Survival "experts"

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fogelmanc

Joined
Sep 10, 2010
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just wanted to get your opinions, but is it even possible to be a survival "expert?" IMO, the term seems kind of ignorant. I just don't think that anyone can know everything there is to know, which is what 'expert' implies. just looking for some healthy opinions, thanks.:confused:
 
A quick look in my Webster's dictionary defines an expert as one who is very skillful or informed.
 
fogelmanc said:
just wanted to get your opinions, but is it even possible to be a survival "expert?" IMO, the term seems kind of ignorant. I just don't think that anyone can know everything there is to know, which is what 'expert' implies. just looking for some healthy opinions, thanks.:confused:
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That's not an expert, that's a "survival know it all" and there is plenty of those on TV. :)
 
No Sir

an EXPERT does not mean "one who knows it all"

I am in Expert in many things--but would never claim to know it all.

Nor have I ever met an Expert in ANY field that claimed to know it all.
 
When a person has an accredited degree of expertize in a subject, be it academic and/or practical, they may reasonably be deemed to have become an expert in that field.

It would be naive to assume that any 'Expert' knows absolutely everything within any field, however, some people present themselves as 'Experts' and behave as though they are!

The web makes it easier for them...
 
In our state(for courts) an "expert" is someone who knows more about a subject than the normal or average person. To me that is someone that is knowledgeable.
 
WILLIAM.M said:
No Sir

an EXPERT does not mean "one who knows it all"

I am in Expert in many things--but would never claim to know it all.

Nor have I ever met an Expert in ANY field that claimed to know it all.
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I agree.

An "expert" realizes that they don't know it all, therefore they are always looking for that next bit of information/skill/advice that educates them that much more IMHO. I'm an "expert" brick mason. Been doing it for 16 years. I certainly DO NOT know all there is to know however. As soon as you think you know it ALL..... you'll be reminded that you DON'T!;)
 
I consider myself a good bushman and hunter, I have been called an expert in the bush however I never stop learning and no matter how good I get at something theres always room for improvment, a true expert keeps an open mind and is willing to listen an learn, a know it all already knows everything and his way is the right way.

some of the truly great teachers in my life all said you never stop learning and theres no substitute for practice

Since browsing this forum thanks to all the members here Ive learnt heaps of good stuff, I have my way of doing things but if someone comes up with a better or more easier way to tackle a task or make life more comfortable in the field thanks very much I will take it!!
 
There are indeed many experts out there, also a lot of know it alls. Just make sure not to mix them up. :eek:
 
An expert is just an individual who has achieved a high level of capability, experience and knowledge in a given area. There is no one on the face of this planet who knows it all. Nor who is never stumped.
 
Perhaps you might try to define the word "survival." For example: If you take a man who has lived his entire life in the jungle and bring him to the USA he would have a hard time surviving. You, on the other hand, might be (to him) an expert. You can negotiate super highways and can shop in super markets and know how to use a computer etc.. He would be at a complete loss and without aid would not survive. However, if you were to journey to the jungles and be left alone I doubt that you would survive for long...no matter how much of an expert you believe yourself to be. In between it all is the factor of chance. You might, despite your expertise, be wiped out on the expressway tomorrow. And our jungle dwelling friend might get swept away by a hungry jaguar no matter how adept he is at jungle living. You'll hear the television "experts" constantly speak of "survival situations." I've always considered their ramblings somewhat one-dimensional because their definitions are so narrowly and naively contrived. So perhaps we should define an expert as follows: You are an expert when you no longer have to think about the place you happen to be at the time as "surviving." You are simply living. Just like you do everyday when you get up and drive to work. May I suggest that getting from point A to point B on the highway everyday, without really thinking about it, makes you one hell of an expert in a truly survival situation. That is exactly how our jungle dwelling friend thinks of his life everyday in the jungle. He is an expert there, and you are an expert here. If you have to think of anything as "surviving" then you are not an expert.
 
I'm an expert in knowing that I am not an expert about everything...I know a lot about a little, but a little about a lot
 
I have successfully survived in this harsh world for 28 consecutive years and counting...

Does that make me an expert at survival? ;)

JGON
 
JGON said:
I have successfully survived in this harsh world for 28 consecutive years and counting...

Does that make me an expert at survival? ;)

JGON
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Perhaps you are just lucky?

Which brings me to a serious answer.

Perhaps 'Experts' do not rely on good luck and knows how to deal with bad luck.

A Master-craftsman/Expert does not know all the answers, but he knows how to successfully problem solve new situations.
 
so basically, a self proclaimed expert with a know it all attitude is not one to be trusted...

thanks for all the replies so far:D
 
fogelmanc said:
just wanted to get your opinions, but is it even possible to be a survival "expert?" IMO, the term seems kind of ignorant. I just don't think that anyone can know everything there is to know, which is what 'expert' implies. just looking for some healthy opinions, thanks.:confused:
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IMO, it's going to depend on whether you are talking about the "internet & TV" or reality :D

After all, there are several "experts" that make it into any number of lounge rooms every week. lmoa :D

BTW, just look at the one who is universally hailed as the "real deal", who is also commonly known on the internet as "the starving man" :D

Now here is a "survival expert" who doesn't appear to be able to keep himself fed, even after receiving advice from local experts before he ventures out with his camera to film :eek:

Is this really the case, or is he just trying to make "a connection" with most of his viewers who can relate to this?





Kind regards
Mick
 
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There are five phases of competency (or expertise) and unfortunately we ALL are ALWAYS at one of these phases throughout our entire life. No one person can "know" or be able to "do" everything. We may be able to master a given task and/or accumulate a lot of knowledge but we cannot know or do everything even in one discipline, topic, or subject matter:

1. Unconscious Incompetence - "We don't know, what we don't know" - This is where you don't know something and/or can't do something effectively and you "don't know that you don't know it until someone reveals it too you!" I see this on this forum all the time from people's testimonies or descriptions about a given task or perspective about a topic or in their photos about things, tasks or subjects where I'm at level 4 or 5 on. For example: I can tell by looking at a person's campsite layout or their construction of their camp fire if they're unconsciously incompetent about a given task that I've mastered. The poster is all proud of their camp or fire and post a photo of it but are unaware of how ignorant they are about a given aspect of the camp site or fire construction - this is an example

2. Conscious Incompetence - "We just discovered we don't know something whether or not we'll openly or secretly admit it to ourselves and/or others

3. Conscious Competence - "We can do it or know it but we have to have it at the foremost in our thought process" - we may need a job aid, or a coach to help us to be (or become) successful. This is where a mentor, coach, instructor or school really helps.

4. Unconscious Competence - "We know it or are have it so mastered it so well, we can do the task without thinking about it (from muscle memory)

5. Intentionally Incompetent - "We're so arrogant that even though we know we don't know something or can't do something we'll just bluff and muddle our way through it -and brag about how magnificent we are on the Internet"

It is my experience the very best instructors or "masters" of a given topic are the best students. These are the folks who are willing to pony up the time, money, discipline, and humility to put themselves at risk of discovering they're at level 1 by attending a class, lecture, or by hanging out with others who are equally or more competent then they are. Even doctor's go to conferences and symposiums to hone their skills and to have their thoughts challenged. Rabbit Stick for example is a place where level 1's-4's from the primitive survival discipline can learn from one another if they're not at level 5 in their mindset already.

Those who are or remain at level 1 or 5 are those who refuse or "don't need" education or training either in a formal classroom setting or by mentoring with a bonafide expert/master. Rather they chose to just muddle along by themselves or with other level 1 or 2 individuals who make them feel superiour. Now there is nothing wrong with the latter but one must admit to themselves they're probably at or will remain at level 1, 2, or even 5 most of their lives. Most of us cannot become a true level 4 by DIY as we all need our skills honed, humbled, and sharpened if we want to remain a true level 4.
 
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TheGame said:
There are indeed many experts out there, also a lot of know it alls. Just make sure not to mix them up. :eek:
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But how to tell the difference? This could be a fun topic for this thread.

I suggest the expert is the guy who responds to off-the-wall questions with "I don't know...let's think about it." It shows he's thinking, inventorying what he knows, and isn't relying on a programmed response.

The know-it-all begins answering every question with "That's easy! Here's what you do...."
 
In my experience, a true expert is not the guy who throws out or uses what he has on his DD214 as his primary credential, or any other "I did this or I was here" or is the first to speak up of how to do something. They usually just let their results, skills and total package of experience do the talking for them.

Next time you're in a class or group of people or with more than just a couple folks notice the person who generally is one of the quietest or is just standing off a bit, is either a complete overwhelm novice (but you can tell by looking at them) or a true master who is being a humble observer or student. Masters generally are very polite, humble, patient, and they have a tremendous about of depth to them. Wanna be's and entry level experts are superficial and quick to jump in and want to save the world or help.

I am not an expert at anything but I know several actually. And when we attend classes together, they have a motto...keep your mouth shut and your eyes, mind, and ears wide open. If the instructor is full of rubbish they won't say anything but will participate fully with an open mind. Then after class during the AAR they'll start pointing out all the "making stuff up - MSU" garbage the instructor touted and also what they picked up, learned or discovered they are unconsciously incompetent in.

Here is what I'm seeing...folks who graduate from some school or discipline. They come back and by rote try to teach everyone what they've learned. All they are doing is regurgitating what their instructor taught them. They have no depth, no experience, no alternatives, no disappointments, set-backs or been embarrased when things went terribly wrong. These are "Instructor Experts"

True teachers - they have been at this trade/discipline for so long; they've experienced disappointment, setbacks, embarrasement, and seen their friends or students fail because of their shortcomings...they are a full time "humble" student and they have a great depth of knowledge so if one method doesn't produce results another one will. They find reasons to help people succed not excuses for them to fail. These folks are full time students - constantly learning, relearning, and evolving their craft. These folks are true experts. Usually true experts don't see the limelight...although it can certainly come to them.
 
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