Conclusion
Sifting through the various perspectives from authors quoted in this essay, it is apparent that there is a dangerous imbalance in the relationship between so-called experts, leaders-decision makers and lay-people. This imbalance urgently needs to be corrected, understanding that solutions, certainly in society, take time to implement. The dynamics and solutions in this relationship are numerous and complex:
- Experts in all complex fields are desperately needed
- There is added benefit to good decision-making when experts and leader-level decision-makers are not the same person. Experts advise, leaders decide.
- Laypeople (citizens or employees) must be in a position to debate advice or experts and decisions of leaders – however, rules must apply to these debates.
- One of the most critical rules of these debates is the need for lay-people to do their homework – ignorance and laziness (including dependence on “Google-fueled, Wikipedia based, Blog-sodden” levels of knowledge) is damaging to this process of advice and decision-making.
- Powerful techniques and tools are very useful in the process of accumulating information and making sound decisions (see Appendix below)
- It is important for experts and laypeople alike to understand – at a basic level – how bias and noise impact our thinking and decision-making. This understanding enhances our willingness to adopt the processes, rules and techniques that can dramatically improve the dynamic between experts, leaders and laypeople.
