Next Time You See An "EXPERT" On TV . . .

[iLander]

So, I really hesitated on posting this, but frankly, it's so freaky I am compelled to find out if you think the same thing that I do.

I'm sure a few of you have heard of Nouriel "Dr. Doom" Roubini, an "expert" economist that "predicted" the housing bubble and it's ultimate crash. He was trotted out on numerous TV business news shows and various pundits made him out to be a genius, with the crystal ball for our economy.

Then I started to find out more about this guy. He's apparently quite a party animal! He had a loft in Tribeca in NYC, often filled with models and lovely women, heavy drinking, all night parties, etc. Not exactly a sober economist. That's fine, he can work hard and play hard, whatever.

But then I found out about his "decor" in his apartment, which he is trying to sell. Apparently, it has plaster casts of the MOST intimate parts of the female anatomy speckled about on his walls.

WARNING: This link is not for those under 21!! http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/03/nouriel_roubinis_wall_vaginas.html

Well, for me, this totally blows his credibility. I think it is poor judgement, and is pretty disgusting, to have this type of thing in your apt. So, does a particularly disgusting episode in someone's private life ruin their credibility in public life? I think it does, and just adds to my skepticism when I am presented with an "expert" by the media.

If this was on a job applicant's facebook page, should it affect their consideration for the job? Does it depend on the job? Like this might be okay for an economist, but not your family doctor? Hopefully not for your clergy! (joke)

What do you think?

 

[ksinger]

So, I really hesitated on posting this, but frankly, it's so freaky I am compelled to find out if you think the same thing that I do.

I'm sure a few of you have heard of Nouriel "Dr. Doom" Roubini, an "expert" economist that "predicted" the housing bubble and it's ultimate crash. He was trotted out on numerous TV business news shows and various pundits made him out to be a genius, with the crystal ball for our economy.

Then I started to find out more about this guy. He's apparently quite a party animal! He had a loft in Tribeca in NYC, often filled with models and lovely women, heavy drinking, all night parties, etc. Not exactly a sober economist. That's fine, he can work hard and play hard, whatever.

But then I found out about his "decor" in his apartment, which he is trying to sell. Apparently, it has plaster casts of the MOST intimate parts of the female anatomy speckled about on his walls.

WARNING: This link is not for those under 21!! http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/03/nouriel_roubinis_wall_vaginas.html

Well, for me, this totally blows his credibility. I think it is poor judgement, and is pretty disgusting, to have this type of thing in your apt. So, does a particularly disgusting episode in someone's private life ruin their credibility in public life? I think it does, and just adds to my skepticism when I am presented with an "expert" by the media.

If this was on a job applicant's facebook page, should it affect their consideration for the job? Does it depend on the job? Like this might be okay for an economist, but not your family doctor? Hopefully not for your clergy! (joke)

What do you think?

Two points...

Actually, there were quite a few economists who saw what was coming, but either they didn't speak at all, or loud enough to be heard over the din of greed, some of it their own. And of course there for a time, speaking doom pretty much got you eviscerated professionally. Anyway, here's an interesting recent piece on economists and ethics...
http://www.slate.com/id/2279937/

Second, I've not personally heard of this guy, not watching ANY show that purports to tell me what to think, but considering the fact-free universe that most so-called TV "pundits" live in, I would not have given this guy any credibility from the git-go. That he appears to be something of a perv just shows the sad state of what is trotted out as "news" in this country. The fourth estate is failing miserably. In any case, I prefer economists with some real credentials, like Paul Krugman.

 

[JewelFreak]

Ilander, tv "experts" are 90% bunk! I read an article on how to become a tv "expert." You write a few blogs. Then you take classes on how to look authoritative on camera (they really give these!). Next you get an agent. You send copies of your "articles" to talk-show producers & take local-tv gigs, sending clips to national shows & with luck, you're an Authority in a short time. It requires only 1 appearance on national tv to be booked on more shows.

Did you ever wonder where all the 25-yr-old know-it-alls came from as they pontificate? That's where! They usually know less than you & I about their subjects.

TV eats this garbage up. My favorite (most barf-able): Publicizing Michelle Obama's new deal w/WalMart to stock "healthy" foods & make us all thinner, a young man on tv last night said, with great confidence: "Studies show that when Walmart enters an area, the weight of citizens in that county increases by a pound and a half. So Walmart has an influence on eating habits."

Say what? WHAT studies? I asked:

1. Who surveyed & recorded weights of residents of a county BEFORE Walmart built a store? Is that likely? Who paid for it? We've had several Walmarts open around here -- nobody even knew they were coming, let alone surveyed our collective weight!

2) Who surveyed our weight after it opened? How long after? Why, in all the years before M. Obama got into the act? Who cared?

3) 1 1/2 lbs isn't enough to even call a gain -- it can be water weight, or as my doctor once said, "it can only mean somebody needs to do a big dump" -- pardon language, but he honestly did say that.

The whole statement was total baloney.

I am very skeptical of every "expert" on news or talk shows unless it is someone whose background I know. Just billing themselves that way doesn't make it real.

--- Laurie

 

[Bunny007]

Hmm Definitely not something I'd want on my wall but I don't feel it speaks to his credibility. I've actually not heard of the guy. Maybe he's not credibile at all. I just don't think that's a conclusion I can reach based on his decorating tastes (however bad or pervy)

To answer your second question- I do think this kind of behavior is in poor judgment. I certainly wouldn't hire him!

 

[smitcompton]

Hi All,

Yes, this does change my opinion of him-rightly or wrongly. I think he was a professor of Economics at NYU, but has since left that post. I agree that news is no longer news as we once thought about it. Its tragic--now we have shrill voices and pumpers on CNBC, many who don't even believe in the stocks they are touting. I probably still get sucked in by some "experts, but not too many. I hope

Thanks,
Annette

 

[y2kitty]

I have a friend who is an expert that goes on TV, testifies before Congress, etc, and we spend a lot of time talking about ridiculous stuff like Zoolander. Just because someone is smart doesn't mean they are one dimensional. Most people are more complicated then that.

 

[perry]

The fact that he has a fascination (so to speak) with the female anatomy does not correlate at all to his technical expertise.

I wonder what you think about people who like various works in the museums in europe and elsewhere (but fewer in the US).

I once considered purchasing a nude statue artwork for my home. In the end I did not think I had the space to properly display it. That does not mean it was not a great piece of art.

Perry

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Is that what a v looks like? That wall anatomy just looks like a glob of paint to me.

 

[lucyandroger]

I don't get it What does his apartment decor have to do with his knowledge of economics?

"Experts" are people too. Just like everyone else, they can have hobbies, interests, and taste in artwork that has nothing to do with their chosen profession.

 

[lucyandroger]

Is that what a v looks like? That wall anatomy just looks like a glob of paint to me.

I agree. lol

 

[ksinger]

So, I really hesitated on posting this, but frankly, it's so freaky I am compelled to find out if you think the same thing that I do.

I'm sure a few of you have heard of Nouriel "Dr. Doom" Roubini, an "expert" economist that "predicted" the housing bubble and it's ultimate crash. He was trotted out on numerous TV business news shows and various pundits made him out to be a genius, with the crystal ball for our economy.

Then I started to find out more about this guy. He's apparently quite a party animal! He had a loft in Tribeca in NYC, often filled with models and lovely women, heavy drinking, all night parties, etc. Not exactly a sober economist. That's fine, he can work hard and play hard, whatever.

But then I found out about his "decor" in his apartment, which he is trying to sell. Apparently, it has plaster casts of the MOST intimate parts of the female anatomy speckled about on his walls.

WARNING: This link is not for those under 21!! http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/03/nouriel_roubinis_wall_vaginas.html

Well, for me, this totally blows his credibility. I think it is poor judgement, and is pretty disgusting, to have this type of thing in your apt. So, does a particularly disgusting episode in someone's private life ruin their credibility in public life? I think it does, and just adds to my skepticism when I am presented with an "expert" by the media.

If this was on a job applicant's facebook page, should it affect their consideration for the job? Does it depend on the job? Like this might be okay for an economist, but not your family doctor? Hopefully not for your clergy! (joke)

What do you think?

Two points...

Actually, there were quite a few economists who saw what was coming, but either they didn't speak at all, or loud enough to be heard over the din of greed, some of it their own. And of course there for a time, speaking doom pretty much got you eviscerated professionally. Anyway, here's an interesting recent piece on economists and ethics...
http://www.slate.com/id/2279937/

Second, I've not personally heard of this guy, not watching ANY show that purports to tell me what to think, but considering the fact-free universe that most so-called TV "pundits" live in, I would not have given this guy any credibility from the git-go. That he appears to be something of a perv just shows the sad state of what is trotted out as "news" in this country. The fourth estate is failing miserably. In any case, I prefer economists with some real credentials, like Paul Krugman.

Hmm. I stand corrected or rather, more informed. He really IS a serious economist. Although one has to wonder where he was showing up. If it was on the shows of the hysterical talking heads of the 24-hour "news" cycle, that doesn't speak too well for him, although I guess even they have real people on from time to time. As I said, most of our "pundits" are living in a world where the only thing that leads is the most extreme claims, and they are pretty good at twisting things. Maybe I shall read more of what he had to say now that I know he is the real deal. I'm still not tuning into the TV for anything...

 

[Shoopy]

I know nothing of this guy at all. But my feelings are that as long as someone reports on facts only and are making accurate statements to the best of their knowledge, who they let in their pants is none of my business. This is just my personal opinion but people need to stay out of the business of others if it doesn't pertain to the job being performed. If he were a pastor preaching abstinence till death, then yes he would lose credibility to me. But a man who keeps a small replica of a vagina on his night stand really has nothing to do with his ability to be an economist.

*Edit due to autocorrect on my phone

 

[kennedy]

I can't for the life of me figure out what a person's taste in contemporary art has to do with his professional credibility. Based on this logic, one should routinely ask their doctor or lawyer for photos of their living rooms to ensure they're not displaying any "objectionable" artwork. I prefer to judge my "experts" based on their credentials and their body of work, not on what they do in their free time or what artwork they like. Frankly, what I find truly objectionable is that someone violated his privacy and posted photos of his apartment on the internet without his permission.

 

[House Cat]

When did the vagina become offensive?

 

[kennedy]

When did the vagina become offensive?

Good point!

 

[katamari]

As for the discrediting of science by the lifestyles of one academic? No, thanks.

1. Who surveyed & recorded weights of residents of a county BEFORE Walmart built a store? Is that likely? Who paid for it? We've had several Walmarts open around here -- nobody even knew they were coming, let alone surveyed our collective weight!

2) Who surveyed our weight after it opened? How long after? Why, in all the years before M. Obama got into the act? Who cared?

To JewelFreak's point, there are lots of longitudinal data sets where you could get this information. You would just need to aggregate this data with public business records. The problem is not the data, but the causal argument. There may be an effect, but it is likely so multidimentional that saying it is "because" of WM that is painfully simple. To me, this is where the media's trouble with experts is. They need "talking points" because that is the way they present information. Truth is much more complicated.

And to KSinger, yes, there is an ethical issue, but more than not it is that experts simply aren't asked all that often. It is much easier for the media to use other media figures or pundits to make their stories. At least, IMO, that is why they pass off pundits, bloggers, and other various non-academics as experts instead of the people who actually best know the subject. And, when experts are asked, their work gets boiled down into soundbites (like "WM creates fatties!") that in no way actually reflect the complexity of reality.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

His taste is his private life and, as long as it is legal, no business of mine or anyone. He is an economist, not a moralist, so I see no relationship between what he says as a professional and how he decorates his wall.

 

[Tuckins1]

While I may not agree with his lifestyle, i'm not sure what that has to do with his "credibility". If he was correct, he was correct. I really don't care what people do in their personal life, unless it's hurting other people/animals, like animal abuse, pedophilia, or other sicknesses.

 

[ksinger]

As for the discrediting of science by the lifestyles of one academic? No, thanks.

1. Who surveyed & recorded weights of residents of a county BEFORE Walmart built a store? Is that likely? Who paid for it? We've had several Walmarts open around here -- nobody even knew they were coming, let alone surveyed our collective weight!

2) Who surveyed our weight after it opened? How long after? Why, in all the years before M. Obama got into the act? Who cared?

To JewelFreak's point, there are lots of longitudinal data sets where you could get this information. You would just need to aggregate this data with public business records. The problem is not the data, but the causal argument. There may be an effect, but it is likely so multidimentional that saying it is "because" of WM that is painfully simple. To me, this is where the media's trouble with experts is. They need "talking points" because that is the way they present information. Truth is much more complicated.

And to KSinger, yes, there is an ethical issue, but more than not it is that experts simply aren't asked all that often. It is much easier for the media to use other media figures or pundits to make their stories. At least, IMO, that is why they pass off pundits, bloggers, and other various non-academics as experts instead of the people who actually best know the subject. And, when experts are asked, their work gets boiled down into soundbites (like "WM creates fatties!") that in no way actually reflect the complexity of reality.

Yes, if the response is longer and more complex and nuanced than the average bumper-sticker, the media (and a good portion of the public if the truth be known) don't want to mess with it. Soundbites indeed.

 

[JewelFreak]

1. Who surveyed & recorded weights of residents of a county BEFORE Walmart built a store? Is that likely? Who paid for it? We've had several Walmarts open around here -- nobody even knew they were coming, let alone surveyed our collective weight!

2) Who surveyed our weight after it opened? How long after? Why, in all the years before M. Obama got into the act? Who cared?

To JewelFreak's point, there are lots of longitudinal data sets where you could get this information.

I can't imagine where, Katamari, you'd find this with any reliability or consistency. If you got the info from hospitals or drs., for instance, you'd only have the part of your desired sample who go to drs. in your time period. And 1/12 lbs is so little, it tells nada. People's weight often fluctuates that much during the course of a day.

There may be an effect, but it is likely so multidimentional that saying it is "because" of WM that is painfully simple. To me, this is where the media's trouble with experts is. They need "talking points" because that is the way they present information. Truth is much more complicated.

Very good point -- this is one of the major reasons for constant scares via the media: Correlation does not equal causality. Makes a better sound bite & sells more ads that way, though.

When did the vagina become offensive?

When somebody put it on his wall. As offensive as hanging a photo of men's private parts. Its offensiveness mainly stems from its numbing stupidity. Someone with no imagination saying "Look how open I am! Look how modern!" Bull. How about some standards of intelligence, discriminationation, taste? That is a crock.

--- Laurie

 

[iLander]

Well, I'm with Laurie on this one, I think the guy is tasteless and crass. I think asking for privacy after putting this type of stuff on the walls is a bit contradictory as well. It is there specifically to shock his guests, and to think it wouldn't end up somewhere on the internet (with the preponderance of cell phone cameras in this world) is a bit naive.

I think his credibility (he was quoted in the Wall St Journal, Marketwatch, quite a few business shows) is pretty well blown for me. I do think that in an effort to fill the 24 hour news cycles, they'll take pretty much anybody. I'm sure I'll have my own show soon.

Do I think a nude is tasteless? No, I have an art nouveau nude bronze, and I love it. I think the human form is beautiful when it is art.

So, now that we've expressed our opinions on this (public credibility versus private life), lets' consider these questions:

1) NYU dismissed him as a professor. If this guy was your son or daughter's professor, what would you think?

2) I think there is a fine line between art and craft with shock value. The artist who makes these things, also does castings of male genitalia and sells them. Is it art? There are bakeries that make cakes with genitalia on them. Are they art? What, if anything separates the two?

3) Pretend you're on a blind date with this guy, and you end up back at his apartment. What do you think when you see these things on his walls?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

deleted. don't want my name associated with this nonsense.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

.

 

[iLander]

Where does he get the first casting?

It's my understanding that "fashionable" women and men are literally lining up at Hollywood and NYC parties to have these castings made.

edited to respect MC's privacy.

 

[Bunny007]

Well, I'm with Laurie on this one, I think the guy is tasteless and crass. I think asking for privacy after putting this type of stuff on the walls is a bit contradictory as well. It is there specifically to shock his guests, and to think it wouldn't end up somewhere on the internet (with the preponderance of cell phone cameras in this world) is a bit naive.

I think his credibility (he was quoted in the Wall St Journal, Marketwatch, quite a few business shows) is pretty well blown for me. I do think that in an effort to fill the 24 hour news cycles, they'll take pretty much anybody. I'm sure I'll have my own show soon.

Do I think a nude is tasteless? No, I have an art nouveau nude bronze, and I love it. I think the human form is beautiful when it is art.

So, now that we've expressed our opinions on this (public credibility versus private life), lets' consider these questions:

1) NYU dismissed him as a professor. If this guy was your son or daughter's professor, what would you think?

2) I think there is a fine line between art and craft with shock value. The artist who makes these things, also does castings of male genitalia and sells them. Is it art? There are bakeries that make cakes with genitalia on them. Are they art? What, if anything separates the two?

3) Pretend you're on a blind date with this guy, and you end up back at his apartment. What do you think when you see these things on his walls?

But it's still just a matter of taste. You don't like it, what else can you say? I don't know if any broader conclusions can be drawn.

1) I don't think I'd think anything. In high school I had an art teacher with a huge bronze statute of a woman doing a backbend in his back yard- everybody knew but no one cared. Did NYU dismiss him for this or for some other reason?

2) Art is entirely subjective by nature. What's art to me, may not be art to someone else. I'm not sure there is a line.

3) Ehhh.. hah I'd be a little weirded out.

 

[perry]

Where is the line crossed?

When I was in college (early 80's) I dated a wonderful woman (one of only 3 in my life that I considered marriage material) who took no time (or shame) in showing me the picture (colored pencil) in the family living room done by a female relative that was an artistic drawing of a female from a crotch shot perspective (vagina drawn in clear detail - and the centerpoint of the picture) . Her mother also was rather proud of it.

So it its ok for woman to hang drawings in their living rooms - and be proud of them (in the 1980's); what's the deal now? Or is it that a man had this and not a woman?

Perry

 

[zhuzhu]

I think the classless one in the linked story is Julia Allison, who apparently does not have enough class to check with her host for permission before posting pics of his private home.

There are no correlation between one's intellectual capacity and personal taste in arts. I really don't know what OP is trying to get at.

 

[kennedy]

Well, I'm with Laurie on this one, I think the guy is tasteless and crass. I think asking for privacy after putting this type of stuff on the walls is a bit contradictory as well. It is there specifically to shock his guests, and to think it wouldn't end up somewhere on the internet (with the preponderance of cell phone cameras in this world) is a bit naive.

I think his credibility (he was quoted in the Wall St Journal, Marketwatch, quite a few business shows) is pretty well blown for me. I do think that in an effort to fill the 24 hour news cycles, they'll take pretty much anybody. I'm sure I'll have my own show soon.

Do I think a nude is tasteless? No, I have an art nouveau nude bronze, and I love it. I think the human form is beautiful when it is art.

So, now that we've expressed our opinions on this (public credibility versus private life), lets' consider these questions:

1) NYU dismissed him as a professor. If this guy was your son or daughter's professor, what would you think?

2) I think there is a fine line between art and craft with shock value. The artist who makes these things, also does castings of male genitalia and sells them. Is it art? There are bakeries that make cakes with genitalia on them. Are they art? What, if anything separates the two?

3) Pretend you're on a blind date with this guy, and you end up back at his apartment. What do you think when you see these things on his walls?

What is "contradictory" about putting what he considers art on his walls and expecting privacy from guests he's invited to his home for a party?

As others have already pointed out, there is no single definition of art -- what is beautiful to one person might be obscene to another. In fact, there might be some people out there who would consider your "art nouveau" nude bronze just as distasteful as you seem to find the vaginas on Roubini's wall. If you invited those people to your home and they were outraged by your statue, would it be okay for them to post pictures of your living room on the internet simply because they found it shocking?

Regarding your questions:

1. I find it odd that you say he has been "dismissed" by NYU given that he is currently listed as one of their faculty members. Do you mind sharing the source for your claim that he's been "dismissed" because I can't find any info on that anywhere? To answer the second part of your question, I wouldn't care one iota whether he was my daughter's professor so long as he did his job well.

2. I would be much more interested in what kind of person he is than what he has on his walls. Personally, I find nothing offensive about his artwork. Do I like it? No, but I don't find it to be particularly outrageous.

 

[swimmer]

Hmmm, getting back to the original topic at hand...

Well, in an age of Dr. Phil (who cheated on his first wife with his second wife while running a fraudulent spa company and who hasn't been licensed to treat patients in over 20yrs) is listened to for advice on being honest and having healthy families it isn't much of a surprise that "TV experts" aren't the end all.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

What is "contradictory" about putting what he considers art on his walls and expecting privacy from guests he's invited to his home for a party?

I do expect privacy from my guests, in that I expect them not to post mocking pictures of my things online without permission.

1- I would have no problem with him teaching a child of mine, specially at college level, where the students are adults.
2- Whether it is art or not is irrelevant to the question. Very few of my decorations are art but I like them on my walls.
3- I would think him crass and rather vulgar in his private space and I would not date him again. I would not lose respect for his intellectual and academic capacities.