The Age of the Ultracrepidarian

Apelles of Kos, one of the famous painters of Ancient Greece, often brought his paintings to the village square to gain some real-time feedback. On one of these occasions, a shoemaker noted the sandals on a character in the painting and criticized their shape.

Apelles took note of the feedback and changed the painting. When he brought it back to the public square, the shoemaker then began to critique other aspects of the painting. To which Apelles replied, supra crepidam sutor iudicaret” , meaning “do not judge anything apart from the sandals".

Latin word ultra -beyond, and crepida -a sandal

Ultracrepidarians hate science. They hate evidence. It exposes their opinions for what they are — mere opinions without the knowledge or experience to support them.

Science demands skepticism. It may start with an opinion, but no opinion is allowed to continue without test.

• Are you trying to help someone do what’s best for them or promote your own agenda?
• Are you trying to help others on their own journey or are you looking to inflate your own ego?
• Are you working in absolutes, never or always, or do you recognize that life includes much more nuance?