experts

an expert is someone who claims to know more about a certain subject than you. an expert thinks you are idiot.

since the beginning of civilization, there have been experts. someone was happily busy making his clay pots, until an expert came along who said "whoa whoa - that's how you make clay pots? you've got it all wrong. you're using the wrong kind of clay, you're technique is rudimentary, it's all wrong. let me show you how to really make a clay pot." and so, the expert earned a living telling people how to make clay pots properly, while also selling his special kind of clay.

today, experts are still busy telling all of the beginners what to do and how to do it. pick any hobby and there will be someone waiting to sell you the necessary equipment to fully experience this hobby. take something as simple as walking - you cannot just go out and walk. you need walking shoes, walking pants, even walking poles when necessary. you also need to master certain walking techniques - you can't move your arms that way! better ask an expert.

i have decided that most things - hobbies, crafts, talents - are generally quite easy. i'm not saying that playing one of bach's organ fugues is easy, but with enough practice, i'm sure you could do it. experts, however, will tell you otherwise. if you want to get into photography, you can't just grab a camera and start taking pictures. you need a $4,000 slr, the right lenses, filters, photohsop, etc. if you want to record an album, you can't just borrow a microphone and a tape machine and get to it. you need better equipment, the right technique, and lots of money. talent has little to do with it.

experts have convinced me to buy certain things, do things a certain way, but deep down, those recordings i made back when i did not know what i was doing still sound the best to me. most experts are not experts when it comes to experimentation, however.