Hi Julie,

: Having read Nick's guidelines, I see it as a matter of being honest about
: one's affiliation. Disclosing that one is a professional builder/designer
: is not the same as advertising.... rather, that disclosure enables others
: to either embrace one's words ("aha! an expert who knows what he/she
: is talking about!) or discount them ("ah... a professional
: designer/builder.. no wonder he/she said that." It's about being
: ethical -- which means laying one's cards on the table.

Interesting....however the problem with laying one's cards on the table in a discussion is that people look at the source and not the idea. When this happens many great ideas and viewpoints are discounted because they come from an 'unqualified' individual.

I run into this in karate discussions. People who demand to know my rank and experience are ALWAYS looking to discredit me because their idea is in trouble and soon to be proven wrong. My standard answer is, 'I will tell you my rank as soon as it becomes important to the discussion".

: It's the same deal when I engage in discussions about religion with people. I
: feely disclose that I am an ordained clergy person -- not because I'm out
: to convert everybody, but so they will know where I'm coming from...and
: either believe me or write me off, accordingly. To hide that, out of fear
: that I'd be perceived as advertising, is dishonest.

What about if your idea conflicts with someone else's and you are believed because of your position when it is the other person who's idea is correct?
Isn't there a danger of this happening? Isn't this a simple way for people in authority to discredit others? (Of course I know this never happens in real life but I suggest that it could!!)

(The Nothing) Ian {:o)