Why is there always a "know-it-all" on these boards - it seems the Coin Community has so many!

coiner · October 12, 2024 7:37PM

I've been posting and reading on these boards for over 20 years. I used to post under a different "handle" and had some lively discussion with other board members with differing opinions many years ago.

It just seems like the coin collecting community has far above the expected share of "know it alls" that just trash others for any reason whatsoever to prove they know more about the topic.

At some shows you find some of the same types, arguing about a coin or pricing - you'd hope they took their meds before coming to the show that day.

Anyone have the same experience?

alaura22 · October 12, 2024 7:59PM

All the time..................I know of 3 off the top of my head and all 3 are on my IGNORE list

Creg · October 12, 2024 7:59PM

No. Not a great topic, I am an expert on topics.

lermish · October 12, 2024 8:08PM

As some one who hates know-it-alls with a passion and sometimes digs himself deep arguing with them...

There is a specific type of person who needs to be seen as an expert. It's usually ego driven. They need to show how smart they are to prove they have worth. If they are introspective enough, they rationalize it by thinking they are helpful or teaching, whether their victims wish to be taught or no.

This usually happens more and more as people age and seems to be mostly men. Coin collecting has a higher than average population of old men. And there you are.

Anywhere there is a higher concentration than normal of old guys with a lot of time on their hands, this will pop up. Anyone that plays golf has experienced this.

Crypto · October 12, 2024 8:33PM

Same reason there is an ever steady flow of noobs who don’t know enough to know what they don’t know.

Contrary to popular belief; life doesn’t take all types, but there certainly are all types.

yosclimber · October 12, 2024 9:28PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuKwpkUNNrA
I think you should make a distinction between different types of "know it all" persons.

The classic "know it all" on Cheers, Cliff Clavin, loved to claim expertise on a lot of things, but was passive and not trying to insult other people.

Your definition of "know it all" as someone who "trash others" is too narrow, in my view.
Really this is a person who has a particular style of arguing.
Sometimes it is because they do not take the time to edit a post carefully to make sure it is very neutral and friendly to other people posting.
Or they might enjoy exchanging a few insults with others, if they feel the other person made a wrong and low effort post.

There are also several people on this forum who actually have a very deep and broad knowledge of coins,
and offer up accurate answers without insulting other members.
I think of these people as "knowing really a lot", and enjoy their posts sharing their knowledge.

mr1931S · October 13, 2024 3:48AM

allnewsanchor · October 13, 2024 3:56AM

Synonym: stable genius?

Morgan13 · October 13, 2024 4:06AM

Im glad someone brought this up.
I've had it happen to me and for no good reason.
I don't take the bait.
If I'm wrong I will admit it.
This is a coin forum is supposed to be fun.
If you don't like a thread or a post just move in a different direction.
Why make someone feel low and discouraged ill never understand.
Do people enjoy being psychopaths?
Would they treat people this way in person, I suspect not.
Enough out of me.

pcgs69 · October 13, 2024 4:43AM

I believe it's unfortunately a byproduct of the internet. Everywhere you go people argue for the sake of arguing. And they say things they would most likely never say to someone's face if the same discussion were to happen. I would love to do a video series of putting the same two people face-to-face for a discussion on the same topic to see what happens when you can't hide behind the computer screen.

jedm · October 13, 2024 5:57AM

It's taken me over 60 years to learn with many failures along the way, just how true is what Mark Twain said:

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

sellitstore · October 13, 2024 6:01AM

Yes, we have some big egos here and many feel threatened by someone that they may not know who knows more than them. And they overreact and pick fights where fights aren't called for.

But, yes, there's are big difference between those who are sincerely here to learn and/or educate and those who openly attack others. After 50+ years, I'm still learning and sharing what I know. Those who are confident in their expertise, don't feel the need to attack others. Again, after this long as a collector, dealer, auctioneer and auction cataloger, I'd better know more than most of the members here with much less experience. Some of us DO know a lot more than others, that's the reality here.

Yes, I'm proud to be a "know a lot" who has been openly attacked by a member who has already posted in this thread. But I would never claim to know it all or even more than many of the members here. And I certainly would never attack another member based on lack of knowledge. I endeavor to educate and learn and will continue to do so.

sellitstore · October 13, 2024 6:14AM

@lermish said:
As some one who hates know-it-alls with a passion and sometimes digs himself deep arguing with them...

There is a specific type of person who needs to be seen as an expert. It's usually ego driven. They need to show how smart they are to prove they have worth. If they are introspective enough, they rationalize it by thinking they are helpful or teaching, whether their victims wish to be taught or no.

This usually happens more and more as people age and seems to be mostly men. Coin collecting has a higher than average population of old men. And there you are.

Anywhere there is a higher concentration than normal of old guys with a lot of time on their hands, this will pop up. Anyone that plays golf has experienced this.

And what about those here with legitimate experience and expertise? Are you the gatekeeper who determines who has expertise and who doesn't? What happens when an admittedly hate-prone member doesn't recognize the experience and expertise of a member with whom he is unfamiliar and starts arguing and "digs himself deep". Is he capable of recognizing his error and correcting it? I don't think so.

olympicsos · October 13, 2024 6:18AM

The numismatic community is not even the worst community when it comes to this. Just look at the rail buff hobby, the whole hobby is infighting between different people, and has a large number of people who are incels.

johnny9434 · October 13, 2024 6:21AM

@allnewsanchor said:
Synonym: stable genius?

Stable?

Liquidated · October 13, 2024 6:32AM

There are a lot of lonely, insecure and unhappy people in this world. No close relationships with friends or family. They often portray themselves as experts with the hope of being relevant. Arguing allows them some interaction with others which is really all they want. It is easy to identify most of those people here by recognizing who sits behind the screen all day posting non stop and looking for any interaction through argument or illusion they are experts. Sadly the internet allows them to feed off one another. Lonely people look for things to occupy their time such as coin collecting and thus why it is rampant on coin forums.

Face to face those people back down through the underling insecurities unless they stumble across someone with shared interest and views. In that situation feel everyone should know opinions.. One frequent poster here and prime example can be found in the Rochester area and in person unimpressionable although continues to find ways to irritate others

DocBenjamin · October 13, 2024 6:39AM

@olympicsos said:
The numismatic community is not even the worst community when it comes to this. Just look at the rail buff hobby, the whole hobby is infighting between different people, and has a large number of people who are incels.

Many train wreck threads on that forum.

Cougar1978 · October 13, 2024 6:47AM

Yes agree this message board has a number of those (quote trolls, griefers) I would say about 4 fairly obnoxious active ones (decided to block them). I have decided go to more of a lurker / in the background operational (intel) mode. Then perhaps occasional short, concise post.

sellitstore · October 13, 2024 6:52AM

@lermish said:

@sellitstore said:

@lermish said:
As some one who hates know-it-alls with a passion and sometimes digs himself deep arguing with them...

There is a specific type of person who needs to be seen as an expert. It's usually ego driven. They need to show how smart they are to prove they have worth. If they are introspective enough, they rationalize it by thinking they are helpful or teaching, whether their victims wish to be taught or no.

This usually happens more and more as people age and seems to be mostly men. Coin collecting has a higher than average population of old men. And there you are.

Anywhere there is a higher concentration than normal of old guys with a lot of time on their hands, this will pop up. Anyone that plays golf has experienced this.

And what about those here with legitimate experience and expertise? Are you the gatekeeper who determines who has expertise and who doesn't? What happens when an admittedly hate-prone member doesn't recognize the experience and expertise of a member with whom he is unfamiliar and starts arguing and "digs himself deep". Is he capable of recognizing his error and correcting it? I don't think so.

Please hit "LOL" to acknowledge this truth.

I don't doubt your expertise or experience and never have. I'm not a gatekeeper of anything and I have no problem apologizing or acknowledging my errors, of which there are many.

I can however recognize a pompous and needy individual who has an insatiable need to inflict said expertise on anyone around. Because of course you know better and everyone else needs to see how you know better and should thank you at every turn for the education you insist they receive, whether needed or not.

Talk about oblivious and incapable of recognizing reality.

Thank you. You have just made my case, haven't you? And I've been thanked plenty by other members here who appreciate my contributions, so why should I listen to one disgruntled member?

Oh, I started another thread this morning here, providing a link to an auction with Bust Halves and two cent pieces. If it interests you, you might want to have a look. But if it doesn't, I hope that you are not offended by my "insatiable need to inflict said expertise..." I don't see it that way. I see this as a useful (for a few) and positive post, don't you?

I'm not sure how ANY of my posts fit your characterization. Does my other post this morning offend you, too? Can you be more specific as to why and at what you are so offended? Let's try to fix this.

The defense now rests.

lermish · October 13, 2024 7:09AM

@sellitstore said:

@lermish said:

@sellitstore said:

@lermish said:
As some one who hates know-it-alls with a passion and sometimes digs himself deep arguing with them...

There is a specific type of person who needs to be seen as an expert. It's usually ego driven. They need to show how smart they are to prove they have worth. If they are introspective enough, they rationalize it by thinking they are helpful or teaching, whether their victims wish to be taught or no.

This usually happens more and more as people age and seems to be mostly men. Coin collecting has a higher than average population of old men. And there you are.

Anywhere there is a higher concentration than normal of old guys with a lot of time on their hands, this will pop up. Anyone that plays golf has experienced this.

And what about those here with legitimate experience and expertise? Are you the gatekeeper who determines who has expertise and who doesn't? What happens when an admittedly hate-prone member doesn't recognize the experience and expertise of a member with whom he is unfamiliar and starts arguing and "digs himself deep". Is he capable of recognizing his error and correcting it? I don't think so.

Please hit "LOL" to acknowledge this truth.

I don't doubt your expertise or experience and never have. I'm not a gatekeeper of anything and I have no problem apologizing or acknowledging my errors, of which there are many.

I can however recognize a pompous and needy individual who has an insatiable need to inflict said expertise on anyone around. Because of course you know better and everyone else needs to see how you know better and should thank you at every turn for the education you insist they receive, whether needed or not.

Talk about oblivious and incapable of recognizing reality.

Thank you. You have just made my case, haven't you? And I've been thanked plenty by other members here who appreciate my contributions, so why should I listen to one disgruntled member? I'm quite satiated now that I have inflicted my knowledge upon you. I have other things to do now, so maybe I'll check in with you again tomorrow or later this week. I know that you will be here. Meanwhile, your above personal attack has been reported. It's not the first.

Oh, I started another thread this morning here, providing a link to an auction with Bust Halves and two cent pieces. If it interests you, you might want to have a look. But if it doesn't, I hope that you are not offended by my "insatiable need to inflict said expertise..."

The defense now rests.

What has been proven? That, once again, you think every post you make is some sort of indisputable mic drop moment? You mentioned me by name, not the other way around.

And I didn't realize that your expertise extended towards posting widely available, public auctions for all to see. Glad your decades of experience are being put to good use.

I know you have other things to do, all of those newspapers aren't going to clip themselves. So I'll leave it here, I know you'll be here also; you'll make sure everyone knows you're here.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 13, 2024 7:43AM

Know-it-alls know it all

Here is a parking lot find.

MarkKelley · October 13, 2024 10:25AM

I am a person who knows a lot about coins, but I'm not a very good (or fast) typist. Therefore, my replies to questions tend to be to the point and not very wordy. Sometimes my brevity in answers might be mistaken for smugness but I assure you that is not the case. I am here to learn and to teach, not to belittle.

Morgan13 · October 13, 2024 10:28AM

@MarkKelley said:
I am a person who knows a lot about coins, but I'm not a very good (or fast) typist. Therefore, my replies to questions tend to be to the point and not very wordy. Sometimes my brevity in answers might be mistaken for smugness but I assure you that is not the case. I am here to learn and to teach, not to belittle.

I think it's much easier to spot than you think. I also doubt that anyone here is talking about you.

PeakRarities · October 13, 2024 11:12AM

We are never too old to learn, or too young to teach. I appreciate those with great knowledge who continue to post here, we have to remember at they end of the day that no one is paid to post here, and taking the time share one’s knowledge and wisdom freely is commendable.

Some of those experts, however, are unwilling to look at things through another lens, and they are fixed in their ways. Much has changed over the past several decades, and the way that they understand a topic might be dated, or invalidated by recent developments. Often times, these experts are unwilling to consider a viewpoint that challenges their own, and ultimately have decided that they have finished learning in their lifetime.

I feel that my knowledge has grown considerably over the past few years, but I’ll be the first to admit when I have an elementary understanding of something. For instance, @FlyingAl is a decade my junior, and several decades for many other members here. His knowledge of the coining process and the minutiae of manufacture is far greater than mine will ever be. At the same time, I may have a better grasp on market dynamics and valuations. I learn from him, he learns from me, and this is how we grow.

habaraca · October 13, 2024 12:37PM

and way to many of them feel they must comment on every thread,
then go on and on with MULTIPLE posts per thread........

almost seems they are trying to get their post count up also

Smudge · October 13, 2024 2:26PM

A lot of expertise here. You are free to take advantage of what you find useful and ignore whatever annoys you.

CRHer700 · October 13, 2024 2:47PM

@pcgs69 said:
I believe it's unfortunately a byproduct of the internet. Everywhere you go people argue for the sake of arguing. And they say things they would most likely never say to someone's face if the same discussion were to happen. I would love to do a video series of putting the same two people face-to-face for a discussion on the same topic to see what happens when you can't hide behind the computer screen.

Exactly, people feel safe to hide behind the internet, and don't act the same as they would in person. I fall guilty to this myself at times, but it is best when we all act the same as in person.
(Not the people at Wal-Mart though.)

braddick · October 13, 2024 3:47PM

@CRHer700 said:

@pcgs69 said:
I believe it's unfortunately a byproduct of the internet. Everywhere you go people argue for the sake of arguing. And they say things they would most likely never say to someone's face if the same discussion were to happen. I would love to do a video series of putting the same two people face-to-face for a discussion on the same topic to see what happens when you can't hide behind the computer screen.

Exactly, people feel safe to hide behind the internet, and don't act the same as they would in person. I fall guilty to this myself at times, but it is best when we all act the same as in person.
** (Not the people at Wal-Mart though.**)

Did you know Walmart, just as with Kmart (now defunct) to this day never hyphenated its name?

7Jaguars · October 13, 2024 4:07PM

Sometimes when it comes to “know-it-alls” , I think of the late Linus Pauling - the only person to win TWO Nobel Prizes.
He used to recount that even some person walking the streets might have an insight/observation that have never occurred to him.

CRHer700 · October 13, 2024 4:10PM

@braddick said:

@CRHer700 said:

@pcgs69 said:
I believe it's unfortunately a byproduct of the internet. Everywhere you go people argue for the sake of arguing. And they say things they would most likely never say to someone's face if the same discussion were to happen. I would love to do a video series of putting the same two people face-to-face for a discussion on the same topic to see what happens when you can't hide behind the computer screen.

Exactly, people feel safe to hide behind the internet, and don't act the same as they would in person. I fall guilty to this myself at times, but it is best when we all act the same as in person.
** (Not the people at Wal-Mart though.**)

Did you know Walmart, just as with Kmart (now defunct) to this day never hyphenated its name?

My auto correct did that. 😂

Liquidated · October 13, 2024 4:35PM

@braddick said:

@CRHer700 said:

@pcgs69 said:
I believe it's unfortunately a byproduct of the internet. Everywhere you go people argue for the sake of arguing. And they say things they would most likely never say to someone's face if the same discussion were to happen. I would love to do a video series of putting the same two people face-to-face for a discussion on the same topic to see what happens when you can't hide behind the computer screen.

Exactly, people feel safe to hide behind the internet, and don't act the same as they would in person. I fall guilty to this myself at times, but it is best when we all act the same as in person.
** (Not the people at Wal-Mart though.**)

Did you know Walmart, just as with Kmart (now defunct) to this day never hyphenated its name?

M4Madness · October 13, 2024 4:41PM

Yep, Walmart used to be hyphenated.

CRHer700 · October 13, 2024 4:42PM

@blitzdude said:
Detective dan and Lieutenant lermish. Every board has them. Wannabe cyber security mods. In their brainz it reinforces their pathetic existence. RGDS!

RGDS reinforces yours.

Married2Coins · October 13, 2024 4:42PM

I feel really sorry for any poster who calls/thinks any other poster here is a know-it-all. I feel especially sorry for those who block others.

I've been around some of the top brains in aerospace and the way they communicate as know-it-all's makes my skin crawl but you know what, they appear to know their stuff. I never met one who had a closed mind and was not eager to to increase and share knowledge with others on or even bellow (me) their level of expertise.

And that's the thing. I'm not jealous of their knowledge or the crappy way they sometimes come across. I'm not a whining little numismatist.

braddick · October 13, 2024 4:52PM

Thank-you Liquid-ated and M4Mad-ness for the clarifications.

JBK · October 13, 2024 4:55PM

@7Jaguars said:
Sometimes when it comes to “know-it-alls” , I think of the late Linus Pauling - the only person to win TWO Nobel Prizes.
He used to recount that even some person walking the streets might have an insight/observation that have never occurred to him.

At the risk of sounding like a know-it-all....

Five people have won two Nobel Prizes.

Two laureates have been awarded twice but not in the same field: Marie Curie (Physics and Chemistry) and Linus Pauling (Chemistry and Peace).

One person, Linus Pauling, has won two undivided Nobel Prizes.

So, Linus did set a record, but there is a bit more to it.

dcarr · October 13, 2024 4:56PM

There is one extreme case in particular on another forum, and that person was previously kicked off of this one.

7Jaguars · October 13, 2024 4:58PM

Ok but not really the point I was trying to make.
However on that topic the shared prizes IMHO don’t carry the same cache as an individual prize. Also if you do know the history, he arguably would have won one or two more but his politics judged not acceptable by many.

Married2Coins · October 13, 2024 5:09PM

@dcarr said:
There is one extreme case in particular on another forum, and that person was previously kicked off of this one.

That person's posts must be archived here. I'm on every major forum and have never seen such a person - only the members calling various posters know-it-all's and bragging about blocking them. They are the people I feel sorry for.

BTW, I would put you into the category of being a "good" know-it-all.

lermish · October 13, 2024 5:17PM

@blitzdude said:
Detective dan and Lieutenant lermish. Every board has them. Wannabe cyber security mods. In their brainz it reinforces their pathetic existence. RGDS!

I don't even know where to start. Hmm. How about this:

Every single person that pays attention thinks your posts are worthless and delusional. You have never added a single comment of value in this forum and I've never seen a person have even a sliver of respect for you. THKS

jmlanzaf · October 13, 2024 5:22PM

.

jmlanzaf · October 13, 2024 5:24PM

@M4Madness said:
Yep, Walmart used to be hyphenated.

Thank God we settled that. 😀

alaura22 · October 13, 2024 5:32PM

AHHH, Love is in the air,

asheland · October 13, 2024 5:36PM

Definitely an interesting thread! I feel I have a moderate amount of coin knowledge, and I am always happy to share it when I can, but I’m the first to admit I have a lot to learn myself, and this board has always been my absolute favorite anywhere on the Internet.

Every member on this board I consider as friends. There’s so much ugliness in this world these days, this place is my escape from that.

Mizzou · October 13, 2024 6:11PM

I think everyone needs to wax rhapsodically and get along

Raybo · October 13, 2024 6:29PM

@Mizzou said:
I think everyone needs to wax rhapsodically and get along

What!?

BLUEJAYWAY · October 13, 2024 6:36PM

One thing I have learned in life. The message is heeded to contingent on who the messenger is.

lermish · October 13, 2024 6:36PM

@Raybo said:

@Mizzou said:
I think everyone needs to wax rhapsodically and get along

What!?

That's for my benefit. I'm now 4 for 4 of my four least favorite people on this forum calling me out in this thread. Appreciate the free rent in your heads gentlemen!

MsMorrisine · October 13, 2024 6:38PM

i'm here for the post count

if i have to argue with someone to justify it, let me know

messydesk · October 13, 2024 6:58PM

... I'm just seeing if any of them show up here.

percyb · October 13, 2024 7:06PM

Lots of extremely knowledgeable folks on these boards. I’m humbled by the knowledge I’ve gleaned from others here.

Why is there always a "know-it-all" on these boards - it seems the Coin Community has so many!

Comments