What is the criteria to be an ATS Subject Matter "Expert"?

I see a few members have a button on their posting profile which denotes them as a 'Subject Matter Expert".

If you click on it, it takes you to the forum of their supposed expertise.
For some of these experts it seems fairly straightforward, topics that it is understandable to be an expert in.
Other members will supposedly be experts in the 'general conspiracies' forum for example.
How is that possible?

What would I need to do to be an expert in 'general conspiracies' given that it such a broad forum encompassing a wide range of topics. It would be impossible for someone to be a true 'expert' in even a quarter of the topics raised in such a forum.
Also note that there are other broad forums like this with other experts.

So is there any criteria?

Or is ATS handing out perceived 'legitimacy' to people that suit its political ideologies perhaps?

ex·pert    [n., v. ek-spurt; adj. ek-spurt, ik-spurt]
noun
1. a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; specialist; authority: a language expert.

When talking about experts, authorities or specialists we generally talk about people who have spent their lives studying or working in a closely related field or profession.
Once again this is understandable for many forums, such as an ex-military person would be perfect for the 'weaponry' forum.
But what profession or field would relate to 'general conspiracies'. Especially considering most specific conspiracies have their own sub forum.

Anyway, just curious to find out.

I guess no one is going to answer,so here ya go.........

www.abovetopsecret.com...

These first two FSME's will help us define what role this new title plays in helping the overall ATS experience. So far, we envision the role to he 3 parts research librarian and one part editorial director. Very different from moderators, FMSE's don't police the actions of members, instead, they help guide discussions and help members with points of research and accuracy. However, by the time we're finished with his experiment, we may have an entirely different description of what an FSME does, or, may even have an entirely different title/role... who knows. For now, help Byrd and intelgurl with their newfound role in helping ATS.

Hope this helps!

Originally posted by kdog1982
I guess no one is going to answer,so here ya go.........

www.abovetopsecret.com...

These first two FSME's will help us define what role this new title plays in helping the overall ATS experience. So far, we envision the role to he 3 parts research librarian and one part editorial director. Very different from moderators, FMSE's don't police the actions of members, instead, they help guide discussions and help members with points of research and accuracy. However, by the time we're finished with his experiment, we may have an entirely different description of what an FSME does, or, may even have an entirely different title/role... who knows. For now, help Byrd and intelgurl with their newfound role in helping ATS.

Hope this helps!

Hello and thanks for responding.

Still I think this works for some areas, but to have experts for areas such as general conspiracies is just silly.

I have noticed on this site there are many ways which some views and opinions are attempted to be made more 'legitimate'. For example there are groups of 'high standing' members who post on threads in gangs to belittle and trump out opposition, usually in threads regarding US foreign policy.
It just seems to me this is another way to legitimize someone, because the members that are so called experts from my experience have all had much the same political views. Certainly not anyone who is critical of the US.

reply to post by HumanCondition


I tend to stay away from politics,not exactly my forte.
I hang around the science - earth forums ,so I wouldn't know about that.

Originally posted by kdog1982
reply to post by HumanCondition

 

I tend to stay away from politics,not exactly my forte.
I hang around the science - earth forums ,so I wouldn't know about that.

Understandable, and a good example forums where someone could easily be an expert.

It does happen in my experience.
The same members doing the same thing in the same type of threads.

Know what you're talking about. Be a good member of ATS. Make coffee for mods.

I'm the Weapons and Tactics FSME. It helps to have a background in the area you are administering as well.

Originally posted by HumanCondition

Still I think this works for some areas, but to have experts for areas such as general conspiracies is just silly.

I would ask why you think this way. I would also take the oppertunity to explain something, the implications of which you may not be aware. When examining a scenario as murky and confused as those which arise from the existence of, for example, the Templars and the Masons, it is often important to have easy access to data from OTHER conspiracy situations to allow comparison. Comparing like incidents can lead to interesting discoveries, and not every person who has an idea to make a thread, has the general knowledge of conspiracy that would be of use during the creation of such a thread.

One would therefore imagine, that this is where your General Conspiracy FSME would come in. Able to comment from a position of a near encyclopedic understanding of the subject matter,they would be able to make thread writers and of course people who comment on the thread, more aware of the implications of any one incident, accusation, or indeed any other relevant information which may pertain to the subject being discussed, either in a general sense or specifically.

I have noticed on this site there are many ways which some views and opinions are attempted to be made more 'legitimate'. For example there are groups of 'high standing' members who post on threads in gangs to belittle and trump out opposition, usually in threads regarding US foreign policy.
It just seems to me this is another way to legitimize someone, because the members that are so called experts from my experience have all had much the same political views. Certainly not anyone who is critical of the US.

I understand exactly what your angle is on this, I cannot say I agree with it, or have ever encountered a situation on the boards that has made me think "wow, how biased and closed minded is the FSME for this forum".

I am not saying that you are paranoid, but I am saying that you are wrong. With only perhaps two exceptions in the entire time between now and my join date, I have never encountered ANY of the officialy marked members (either mods, owners, or FSMEs) in a negative manner, and at least one of those unfortunate anomalies may have been my fault.
I think it is particularly unfair for you to cast aspersions on the integrity of people who are giving up their time, and quite a bit of their intellectual hard drive space, to come here and inform people who are clearly missing pieces of the puzzle, or have just plain misunderstood something. It shows a singular lack of understanding of the function of the FSME for you to do so. I believe the FSMEs have had to grow a thick skin since the foundation of their title, just to put up with such baseless prattle, and they may feel that it is beneath them to even comment on such trifles. Well I guess thats why they are the experts. As for me as a mere layman, these unfound suggestions you are making about their integrity just makes me angry as hell.

Originally posted by projectvxn
Know what you're talking about. Be a good member of ATS. Make coffee for mods.

I'm the Weapons and Tactics FSME. It helps to have a background in the area you are administering as well.

edit on 1-7-2012 by projectvxn because: (no reason given)

Yeah but how can someone know something about everything in a forum like 'general conspiracies' for example.

It shouldn't be called 'subject matter expert' if its nothing to do with actual expertise.

And I assume you are ex-military? Makes sense.

reply to post by TrueBrit

At the end of the day my issue is with the word 'expert'. Because clearly some of these so called experts are not experts at all.
It does not make you an expert to cross reference, anyone can do this because this is the internet.
And for the record I dont think I have ever seen an expert do anything like this, perhaps in a sub forum but can you really imagine someone jumping into a conversation and saying 'never fear, I am a general conspiracy expert'.

When examining a scenario as murky and confused as those which arise from the existence of, for example, the Templars and the Masons, it is often important to have easy access to data from OTHER conspiracy situations to allow comparison.

I know this is just an example but Templar's and Masons would go under the 'secret society' sub forum. Most other areas of conspiracy have there own sub forum. So its still pretty misleading to have a 'general conspiracy' forum expert.

I am not saying that you are paranoid, but I am saying that you are wrong.

Of course pull out the paranoid crap.
The only people who would be paranoid are the people who feel they need to try and legitimize their opinions through unethical and misleading ways.
If they are not doing this on purpose then they should review the effect calling someone an 'expert' may have on people.

The point of an FSME is not to lay down the final word of truth on a subject, but to enhance discussion of the subject. A good FSME makes it easier for a curious new member to build his own understanding of the topic and add a distinct new voice to the forum.

Originally posted by The Vagabond
The point of an FSME is not to lay down the final word of truth on a subject, but to enhance discussion of the subject. A good FSME makes it easier for a curious new member to build his own understanding of the topic and add a distinct new voice to the forum.

So you do not think its misleading to call someone an expert in a field it is impossible to be an expert in?

I'm just telling you what we do, I didn't create the position and I can't speak for that.

What we do has nothing to do with misleading anyone. If an FSME tries to tell you that he's right and your wrong just because they've got that title, bring it to the attention of the staff. Until then it seems a little disingenuous to speak of members who stand out for quality discussion and invest their personal time in furthering that discussion for the benefit of everyone as if they were somehow wronging you.

reply to post by HumanCondition


I'm actually current military. But yes, in a forum for general conspiracy it would be hard to peg down an expert. Unless that person was well researched in conspiracy theory discussed on ATS overall.

Originally posted by The Vagabond
I'm just telling you what we do, I didn't create the position and I can't speak for that.

What we do has nothing to do with misleading anyone. If an FSME tries to tell you that he's right and your wrong just because they've got that title, bring it to the attention of the staff. Until then it seems a little disingenuous to speak of members who stand out for quality discussion and invest their personal time in furthering that discussion for the benefit of everyone as if they were somehow wronging you.

In the weaponry field a lot boils down to opinion. I am not here to tell you you're wrong, I am here to facilitate discussion and to educate those who simply don't know.