Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »
Fri 01 Jan 2010Innovate This
OPINION:What chance do the people with the answers have in the face of the white noise created by amateurs?
BEING ESSENTIALLY useless at life core skills – decorating, mending things, car stuff – means I have a troubling relationship with expertise. When I buy a car I demand the owner show me the engine and then stand with my hand on the bonnet staring in at it, nodding; the rigour of my inspection never moving beyond the big question of “has it got one?” When a plumber came to fix the boiler he had to follow me around the house as I tried to find it, opening cupboards full of breakfast cereal and children’s clothes.
Choose a Subscription type - required
