Andrew Leigh completed as a wonk?

johnboy said :

To be honest if you’re unfamiliar with wonk in it’s use to describe policy experts it would be best to refrain from commenting.

Ignorance is not the best place from which to mount a criticism.

(snigger) it’s use?

The trouble with self-deprecating humour on Twitter is that the whole thing exists only to publicise the individual; to keep him in people’s minds, so Andrew Leigh sneaking in a mildly self-critical word like wonk makes it sound like ‘Look at me, look at me (I’m overwhelmingly educated but I have a *cool* sense of humour)’.

Comments on websites are totally different. Of course.

maybe someone needs to make a flowchart for anyone over the age of 25:

Was the word used by a teenager / rap star / painfully cool person -> urban dictionary
Was it used by a relatively normal person without a penchant for crudeness -> google define:

wonk
Noun:
A studious or hardworking person: “any kid interested in science was a wonk”.
A person who takes an excessive interest in minor details of political policy: “a policy wonk”.

johnboy said :

Wonk is hardly twitter exclusive. And if not ignorant then what word would you suggest?

While “ignorant” might technically be the correct word for someone who is in ignorance of the true meaning, you must know that it sounds a little harsh.

My familiarity with the term “wonk” seems to be similar to those expressed above, with the exception that I’ve never ever heard it as being exclusive to policy. To me, had he said “policy wonk” it would have sounded perfectly understandable, however just saying “wonk” made me wonder WTF he was on about until I read everyones discussion of the subject.

johnboy said :

To be honest if you’re unfamiliar with wonk in it’s use to describe policy experts it would be best to refrain from commenting.

Ignorance is not the best place from which to mount a criticism.

Most of us are not as erudite as you or the subject of this blog JB, so when some of us consult a cyber dictionary and quote our sources it is unfair to call us ignorant, especially as the definition chosen was kind.
Psychiatrists are suggesting people who use Twitter are likely to have NPD. Indeed, at least one of the two politicians that are battling for leadership of a destroyed political party are suffering from NPD.
If you want to ban Rioters who aren’t Twits or whatever you call yourselves from contributing, at least have the cojones to say so. Don’t just label us as ignorant.

dungfungus said :

Not knowing what a “wonk” was I have consulted the Urban Dictionary.
There are several definitions, some very unflattering.
The one I believe is most apt is:
Noun – An expert in a field, typically someone who is fairly young and very intelligent.

Sounds like someone has NPD as well.

Really? Have you looked at his CV? http://andrewleigh.org/pdf/CV.pdf
His academic record suggests he’s around 40. He became a full professor at ANU 3 years ago and has an impressive publication record. I’d have no problem applying your definition to him.

c_c said :

No, just proves what a complete tool and a low altitude flyer this guy really is. I mean bragging on Twitter about having your name in a Harvard citation really does show what a midget he is compared to real academics.

I think the link to your own high-altitude research must have been cut off.

johnboy said :

To be honest if you’re unfamiliar with wonk in it’s use to describe policy experts it would be best to refrain from commenting.

Ignorance is not the best place from which to mount a criticism.

+1 [wink] 🙂

Not knowing what a “wonk” was I have consulted the Urban Dictionary.
There are several definitions, some very unflattering.
The one I believe is most apt is:
Noun – An expert in a field, typically someone who is fairly young and very intelligent.

Sounds like someone has NPD as well.

Well, I guess posting crap on Twitter like this avoids having to deal with real issues like choosing Team Julia or Team Kevin.