# what is your expertise **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841 "2004-04-02T03:15:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Sisyphus\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sisyphus\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sisyphus_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/81 "2004-04-03T22:31:31Z")
I can fix **anything** using only super glue, duct tape and baling wire. That doesn’t help much in General Questions so I read much more there than I contribute. I do ask questions there. Is that an area of expertise? ---
**Author:** ![Emony\_Dax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Emony\_Dax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emony_Dax)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/82 "2004-04-04T02:05:46Z")
_Originally Posted by Emony Dax I’m a financial aid counselor at a large university. I specialize in the student employment/human resources side of it, but can answer lots of fin aid questions. Which University, Baylor?_ Egads, no. I’m a recovering Baptist myself, so you couldn’t get me anywhere near Waco. Well, except that my in-laws live there, but that’s another story. No, this would be a state university. Beyond that, you’ll just have to guess. I’m a coy sort 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Marsie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Marsie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marsie)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/83 "2004-04-04T02:47:41Z")
Public relations and feature writing (popular culture type stuff) for newspapers and magazines. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/84 "2004-04-04T03:01:20Z")
Expertise might be too strong a word, but the genera Lithops and Mammillaria are two of my specialties (obsessions?). I’ve had a number of papers published, and have a world class collection of these plants. I’m also pretty good at science education…physics, biology, and anatomy, but retired now. ---
**Author:** ![hlanelee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@hlanelee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hlanelee)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/85 "2004-04-04T03:01:59Z")
In 1995 I survived a Traumatic Brain Injury. I’m no expert, but I am frequently consulted and speak on disability and recovery and returning to the real world. I am an occaisional advocate for the disabled. People say that being disabled and recovering as well as I have makes me note-worthy on the subject. I am 41 and I am studying civil engineering as all my working skills had been wiped-out and I had a chance to start again. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/86 "2004-04-04T03:27:48Z")
Expertise would be too strong of a word. However, I am a pretty good firefighter and paramedic. I’ve been playing this dual role for 12years now. It is an extremely rewarding field to be a part of. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/87 "2004-04-05T06:23:32Z")
> [@Lissla Lissar](#): > > Please join in. The ushers will be passing through the audience with rawhide whips to insure participation. > > I love Flanders and Swann. Then perhaps, as someone with expertise in Flanders and Swann, you can answer a question that has been plaguing me: In **The First and Second Law** , an exchange occurrs which sounds something like this: “I’m hot” “That’s because you’ve been working” “Ahh, beetle’s nothing”. Can you explain to me what it is that sounds like “ahh, beetle’s nothing”? And what it means? ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/88 "2004-04-05T08:26:57Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > Have spent the last few years admonishing databases (mostly Oracle) Yeah we’ve done some admonishing of Oracle too 🙂 . You’re lucky tho’ - if you’re a DBA and not a developer you’ve probably never had to use Oracle Reports ::runs away screaming:: ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/89 "2004-04-05T12:00:02Z")
Degree’s in comp sci & math. Job is programming. Hobby is waterskiing (slalom, barefoot, and wakeboard). Been a flight instructor for 20-odd years (don’t know whether to count this as job or hobby. I get paid, but not very much). Job history (in rough chronological order): Fast food Gas station attendant (dating myself) Retail sales (JC Penney) Linecrew (fueling airplanes) Sailboat race worker School bus driver Wonder bread route deliveryman Loader/Sorter/Hossler/Driver (at UPS) Offshore pipeliner (actually “drove” a submarine pipelay vessel – Honest! my “coolest” job by far) Flight Instructor Computer Sales Contract Engineer (aka. “job shopper”) I can probably answer questions on the above subjects, but I hesitate to use the word “expertise”. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/90 "2004-04-05T13:22:12Z")
I know a fair bit about a lot of mundane daily living things. I can teach people to do things that most everyone already knows how to do. This usually ends up being a bit more useful than you might expect, since while most everyone knows how to do most of the stuff, everyone has a few things that they can’t do. I know a bit more than necessary about “The Lord of the Rings” and “Silmarillion” but I am not well read in the works collected after Tolkien’s death. I am willing to do the arithmetic when people make broad claims regarding the size or extent of some aspect of the world or universe, to see just how high the sky really is. I have a calculator, and use it. I am often able to distinguish between knowledge and opinion. Sometimes that ability extends even to my own knowledge and opinions. ## Tris “Write a wise saying and your name will live forever.” ~ Anonymous ~ ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/91 "2004-04-05T13:56:53Z")
I’m extremely good at making inappropriate comments, but I try not to do that too much on here. Any useful stuff I know is fairly eclectic. I know a fair amount about finance, fraud, copyright, internet stuffs and IT, but I find I get beaten to the answer most of the time. I’ve got a good understanding of icky stuff from working in mortuaries, and I love kitty cats. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/92 "2004-04-05T15:09:33Z")
**HIJACK** **pullin** I challenge you! What is the hardest thing about driving a bus load of kids? ( I’m toying with the idea of becoming a substitute driver in my area and need to know the plus/minus factor.) And,directed to the doper that posted this…who are \*\*Flanders and Swann \*\*? \*\*This concludes the Hijack. Please resume touting your expertise. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/93 "2004-04-05T15:32:29Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > Expert in recounting exactly how many ways the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been able to lose games at the last minute. :eek: Roughriders…hehe. The only think saving you from a stream of burning criticisms directed at your team is that the Blue Bombers are well on their way to usurping the 'Riders claim to the choke title. Back to the thread: Application developer here. I know it’s just a fancy term for computer programmer but I’m in a small IT shop and got to pick my title. Plus I manage projects from start to finish as I’m the only programmer. I guess that qualifies me as having professional knowledge on programming and development, with a side of database design and networking as I’m the DBA and the Network Admin as well. Away from work I can generally hold my own in riddles, logic puzzles and cryptograms. I read any book I can get my hands on that I think will teach me something. LOTR and Sherlock Holmes are probably the two stories I’ve read in the past decade. As a kid, I would read encyclopedias so I’m another person that doesn’t get too many offers to play trivial pursuit. However, I believe I’d get wiped playing against any dopers. I don’t really believe in calculators as I think people should be able to do simple math without a computer so I’m pretty good at head calculations. I used to race the cashier at the grocery store while she was ringing up the groceries (before the scanner took over and I couldn’t win). I have a photographic memory and can pretty much read the answers to an exam question off the back of my eyelids. While that doesn’t make me an expert in anything, it does allow me to seem smarter than I am because I can recall virtually everything I come in contact with in great detail. I literally never forget a face 🙂 The only topic I would consider myself an expert in is hockey strategy with a special interest in goaltending styles and theory. I’ve grown up playing and studying the game. I also like hockey history but I’m more inclined to study a forechecking system than I am to remember who played right wing with Gordie Howe (trick question anyway so don’t look it up). ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/94 "2004-04-05T16:01:54Z")
Hi Shirley Ujest (cool name btw) I contemplated several humorous responses to your question about the “hardest thing about driving a busload of kids”, but decided to be serious. I drove kids from a really, really bad area of town (they were bussed across to a nicer school), and it was kinda hard just to watch them leave the bus for their hellhole of a home some days. Occasionally one would “break the rules” and I would need to report them to the school officials. After watching the way one “father” dealt with it (the kid was terrified to go home, crying etc.), I stopped even that, and just tried to keep them under control myself. I found out 2 smaller kids were getting attacked/bullied every day and started delivering them directly to their door (in violation of policy). Some days I felt more like a warden than a bus driver. If you’re in a less-blighted area, it’s really not a bad job (I had a route on the other side of town, too). It works great if you’re in school (you work a coupla hours early, and a coupla hours in the afternoon, you’re free for classes during the day). I guess the hardest thing about the actual driving, was dealing with the noise. Good Luck. Pullin PS sorry 'bout the hijack everybody. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/95 "2004-04-05T17:28:23Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > And,directed to the doper that posted this…who are \*\*Flanders and Swann \*\*? Well, I’m not that poster, but I’ll answer anyhow… **Michael Flanders** and **Donald Swann** were a team of English comedic songwriters from approximately the 1950s who were notable for their extremely erudite humor and very clever lyrics. More info about them can be found [here](http://www.nyanko.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/fas/). If songs about the first and second law of thermodynamics are up your alley, I definitely suggest you give them a listen. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/96 "2004-04-05T20:07:33Z")
> [@jeevwoman](#): > > _The Brady Bunch_. I am really, really good on _The Brady Bunch_. And being that I spent most of my childhood in front of the tv, I am great with 80s tv stuff, in general. Me, too. And _Friends_ and Seinfeld\* trivia. I can do that. What else? I teach nursery school, and I’m a parent, so I can do the kid stuff. I can answer migraine questions. My husband and I have done a lot of home remodeling, so I can do that, too. I read a lot, and have tons of useless knowledge rattling around in my brain. All it means is that I’m in the “No one will play Trivial Pursuit with me!” club, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/97 "2004-04-05T20:26:47Z")
Ecology, botany, GIS (geographic information systems,) relational databases. Published a book with World Wildlife Fund a few years ago on North American aquatic biodiversity, did part of the GIS on their study of Indo-Malay birds. I caught two eastern worm snakes in one day this past weekend. A lot of lifelong herpetologists can’t say they’ve seen even one. Oh, and an American narrowmouth toad, and a huuuuuge northern red salamander (now, if only **Pseudotriton ruber ruber** would visit this thread.) 🙂 I’m also a fearful music snob, and not too bad with food. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/98 "2004-04-05T21:23:53Z")
I’m a music promoter and musician specializing in jam and acoustic oriented genres. I also have worked extensively as a photographer and graphic designer specializing in the music industry (album & poster design, concert and studio promotional photography) I spent six years as a touring musician myself, so I’ve logged quite a bit of road time. I publish a local independent music paper, so I’m well versed in the trials and tribulations of independent publication So I guess I’d be considered an expert on the following topics: Music Theory & Performance Music Business and Promotion, especially regarding Jam based music Tour Promotion & the logistics of touring Photography, especially live concert photography Grassroots marketing and promotion Album and poster design Artist Management Local, regional and national booking Music Industry PR and media relations Jam Bands - small and large Festival and event promotion A lot of my artists are heavily involved in the reform of marijuana laws and medical marijuana, and consequently my company works extensively with NORML and Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP). So I _might_ be able to answer some questions regarding legalization, or at least point you in the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/99 "2004-04-05T22:11:06Z")
I was born and raised in Poland, so there’s that. Any Polish pronounciation questions, food identification, stuff like that, I’m all over it. I like to think I’m pretty well-informed on the subject of Korean pop culture, and maybe even the language. Movies and music are really more my area, though. Public restrooms of New York City. Although I’m certainly not the biggest expert, I have quite a bit of experience in the matter. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841/100 "2004-04-06T03:09:01Z")
> [@iampunha](#): > > Go ahead. Ask me anything about the Atlanta Braves or Paddington Bear. > > [sub]See, not many people ever do, so I get away with looking a LOT brighter than I actually am.[/sub] How many birthdays does Paddington have? I am a molecular biologist but I am frankly not up to date with the literature. I have a ton of real world lab experience but that hardly ever comes up here. I have a fair bit of book knowledge about North American wildlife, especially birds, and birds in general but there are people on the boards who know far more. I can discuss downhill skiing and Chinese cuisine pretty knowledgeably. I am a pretty sizeable Tolkien geek but again there are people here who put me to shame. My specialty is obscure aspects of _The Hobbit_ and _Lord of the Rings_…the parts that people tend to forget, the edges of the stories, as it were. I used to know the \*Star Trek \* universe pretty well but the knowledge I did have is fading from not having watched any episodes in about 4 years, and I know nothing about Enterprise, and very little of any of the novels. Oh, I know a fair bit about popular music from roughly 1963 to 1995, with special emphasis on 80s New Wave/Alternative. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-expertise/237841.md?page=6)