After all, a scalpel in the hand of a passionate hobbyist is still a scalpel. And surgery is best left to those who passed the exam.
For decades, we operated under a simple hierarchy. At the bottom were the Novices (just learning the rules). Above them were the Amateurs (playing for love, not money). At the top were the Professionals (trained, certified, and paid for mastery). overdeveloped amatures
Twenty years ago, if you wanted to produce a Hollywood-quality film, you needed a million-dollar camera. Today, you need an iPhone and DaVinci Resolve (free software). If you wanted to trade stocks like a hedge fund, you needed a seat on the exchange. Today, you need Robinhood and a Wi-Fi connection. Result: The amateur now wields the tools of the professional without the professional’s risk management or ethics. After all, a scalpel in the hand of
They are dangerous. They are brilliant. And they are rewriting the rules of every industry. How does an amateur become "overdeveloped"? It happens in three specific ways: At the bottom were the Novices (just learning the rules)
However, as consumers of their work—whether it is financial advice, fitness plans, or political commentary—we need a new literacy. We must stop asking "Are you a professional?" and start asking "What do you have to lose?"