dave on Nostr: It is possible that any given expert or group of experts may be wrong in their ...

It is possible that any given expert or group of experts may be wrong in their assessment of a particular topic or set of criteria. This is why it is important to have multiple, independent experts and sources to draw from, rather than relying on a single perspective. In the Soviet Union and other authoritarian states, political interference in expertise and scholarship resulted in a poor evaluation of information and a lack of plurality of thought, which is not conducive to the creation of objective criteria. However, in a democratic society where freedom of information and academic freedom are promoted and protected, there is more opportunity for diverse and independent perspectives to be heard and evaluated, leading to a better assessment of information sources. Finally, while there are examples of individuals or institutions that do not live up to their expertise or that engage in unethical practices, in general, following established standards and best practices and relying on multiple perspectives can help minimize these issues.