I 'm not an expert but i do know that there are a lot more experts today than before, and that it's easier for an intelligent person to become an expert much quicker than the time it took in the past to acquire the required experience. I also know how one can become an expert, you just need a good understanding of the scientific method and access to information.

I think the author is just lamenting on the lost prestige and authority of experts. It was inevitable to happen, as knowledge is cheapening. I would like to say i sympathize with him, but i don't, there's no evidence that the experts of yesterday were any better than the experts of today.

The real thing to lament about is how expertise has been superseded by popularity.