My other thread sparked thought on advice in general and its sources.
Where and to whom do you turn when you’re unsure and want advice, or just need to discuss/vent whatever is on your mind? This could be an individual, group, or location, RL or virtual (one of the inspirations for this post was my musing on the old truism that an internet full of random strangers is probably one of the worst places to turn to, whether Reddit or this very board, and that its diversity of opinions is probably its greatest strength and weakness at the same time).
I’ve had good luck talking with reference librarians about a wide range of inquiries. I talk to my primary doctor quite frequently about conditions. I talk daily with one of my best friends, a psychologist who’s known me all my life. I also occasionally pay to talk to a straight-fee financial planner and a tax accountant. I purposefully go out of my way to talk to people who are experts who won’t charge me a consultation fee.
Well, yes, I do. They’re not always the same people, and god knows there are plenty of platforms that are known for being wastelands for actual discussion.