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Are you an expert in anything?

Started by The Burgomaster, December 09, 2009, 11:10:13 AM

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The Burgomaster

Throughout my life, I've run into many people (friends or otherwise) who were very skilled or extremely knowledgeable about something.  The RPG thread in the Entertainment forum made me think of this.

For example, way back when I used to play D&D, there were 2 or 3 guys in my group who I swear had nearly memorized everything about D&D.  They must have read every D&D manual that was ever released about a dozen times each.  It seemed like every time we looked something up in the Dungeonmaster's Guide or Monster Manual or wherever, they knew the exact answer before we looked it up.

Do you have this sort of "over the top" knowledge (or skill or expertise or whatever) about anything?  The closest I can come is talking about movies (although, I don't have a totally comprehensive catalogue of everything in my mind like those D&D players had).  Whenever movies come up in conversation, I can usually say something like, "Yeah, that's the same guy who directed [movie title]," or "She was in [movie title] several years befor she became famous.  She's the girl sitting at the table in the coffee shop when [actor] spills his coffee."  Also, I can usually come within a year or so of guessing a movie's year of release.  People at work are stunned when we are talking about movies, for instance, old monster movies, and I blurt out, "That one came out in 1957."  (Although, that's pretty easy . . . it seems like MOST of the monster movies I watch came out in 1957!)

Any way . . . what can you contribute here?  I think it's more interesting if your expertise is in something useless (like knowledge of movies or D&D rules) than something that could actually benefit mankind.



"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone."

Mr. DS

For me its hard to say because I always find theres someone better than me at something I thought I was an expert at.  :bluesad:
DarkSider's Realm
http://darksidersrealm.blogspot.com/

"You think the honey badger cares?  It doesn't give a sh*t."  Randall

Trevor

#2
In primary school, a colleague of mine, Nicholas Haggett called me the "dilly daft defining dictionary". I have always had a head full of info.

As far as being an expert, I can never claim to be an expert on anything, although colleagues in and clients of our local film industry readily acknowledge me as an expert on our 114 year old industry. Claims such as this always embarass the sh*t out of me: I'm just a guy who knows a little about films.

I've put this knowledge into a book which I'm trying to get published.
We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness.

3mnkids

Im an expert at being completely unremarkable.  :smile:
There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far~ ruminations

Saucerman

I make darn good Parmesan Garlic Bread. 

Psycho Circus

Heavy Metal, oral sex and applying make-up.  :wink:

The Burgomaster

"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone."

Newt

(How is anyone supposed to be able to follow that? ^  :lookingup: )

Horses.  I am 'expert' in things equestrian.  I would not claim to be 'expert' in the other things I am good at; just on the subject of horses.  And even then, I am always learning more.
"May I offer you a Peek Frean?" - Walter Bishop
"Thank you for appreciating my descent into deviant behavior, Mr. Reese." - Harold Finch

JaseSF

I seem to know more about professional wrestling and its history that most other people I've ever met. I also seem to usually possess more knowledge about 1950s Sci-Fi movies than most.
"This above all: To thine own self be true!"

Psycho Circus


Criswell

My movie knowledge is usually met with, "why do you know this" and such

Ed, Ego and Superego

Quote from: The DarkSider on December 09, 2009, 12:31:01 PM
For me its hard to say because I always find theres someone better than me at something I thought I was an expert at.  :bluesad:
Ditto...see you even beat me at this!
-Ed
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?

Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

SPazzo

Quote from: Ed, Just Ed on December 09, 2009, 04:27:08 PM
Quote from: The DarkSider on December 09, 2009, 12:31:01 PM
For me its hard to say because I always find theres someone better than me at something I thought I was an expert at.  :bluesad:
Ditto...see you even beat me at this!
-Ed

Me three! :bluesad:

Though I try to say that I'm good at Photography.  The only problem is that everywhere I look I see people taking waaaay better pictures.  But if I'm in my immediate circle of "friends" I'm pretty damn good.

lester1/2jr

not an expert but I am a decent politics pugilist, guitar player and know a thing or two about bad movies

Mr. DS

#14
Ok honestly, heres what I think I'm good at;
Humor, sarcasm, writing, fishing, 80s pop culture, my job and a few other things...oh and vegetable gardening...but I learn something new every year in that field I find.
DarkSider's Realm
http://darksidersrealm.blogspot.com/

"You think the honey badger cares?  It doesn't give a sh*t."  Randall