Because Google Said So
I am a real estate expert. Make no mistake about it. And if you don’t believe me, just ask Google. They talk about me there a lot, mostly whenever someone asks about my name or the local communities in which I do business. I have a web site, and I even blog! This gives me instant credibility. The problem is this — I am not an expert on all things. In fact, I am not an expert on most things or even all things real estate, yet I and thousands like me have this platform to use and, regrettably, abuse. How is the consumer to know the difference?
I found myself pondering this recently when I was reading an article written for a very prominent and respected business magazine. The New York-based author was quoting local “specialists,” and one happened to be playing the role of hyper-local expert witness for the small San Diego community in which I do the majority of my work. Except, in the 20 years I have lived here and the eleven I have been working in real estate, I have never heard his name, nor have I ever heard of his company. I have never seen his yard signs. I have never had the pleasure of having him on the other side of one of my transactions. Yet, I am told he is an expert in my neighborhood by a Manhattan byline. If I didn’t have first-hand knowledge, I suppose I wouldn’t question it. After all, this was the mainstream media talking.
Just Ask What’s-His-Name
First, let me say that I am not attacking the agent. He may be the best agent in the Delta Quadrant and is just new to these parts. He may compensate for experience with superior mental acuity. Heck, he may even actually know what he’s talking about! In fact, I know he does, because I asked Google, and they gave me directions to his blog. I’ll give him this — he is learning how to work the system. BusinessWeek called him and not me.
One of my favorite AG writers (you’re all my “favorites,” of course) once eloquently said of bloggers, “We are all full of sh*%.” Sometimes it does feel that way. The noise is getting deafening. There are just too many on-line voices, Trulia and otherwise, and self-policing only goes so far. It has to be a matter of time before the public catches on.
Overtaking Your Mentor
I hope they do. I hope they catch on, and I hope the by-product is that they question the authority of all of us who are professing to be experts either deliberately or implicitly through our participation in this medium. I liken it to the evolution of a young student. In grade school, you never question authority because the teacher is the larger than life sage. By college, you begin to question the legitimacy of everyone who teaches and preaches because you have learned that you have both the right and obligation to do so.
Blogging is stuck somewhere in middle school. I hope the administration, both the bloggers and the mainstream media, are courageous enough to be responsible and truthful in their lesson plans. Then, again, I also wish for world peace. Good luck with that!  So, instead, I cling to the notion that our students will come to recognize that it is not only OK but essential that they question authority.
And, since you read this on a blog, you can be sure I know what the hell I am talking about.
