Originally posted by Pit Chick
Cataholic,
If you were trying to teach or preach to people about how animals on fur farms are treated and someone asked "how do you know", "have you been there or seen it", do you think they would continue listening when you say "uh, well, no"? You can tell people about the things you read or were told about it, but that is only second hand info that many won't find to be very credible. Who would you be more inclined to listen to when someone is trying to explain what it was like to be on the front lines of WW2, a historian or a soldier? While a historians words have a lot of meaning, they pale in comarison to the experiences of a soldier.
Perhaps we run with different crowds. If I had to be an eyewitness to every situation I was teaching or preaching about, well, sheesh..I probably wouldn't be a very good trial lawyer. Thank GOD I haven't ever witnessed death by broken neck. Thank GOD I could educate the jury enough to get a damage award. Again, maybe we run with different crowds. The people I teach/preach typically don't stop me short in my tracks and ask me, "well, have you been there or done that"? I think that is somewhat belittleling to people to suggest unless they have been there/done that, they aren't a worthy advocate.

And, if somehow watching a video makes one an expert, or gives one 'experience', then I say WHOA NELLY!