Listen to Experts

In 1880, a group of educators, policymakers, and scientists gathered in Milan for the Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf. The goal was clear: to decide the best method for educating deaf children moving forward. However, there was one glaring issue that went largely unnoticed. Almost none of the participants at this conference were deaf themselves. These men—most of whom had little to no experience living with deafness—were about to make decisions that would impact generations of deaf people. And what they decided would change the course of deaf education for decades.

The central debate at the conference was whether deaf children should be taught through oralism, a method that focused on teaching speech and lip-reading, or whether they should be educated using sign language, the natural mode of communication within the deaf community. Advocates of oralism believed that speech would allow deaf individuals to integrate more easily into the hearing world. They argued that teaching sign language would keep deaf people isolated, separate from society.

But those in favor of sign language argued otherwise. They believed that deaf children should be taught in the language that came most naturally to them, enabling them to communicate freely and fully. For them, sign language was more than just a tool—it was a rich, visual language that allowed deaf individuals to express themselves completely.

The vote at the conference was decisive. The attendees, most of whom had no personal understanding of what it meant to be deaf, overwhelmingly voted in favor of oralism. The decision came with sweeping consequences. As the outcome of the Milan Conference spread, schools across Europe and North America adopted oralism as the primary method for educating deaf children. Sign language was banned in many classrooms, and teachers began forcing children to speak, often punishing them for using sign language.

The majority of these educators believed they were doing the right thing, but they lacked insight into the reality of deaf life. The result was devastating. Deaf children struggled to keep up, unable to effectively master speech and lip-reading, and many were left feeling isolated, cut off from both the hearing world and their own community. It was a tragedy born from good intentions but deep misunderstanding.

Years later, the Milan Conference decision would be recognized as a colossal mistake. Sign language, which had been dismissed and demonized, was eventually reinstated as a valuable and necessary part of deaf education. But for many deaf individuals, the damage had already been done.

The lesson here is simple: the people at the Milan Conference thought they knew what was best, but they were disconnected from the lived experiences of those they were making decisions for. This same principle can apply to your financial life. All too often, people take advice from those who have no real understanding of what they're talking about—people who haven’t experienced the financial challenges they’re giving advice on, or worse, who aren't trained in the subject at all.

Today, the financial world is flooded with so-called “experts” on social media platforms like TikTok. Many of these influencers dish out advice on everything from day trading to buying cryptocurrency, often making complex financial strategies sound simple and risk-free. But, much like the educators at the Milan Conference, many of these influencers have no real expertise, no certifications, and no accountability. They are giving advice based on surface-level knowledge, with little regard for the long-term impact on their audience. Just like the oralists at the Milan Conference, their intentions may be good, but the consequences of following such uninformed advice can be disastrous.

You wouldn’t trust a doctor who wasn’t qualified, or a mechanic who didn’t know how to fix cars. Financial advice should be no different. When it comes to your money, don’t be swayed by flashy TikTok videos or advice from people who don’t understand the full picture. Seek guidance from professionals who have the experience and credentials to back up their recommendations—preferably a fiduciary or CFP who is legally bound to act in your best interest. Just as deaf individuals needed educators who understood their unique challenges, you need a financial advisor who truly understands your needs and goals.

Trusting the wrong sources can lead you down a path of frustration and financial setbacks. Choose wisely, and make sure the advice you're getting is grounded in expertise, not guesswork.