Commuting - Word of mouth

What makes one an expert? Is it training? Experience? Gifting?

Whatever goes into the development of a bonafide expert in a given area of knowledge, the most important thing to remember is that an expert, while never perfect nor omnicient, is a valuable asset. An expert can dig deep, almost intuitively, from within a vast storehouse of training, experience, knowledge and gifting to bring forth "gems" that others can pocket.

Here is where the often forgotten value of a mentor is realized. A mentor is exactly what I need.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
What makes one an expert?
I only saw this in the form of a quote, so cannot vouch for the source, but it was attributed to Edwin Meese: "An expert is somebody who is more than fifty miles from home,
has no responsibility for implementing the advice he gives, and
shows slides."

On the other hand, there are real experts--and mentors--and yes, it would be great to invite some of those into our lives....

I guess the most memorable mentor I have had, was a college English teacher named Franklin Nelick, at KU ca. 1958-59. He taught poetry and other literature from his heart, and from a broad humanist context, with a forcefulness and passion that permanently woke up the sleepy Midwest minds of his students. His classrooms were packed and non-enrolled students would stand in the back and in the doorway sometimes just to listen.

Thanks, Dr. Nelick. This one's for you. :beer:

Although not a cyclist, I knew a teacher who imparted to me the notion of "avalanche learning." I used the concept and it advanced me in school.

The idea is that when studying, you often don't get it at first. But you study it anyway. If you persist, like snow falling, there will come a time when suddenly an "avalanche" occurs and all that you have read becomes clear.

Wow. It really worked for me!

That makes sense. I suspect part of it involves letting non-conscious areas of the mind digest the material while the conscious part goes ahead with other work--similar to background processing in a computer....

Not quite the same thing, but related: I used to write BASIC programs for fun and also, sometimes, to use at the office.

One night I was working on a routine that I just couldn't get to function. I reached a point where I felt about ready to give up. Decided to take a break and go to the grocery store.

The instant I stepped out into the hallway, a whole page of BASIC code flashed into my head; I went ahead to the grocery store, came back, wrote down what I'd "seen," and it worked!

What was needed was that "giving up," in order to allow what was already conceived but unknown to me, to come to the surface.

That sounds like a news article I read over the weekend. The dot.com work-is-****-routine of no downtime and 70 hour weeks has been shown to be unproductive. I'm a committed 9 to 5er. I think letting the brain unwind, reflect, prescind, and daydream helps the work during down time. I have solved many work-problems while riding and reflecting.

Two things,

Anyone of you ever read "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance" by Robert Pirsig? Excellent book about a lot of things.. and somewhat of a bike perspective. It really does key on definitions and meanings.. I've read it 3 times (which says a lot, most books can't hold me that well.. except Joyce.. gotta love joyce.)


Also, (hate to piggyback, sorry) but I can't post a NEW post, can anyone tell me why? I come up with a "line error".. Anyone?

Pete,
I guess I practice something like avalanche learning. When I get interested in something, I read as much as I can about it. After reading the 3rd or 4th different explanation about something, I finally feel like I have a clear understanding of it. I have never been quite sure if it was just the repetition or that each account often has little details that others have left out so that finally all the pieces seem to fit.
Regards,
Raymond

Originally posted by Pete Clark
A mentor is exactly what I need.

But is their knowledge of the your circumstance defined with your ideals? In a Plato - esq perspective, has he/she had your perspective looking at shadows?

Is experience best lived with a guiding path or, perhaps waldon style, fumbling through and learning all your own?

Originally posted by William Karsten
Is experience best lived with a guiding path or, perhaps waldon style, fumbling through and learning all your own?
Everyone has a spark of genius. I recognize my own genius and also the genius of another. At times, I am a teacher, at other times a student, still at other times, a friend. We all have something unique to contribute. We all have something to learn.

I've yet to realize my genius. My parents wondered of my genus (or that matter, my species at times.). My wife wonders what I'll be when I grow up.

There is much to learn. I forget who said it, but it goes something like "and at the end of the journey, return to the start and know it, for the first time.".. Always stuck with me. I will, as Socrates said, claim to know one thing, that I know nothing, and am always, a pupil... at least in my minds eye.

Biking to work, has for me, given me time to sort out the thoughts that I don't have time to think.. to settle scores, realize what I should have done the day before and try to view things from many perspectives.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
What makes one an expert? Is it training? Experience? Gifting?..............

I like the old saying "An expert is a man who knows 1001 ways to make love, but doesn't know any women" ;)

BTW Pete,

Really great flow of thought and choice of wording.

It really guides the thought well. Some of these ponderables are great, but they float loosely like melted ice cream in a porcelean bowl.

Originally posted by William Karsten
My wife wonders what I'll be when I grow up.

Surely she's not serious???
Why would anyone want to grow up?