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<p>[QUOTE="John gyger, post: 7854655, member: 120945"]Semantics provides for distinctions without differences when the reality is that knowledge of numismatics is a continuum. Some have more knowledge than others (a known, known). It is the way of things. One of my standards is to be in the upper 50th percentile of the big things in life and the specific subjects which are are important to me in order to have the life I wished to have. I am 63 y/o and started collecting at age 12 and, I like to think I know a bit about Morgan dollars. Yesterday I had a table at the Lebanon (PA) coin club coin show. Nice people, nice show. A gentleman was looking thru one of my boxes of Morgan’s and was making comments (VAM’s, breaks, laminations,die characteristics) along the way. An hour later I had gotten an education I would have gladly paid for. He pointed out aspects of the Morgans that I was clueless to. At that moment, being the pupil, I wisely listened, ears, eyes open, mouth shut except for questions. Beware the pride that accompanies a little bit of knowledge. That pride can lead to type 2 errors (I don’t know what I don’t know). In those moments it is important to play the fool and ask the dumb questions. The knowledge he imparted was invaluable and I sucked it up, everything I could. My work is as a critical care RN and am often in situations where folks are being evaluated based on how many letters appear after their name on their name tag. I am frequently compared/attempted diminishment, because I insist that the only two letters after my name on my badge is RN despite having several others.</p><p>Ascribing titles to people implies a certain level of competence via testing. This of course is wrong as interactions with titled/smart people continue to disappoint one and all.</p><p>Point is, if you or others consider you as a numismatist is immaterial.</p><p>Does the activity bring joy or satisfaction of some type. If so, continue the activity for respite or inspiration and give a polite nod to those who do not know you but are able to define you because of where you compare to them according to them.</p><p>As is said, “comparison is the thief of joy”</p><p>Gotta like coins though.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="John gyger, post: 7854655, member: 120945"]Semantics provides for distinctions without differences when the reality is that knowledge of numismatics is a continuum. Some have more knowledge than others (a known, known). It is the way of things. One of my standards is to be in the upper 50th percentile of the big things in life and the specific subjects which are are important to me in order to have the life I wished to have. I am 63 y/o and started collecting at age 12 and, I like to think I know a bit about Morgan dollars. Yesterday I had a table at the Lebanon (PA) coin club coin show. Nice people, nice show. A gentleman was looking thru one of my boxes of Morgan’s and was making comments (VAM’s, breaks, laminations,die characteristics) along the way. An hour later I had gotten an education I would have gladly paid for. He pointed out aspects of the Morgans that I was clueless to. At that moment, being the pupil, I wisely listened, ears, eyes open, mouth shut except for questions. Beware the pride that accompanies a little bit of knowledge. That pride can lead to type 2 errors (I don’t know what I don’t know). In those moments it is important to play the fool and ask the dumb questions. The knowledge he imparted was invaluable and I sucked it up, everything I could. My work is as a critical care RN and am often in situations where folks are being evaluated based on how many letters appear after their name on their name tag. I am frequently compared/attempted diminishment, because I insist that the only two letters after my name on my badge is RN despite having several others. Ascribing titles to people implies a certain level of competence via testing. This of course is wrong as interactions with titled/smart people continue to disappoint one and all. Point is, if you or others consider you as a numismatist is immaterial. Does the activity bring joy or satisfaction of some type. If so, continue the activity for respite or inspiration and give a polite nod to those who do not know you but are able to define you because of where you compare to them according to them. As is said, “comparison is the thief of joy” Gotta like coins though.[/QUOTE]
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