The vast majority of my writing over the past 30 years have been in the form of psychobabble.
In short, I am a student of the human condition, and I enjoy poking around in the realms of human motivations and what we do to navigate this thing called "life."
Undercredentialled...
Close-up inside a red poppy
Of course, I am not a trained therapist, nor do I own a PhD in psychology, psychiatry or social work. In fact, I come by all my psychobabble from simple observation of-- and interaction with-- the human condition.
There’s a funny dichotomy involved in writing commentary and musings about the human mind, spirit and the things that drive many people towards some version of personal growth and eventual self-actualization: Even though many people seem to find these words both helpful and interesting, my writings on the things that motivate us and make us tick are barely even “blog worthy,” as writing.
And they are certainly not publishable as articles, since I am chronically undercredentialled, in such a context. How “dare” I have an opinion (insightful, or otherwise) if I don’t have the right set of initials to put behind my name?
"Where's your PhD? We can only publish this if it's co-authored by a recognized expert!"
A Fish Story
I remember a fable we were taught in business school, circa 1982.
A professor at some prestigious Ivy League university asked his students to create a well-researched paper on tropical fish. They'd have two weeks for the assignment.
Ducks... studying fish?
Time went by, and much time was spent in libraries and other venues; dissertations and white papers were analyzed; experts were interviewed.
Finally, it was time to hand in the papers.
The professor was waiting, as the students filed in, each dropping odd their research paper on the professor's desk on the way to taking their seats. Not unnoticed was what appeared to be a box on the professor's desk, covered with a white cloth.
When the last student had been seated, the professor lifted the 15-inch tall pile of research papers and unceremoniously dumped it in the trash can. Uncomfortable and angry murmurs ran through the class.
"You've all FAILED," the professor declared, then whipped the cloth off the box on the desk, revealing an aquarium with colorful tropical fish, "If you want to TRULY know about tropical fish, study TROPICAL FISH, not what other people has said about tropical fish. Think for yourselves!"
The Wisdom of Esperience
Of course, that's a harsh story... and an exaggeration. But it illustrates an important point: We really benefit from learning and understanding on our own... rather than just regurgitating the work of others.
View of Flathead Lake, Montana
I know what I know because I have relentlessly studied and tried to understand... often based on first-hand observation and interaction. Whereas I don't toss out existing knowledge, I always frame it in the context of functional experience. Phrases like "experts believe" mean little to me unless I can see such suppositions directly applied.
I write and publish on the topics of finding peace within oneself, and on dynamics and interactions in relationships-- from friendships, to family, to work, to love.
As I have said before, some of my opinions are unpopular, because I tend to take the psychological establishment to task over its often myopic viewpoints of How Things Work. Funny how "the Establishment" gived itself away by being deeply attached to what has already been established, often to the detriment of entertaining new ideas.
One of the things I love about Steemit, is the fact that this community invites an openness and freedom of expression I have not seen elsewhere... while also being a great place for intelligent discourse and interaction.
Thank you for that!
What do YOU think? Does our world rely excessively on "established opinion" rather than original observation? Are you an 'expert" on anything without having the Advanced Degree to "prove" it? Had that ever been a problem in your life? Do well-studied "laymen" ever seem like they know more than credentialed academics, to you? Leave a comment-- share your experiences and feedback-- be part of the conversation!
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Published 20170724 18:25 PDT