Recently Chris Botti played the national anthem for a Monday Night Football game. By the time I was in my office Tuesday morning, trumpet players had spent a considerable amount of time online discussing Mr. Botti’s performance. This can be the best part of the internet- players of all levels able to communicate, from all over the world, with each other. Unfortunately what actually happens way too often is the discussion sinks to the lowest possible level, usually driven by people posting anonymously. Inevitably lines are drawn and sides are taken- “he’s great” vs. “he’s terrible”, “you can’t do it so you can’t criticize” vs. “I’m as good as he is”, and my all time favorite:

I’m entitled to my opinion

No. You’re not. Not always.

Sure, you’re entitled to your opinion on what is the best ice cream flavor. You’re even entitled to your opinion on which is the best holiday (it’s Thanksgiving…more on that later).

But if you’re saying that Mr. Botti is not any good, you’re not entitled to that opinion, because you’re just wrong. I’m not saying you have to run out and buy his recordings, or go see him in concert the next time he’s in your town. What I’m saying is this:

Chris Botti is a professional trumpet player and musician who performs at a professional level

Now you might be asking:

Joey, what gives you the right to write this?

I’m glad you asked. Because I’m an expert in this area.

The internet has provided access to millions of people. But just because you have access does not mean you have expertise.

What I see happening online is disturbing. There are people posting so often that their voices are heard more, and they are therefore treated as experts. But a lot of these people have no standing in the real world. Recently, I read as the Associate Principal Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Third Trumpet of the New York Metropolitan Orchestra were, separately, berated online for offering their opinions on some trumpet related matters. I’d like to say that I was amazed, but considering what I’ve read in the past few years online, I was just sad.

You might be asking:

Well, what can we do about it?

I’m so glad you asked. You are full of good questions today.

We need to make the online community more representative of the real world.

Here’s what I mean by that. Let’s say you have a trumpet related question.

-In the real world, if you’re in school, you would probably ask your teacher and some of your classmates. If you’re not in school, you might ask your colleagues and other people you trust. When given responses, you would likely thank them, even if you didn’t fully agree with what they said, as I know you to be nothing if not polite and gracious. It’s also likely that you would give more weight to the answers from your teachers and colleagues for whom you have respect.

-Online, you might post your question on a message board or forum. When a professional offers a response, it might be a good idea to thank them and try out their advice. When another person replies telling the professionals that they have no idea what they’re talking about, I’d like to see the online community ignore them.

I am in no way saying that all professionals agree on all matters, or that you can’t get good information from other sources.

What I am saying is, if we want the online community to operate at its highest possible level:

Listen to the experts who take the time to offer advice. Ignore the people that seem focused on tearing down, rather than building up. Post as if you’re speaking to a roomful of strangers.

I know we can do better. Let’s start now.