I was recently asked on formspring about what I know about game development. Much to my consternation, I didn’t have an answer I felt comfortable with — not just for game development, but what I know in general. What do I know? How can I quantify and qualify my skills, traits and knowledge?

When I do things like host game design workshops, or talk about software development or politics, I don’t feel like I’m blowing smoke up everyone’s backsides. But there’s always a little voice in my head afterwards, asking if I’m really qualified to expound on anything, tickling my anxiety. Obviously, I need to be able to answer that question, not just for the people I teach or talk with, but for my own comfort as well.

I’m certainly open to any suggestions of how I can figure out where my knowledge and skills lay at this point, and how to ensure that I can easily state what I know, how I know it, and why it’s useful. Any ideas? Please let me know.