EPISODE · Sep 12, 2025 · 57 MIN
The "Expertise" Crisis
from Hotel Bar Sessions · host Leigh M. Johnson, Jennifer Kling, Bob Vallier
Today, there seems to be an intense distrust of experts in all sorts of fields. From medical experts in the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services, to “elite intellectuals” at Universities and Colleges, no one who has expertise is beyond suspicion. We hear that we should “do our own research” and not trust what those with training and knowledge tell us. What makes an expert legitimate? What’s the difference between the skepticism that drives science and the suspicion that denies that the experts know? How do we design institutions that are both scientifically rigorous and also democratically responsive and responsible? Let’s talk about how knowledge should be organized, disseminated, and structured so that it benefits the most in a democratic society.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/the-expertise-crisis---------------------SUBSCRIBE to the podcast now to automatically download new episodes when Season 14 begins in September!SUPPORT Hotel Bar Podcast on Patreon here! (Or by contributing one-time donations here!)JOIN our (new) Discord server here and participate in our monthly (LIVE) chats, beginning in Season 14!BOOKMARK the Hotel Bar Sessions website here for detailed show notes and reading lists, and contact any of our co-hosts here.Hotel Bar Sessions is also on Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky, and TikTok. Like, follow, share, duet, whatever... just make sure your friends know about us! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
What this episode covers
Today, there seems to be an intense distrust of experts in all sorts of fields. From medical experts in the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services, to “elite intellectuals” at Universities and Colleges, no one who has expertise is beyond suspicion. We hear that we should “do our own research” and not trust what those with training and knowledge tell us. What makes an expert legitimate? What’s the difference between the skepticism that drives science and the suspicion that denies that the experts know? How do we design institutions that are both scientifically rigorous and also democratically responsive and responsible? Let’s talk about how knowledge should be organized, disseminated, and structured so that it benefits the most in a democratic society.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/the-expertise-crisis---------------------SUBSCRIBE to the podcast now to automatically download new episodes when Season 14 begins in September!SUPPORT Hotel Bar Podcast on Patreon here! (Or by contributing one-time donations here!)JOIN our (new) Discord server here and participate in our monthly (LIVE) chats, beginning in Season 14!BOOKMARK the Hotel Bar Sessions website here for detailed show notes and reading lists, and contact any of our co-hosts here.Hotel Bar Sessions is also on Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky, and TikTok. Like, follow, share, duet, whatever... just make sure your friends know about us! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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The "Expertise" Crisis
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