter is more common.
Now, I’m not saying that because I conduct interviews with people that I’m an expert on every subject on which I talk or write. But I do make sure that the people I’m talking to have thoroughly researched the material. That’s a far cry from “I know a...” Especially if that so-called expert that they “know” has done nowhere near the research and continuing education that my expert has. One can be engaged in an occupation and not know all the ins and outs of every aspect. That’s what specialists are for.
My, now deceased, father... was in the Italian State police force 40 years ago. He hated it. He always told me the force was still full of "remanences" from the fascist regime of Mussolini. People who made it in the higher ranks were too often illiterate individuals with at the most 5 grade level education. "Yes Sir", brown noses type of people. Dad really detested the police force, he was not even a cop but a morse code specialist, and worked at the central offices. He never wanted any of us to become a policeman.
He eventually left the police after 15 years becasue the superiors always harrassed him about groing a marxist beard......That was not really the reason I suspect. Dad told me that the Italian police still used interrogation type of tactics more suitable for a dictatorial violent regime. They beat people up all the times......
I think this is true police culture in many places, meaning in many countries, not just Italy.
I always call those fuckers out.