It's Time To Trust Your Own Senses and Judgment.

[Prina]

I do like hanging out here, it develops trust in humanity!

And for those times you don't trust in humanity:

A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every one from offering advice unless he asks it; but, however, he ought to be a constant inquirer, and afterwards a patient listener concerning the things of which he inquired
-Machiavelli

 

[tiboy]

And for those times you don't trust in humanity:

A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every one from offering advice unless he asks it; but, however, he ought to be a constant inquirer, and afterwards a patient listener concerning the things of which he inquired
-Machiavelli

Does that advice continue once one becomes the artist formally known as prince?

I do love me a Machiavelli quote. I was going to recommend reading or re-reading The Prince until I remembered the original premise of the thread.

 

[shinksma]

The type of "expert advice" that I like is the kind that says "you may want to consider these elements that you might otherwise overlook" or "while this particular bit is important to many people, this other bit may be important to a different, smaller group of people instead, so look at everything to find what is important to you, but also to appreciate what is important to others, even if not important to you."

i.e. not so much "expert advice" but more "sage counselling".

If you know nothing of a topic (e.g. buying a car for the first time, maybe never having been involved in your parents' or friends' experiences of their cars) then stuff like Consumers Reports can act as an initial filter to help guide some practical decisions. e.g. it is possibly quite relevant that certain recent models/trims of Hyundai and Kia are very easily stolen due to a very weak security system approach to keep costs down. (That very subject came up today for a relative looking to buy a used car.) At that stage, it is no worse than asking any of your friends who you perceive as knowledgeable in those areas (or maybe observing that those people seem to have very bad selection/decisions regarding such products, and therefore should act as a warning of what to avoid!).

But most people build up opinions based on personal experience, and would only refer to Consumers Reports for confirmation bias.

 

[FragileThunder]

Great post @László

I am confounded by the need to have someone else's stamp of approval to determine what YOU like. I spent a good chuck of my professional career in an industry where beyond the standard of manufacturing quality (i.e., is the product made properly, without discernible and avoidable flaws), the question of how GOOD the product might be was entirely subjective. Yet people constantly wanted my professional opinion on what was "best". The products in question are adult beverages. My standard response of "You should drink what YOU like" was most often met with a face of disappointment. This usually resulted in my feeling obligated to provide some long-winded, mildly apologetic and technical response about the breadth of options, variances in people's abilities to perceive flavors, and repeatedly stating that MY opinion shouldn't really matter beyond an assessment of whether or not the product was indeed well made (a technical distinction that we can at least apply measurable standards to).

Now, this is the response to someone who I DON'T know anything about, who values my opinion only because of my being the perceived "expert". If my closest friend, who I've know for 50 years and I know in my soul what his preferences are...if he asks? Well it is a different question then, really, because we have an established level of trust based on years of mutual, shared experience.

So while I am an expert on the subject MATTER, that doesn't make me an expert in what is best for you. Make up your own damned mind. If you like it, then it's good. Whether I like it or not. And truthfully, even if it isn't well made, if you like it, I will reluctantly cede that you can STILL like it and find it good. It will pain me and cause me to question my faith (what little remains) in humanity, but IF YOU LIKE IT, IT'S GOOD, ALRIGHT???

I fully support your right to be wrong.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

I don’t pay much attention to the majority of random opinions of people I know nothing about.

I do consider the opinions of people I know to have similar tastes and values. For example, if a friend with similar tastes in movies make a recommendation, there is a good chance I will watch it. Same thing goes for a new restaurant. I care less about everyone lining up to get in than the endorsement of a friend who likes sea bass as much as I do.

Do you like Black Sabbath?

Asking for a friend.

 

[jak3af3r]

I am a little torn on this one. I am someone that does my research on things, especially larger purchases. I make my own mind up based on what I find and move forward. Sometimes I like to get input from others like with my do I need a PRS studio post. Did any of that really help me with my decision, possibly. In the end, I made the decision to purchase the guitar and I found one that I liked, I didn't need input on that... Typically, I don't ask others unless I am looking to get more information on a specific part of something.

That's because there's a distinction between research and validation.

 

[JasonE]

That's because there's a distinction between research and validation.

I would definitely call my process research. I have never been someone that looks for validation from anyone for anything. I never understood why people look for that validation. I see people chime in on questions about some products that really come down to confirming their purchases. They never really include any details as to why that product is the best ever, they just say it is and tell everyone they need one.

 

[shinksma]

That's because there's a distinction between research and validation.

I agree, 100%! I even did my own research, and this YouTube guy said the same thing as you, so it is surely true!




Anyway, sorry...

Humans are certainly tempted to equate the validation they find from others as the equivalent to "independent research". Because there is simply too much information out there to truly independently learn about everything. I can't go drive every car brand/model for 5 years to establish my own sense of quality and reliability, and even if I did (all in parallel) by the time I was done the cars may have changed - five years is about a complete model year cycle.

And consumer-reporting about reliability etc is fraught with self-selection and editing: if you asked owners of a high end vehicle about reliability issues, they might have different expectations of their vehicles "quality" (and complain the color blue on their 14" LCD Nav System isn't the right "blue") vs someone who can only afford an entry-level car, and might only be sensitive to major issues such as powertrain failures - and they have no color LCD nor Nav System to complain about.

 

[gush]

People who speculate markets seem to do more harm than good most of the time.

I do use consumer reports for certain purchases though.

We bought a new fridge maybe four years ago and I HATED the piece of garbage. Trim pieces, drawers and hinges broke through normal wear.

It ticked me off so I got rid of it even though we only had it 1.5 years.

My wife wanted the new improved model of what we just got rid of because she "heard" it was a good unit. I thought that was a goofy thing to do but I read up about it in consumers reports and feedback from that new model was good and it appeared to have its issues resolved.

We bought it and love it.

 

[gush]

I actually like asking for advice on here.

When you get to know a few people on here fairly well and what their tastes are like it can be a useful tool.

I wouldn't ask for gear advice or opinions anywhere else.

 

[Prina]

I actually like asking for advice on here.

When you get to know a few people on here fairly well and what their tastes are like it can be a useful tool.

+1

There's an amazing amount of expertise here. The times I've used it for decision making have resulted in awesome gear.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

This old guy went to Glasgow today and got hands on the SE Silver Sky.

Nothing like getting hands on for real -



All the reviews and demos in the world don’t match up to having a good old twang.

 

[Moondog Wily]

This forum and the opinions stated herein has been a supporting buttress of PRS guitar sales for over a decade! The unfiltered, less than expert level, arm chair rock star, over the top, constant barrage of "do it" guitar purchase support has put a glaringly positive spin on the company and it's products!! Therefore, I hereby declare, that all opinions should be listened to and acted upon in all instances (assuming such statements result in additional sales of PRS products) ;~)) Now stop reading this and go and buy a PRS product to support the economy and the company (and be sure to let everyone know how great that product is because influencers are the thing)!!!

 

[Moondog Wily]

Nothing like getting hands on for real -

All the reviews and demos in the world don’t match up to having a good old twang.

TWSS!

 

[JasonE]

People who speculate markets seem to do more harm than good at of time.

I do use consumer reports for certain purchases though.

We bought a new fridge maybe four years ago and I HATED the piece of garbage. Trim pieces, drawers and hinges broke through normal wear.

It ticked me off so I got rid of it even though we only had it 1.5 years.

My wife wanted the new improved model of what we just got rid of because she "heard" it was a good unit. I thought that was a goofy thing to do but I read up about it in consumers reports and feedback from that new model was good and it appeared to have its issues resolved.

We bought it and love it.

Was it a Samsung? I have hated mine since about a year and a half in with it. It has been in the house for 8 years now and I really hate the thing. I told my wife that when it finally has a severe issue happen to it, I am spending the money to buy KitchenAid appliances. They cost more but hold up.

 

[gush]

Was it a Samsung? I have hated mine since about a year and a half in with it. It has been in the house for 8 years now and I really hate the thing. I told my wife that when it finally has a severe issue happen to it, I am spending the money to buy KitchenAid appliances. They cost more but hold up.

It was a whirlpool

 

[Moondog Wily]

It was a whirlpool

Come on, which one is it, a whirlpool or a refrigerator? It can't be both!

 

[gush]

Was it a Samsung? I have hated mine since about a year and a half in with it. It has been in the house for 8 years now and I really hate the thing. I told my wife that when it finally has a severe issue happen to it, I am spending the money to buy KitchenAid appliances. They cost more but hold up.

The one break that really did it for me was the door hinge.

Plastic insert was expected to hold the weight of the door plus contents. Not enough expanding foam inside this area left a void for the plastic to break.

I finished filling the door with foam and made a small metal plate to go over the area. There was no good way to screw plate to the door that didn't look like a Jr high shop project but it was on the bottom and was hard to notice during normal use.

It just pi$$ed me off every time I thought about it.

 

[RC Mike]

The commercialization of amateur content and ever-increasing shrillness of polarized consumer attitudes has made any sort of neutral, unbiased, trustworthy opinion near-impossible. I’m not talking about people we know, but rather seeking out such evaluations from zero existing knowledge.

Most every product now has a launch-plan that involves timed releases from “influencers.” Algorithms are built to push that content front and center, to the exclusion of content that doesn’t literally follow the given script. Companies like PRS are as much to blame as the people who make their living by being modern-day snake oil salesmen.

Then there are the rabid, ride-or-die fans of products and companies. They’d eat their own left nut before they’d be lukewarm or negative about their chosen brand—their own identities are too wrapped up in their fandom and wanna-be affiliation to make any other choice.

It’s all reflective of the surface veneer that society is now covered with. Substance gives way to image, bad drives out good, and simple kills subtle. Genuine expertise is scorned while an idiot’s “hot take” is heralded.

 

[László]

And for those times you don't trust in humanity:

A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every one from offering advice unless he asks it; but, however, he ought to be a constant inquirer, and afterwards a patient listener concerning the things of which he inquired
-Machiavelli

I once was a prince. Then I was a king. Now I'm a janitor - someone's gotta clean up around here!