What happens when opinions carry as much weight as expertise?
Jumping off a conversation from a recent Point Taken, Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey spend this week’s Overtime unpacking what many have called the “death of expertise” — and why so many people today seem to trust influencers, pundits, and personalities over experts with decades of experience.
Kristin wrestles with a question she asks herself often: who deserves a microphone? As someone who talks about politics for a living, she reflects on imposter syndrome and whether audiences increasingly care more about who is delivering a message than whether they’re qualified to speak on it.
Steve argues that expertise still matters, but that too many people only seek out voices that reinforce what they already believe. Whether it’s science, medicine, politics, or social media, he believes society has become too quick to dismiss experts in favor of personalities.
Their conversation also explores masculinity, why admitting you’re wrong is so difficult, and whether our political culture has become more interested in winning arguments than finding truth.
It’s one of the more philosophical episodes of Overtime—and one that asks listeners to think about who they trust, and why.
Listen to Overtime and every episode of Point Taken on our podcast page, and subscribe to Steve and Kristin’s weekly newsletter, Extra Points, for even more conversations beyond the show.
