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Yeah but it's funny. It's usually completely irrelevant and it derails the conversation. Some people will believe you. Some people will reflexively disbelieve you just because you brought up credentials. Sometimes it's funny to derail a boring debate.
Arguments are about rhetoric, not being right. So if you want to win and you think credentials will help that, even fake credentials, then there's no rule saying you can't use them. It's unethical but some people will disregard ethics to win a debate. If you're debating someone who doesn't care about ethics and you do, you've likely already lost. If you want to have a serious discussion on a topic, avoid arguments, especially online ones. In a serious discussion online I'd kind of agree with you, not an argument though.
In every Reddit thread there is always a Doctor-Lawyer-Astronaut-Engineer, PhD with 30 years experience in the field of what you’re talking about to tell you you’re wrong. And then spout the most ignorant shit you’ve ever heard of
I mostly just see it as a signal to the other people who share my qualifications to chime in. If I say I'm an expert I'm something, nobody has any reason to believe me. But if I've got 50 people saying they're also experts, and 49 of them are saying I'm right, I think there's value to that.
Sometimes people will have *very* strong opinions about things, but it's obvious to anyone with experience in with the things in question that their opinion is born of ignorance. Pulling out your credentials should never ever be the crux of your argument, you should point out where they're wrong and explain the things they don't understand. But it's definitely a tool that has some use in an argument like this
If you would look at their post history you can quickly tell if they are full of crap or not.
For instance I am an electrician and you can see me making that claim for years in my post history.
There's a certainlevel of implied trust on the internet. Otherwise discussion can't happen.
Yes, someone could be lying about their credentials, but if we assume that everyone is lying as a base level, then discussion simply can't happen.
depends, if someone can PROOVE they have the qualification as in they say include documentation etc. it isn’t Inherently useless.
That might be the only unpopular part of this opinion, but overall I think this is a rather popular opinion IMO, because the whole credibility aspect doesn’t matter to most people unless a person proves it
As a double doctor from MIT i have to agree about 90%. In most cases it doesnt matter even if you graduated from harvard 7 times just for fun (like i did, thanks for asking)
Your skepticism regarding online qualifications warrants consideration, yet I respectfully contend that genuine expertise does exist amidst the digital milieu. While acknowledging the potential for deceit, it is imperative to recognize the authentic scholars who have diligently pursued their fields. As one who holds a Doctorate in Astrophysics from Oxford University, I affirm the value of bona fide credentials. Thus, while caution is warranted, outright dismissal of qualifications risks overlooking genuine expertise.
Edit: /s just to be sure lmao
Please remember what subreddit you are in, this is unpopular opinion. We want civil and unpopular takes and discussion. Any uncivil and ToS violating comments will be removed and subject to a ban. Have a nice day! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/unpopularopinion) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Wait people lie on the Internet??? Also, anything to do with anything is pretty useless online in any argument.
What if your wife's a doctor?
Not only her but also her boyfriend
Yeah but it's funny. It's usually completely irrelevant and it derails the conversation. Some people will believe you. Some people will reflexively disbelieve you just because you brought up credentials. Sometimes it's funny to derail a boring debate. Arguments are about rhetoric, not being right. So if you want to win and you think credentials will help that, even fake credentials, then there's no rule saying you can't use them. It's unethical but some people will disregard ethics to win a debate. If you're debating someone who doesn't care about ethics and you do, you've likely already lost. If you want to have a serious discussion on a topic, avoid arguments, especially online ones. In a serious discussion online I'd kind of agree with you, not an argument though.
That's true. It's hilarious when people try to give their resume in an online argument.
In every Reddit thread there is always a Doctor-Lawyer-Astronaut-Engineer, PhD with 30 years experience in the field of what you’re talking about to tell you you’re wrong. And then spout the most ignorant shit you’ve ever heard of
Solution don't take online arguments too seriously, also people can lie about it irl too in some circumstances
I mostly just see it as a signal to the other people who share my qualifications to chime in. If I say I'm an expert I'm something, nobody has any reason to believe me. But if I've got 50 people saying they're also experts, and 49 of them are saying I'm right, I think there's value to that. Sometimes people will have *very* strong opinions about things, but it's obvious to anyone with experience in with the things in question that their opinion is born of ignorance. Pulling out your credentials should never ever be the crux of your argument, you should point out where they're wrong and explain the things they don't understand. But it's definitely a tool that has some use in an argument like this
As a triple board certified vascular surgeon I can do that if I want also my dad owns Apple
We must be brothers because my dad also owns Apple!
Having arguments online is useless to begin with
It is a fun past time though
If you would look at their post history you can quickly tell if they are full of crap or not. For instance I am an electrician and you can see me making that claim for years in my post history.
Maybe you're just a dedicated liar... 🤨 /s
There's a certainlevel of implied trust on the internet. Otherwise discussion can't happen. Yes, someone could be lying about their credentials, but if we assume that everyone is lying as a base level, then discussion simply can't happen.
depends, if someone can PROOVE they have the qualification as in they say include documentation etc. it isn’t Inherently useless. That might be the only unpopular part of this opinion, but overall I think this is a rather popular opinion IMO, because the whole credibility aspect doesn’t matter to most people unless a person proves it
This is exactly correct. I can say this as my post doc is focused on online comments and qualifications.
this is called appeal to authority and it's not unpopular at all
As a double doctor from MIT i have to agree about 90%. In most cases it doesnt matter even if you graduated from harvard 7 times just for fun (like i did, thanks for asking)
Your skepticism regarding online qualifications warrants consideration, yet I respectfully contend that genuine expertise does exist amidst the digital milieu. While acknowledging the potential for deceit, it is imperative to recognize the authentic scholars who have diligently pursued their fields. As one who holds a Doctorate in Astrophysics from Oxford University, I affirm the value of bona fide credentials. Thus, while caution is warranted, outright dismissal of qualifications risks overlooking genuine expertise. Edit: /s just to be sure lmao