The piece claims authority has drained from credentialed elites, while practical trades (plumbers, mechanics, hair stylists) remain trusted. This suggests public credibility now anchors in visible performance more than in credentials or institutional prestige.
— If trust migrates to practitioners with tangible outcomes, policy, media, and science communication may need performance‑verified validators rather than credentialed spokespeople to regain legitimacy.
2026.01.04
75% relevant
The article uses tradespeople (plumbers, HVAC techs) as an illustrative contrast to academic experts—pointing to their greater public credibility on practical matters—echoing the existing idea that practical, visible expertise retains trust even as credentialed elites lose it.
Chris Bray
2026.01.04
78% relevant
Bray’s central claim — that 'makers' keep institutions alive despite top‑down foolishness — aligns with the documented pattern that practical, hands‑on experts retain public confidence relative to credentialed elites; the Maduro raid anecdote shows operational competence residing in practitioners rather than symbolic leaders.
2025.10.07
100% relevant
Gioia: 'The only experts who still possess authority are blue collar ones.'
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