Wikipedia:Credentials are irrelevant
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In light of the Essjay controversy, a number of editors have become very angry about how User:Essjay misrepresented himself. Yes, he caused a major PR blow to Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation, but don't we have policies that prevent using individual experience? When it comes to editing articles, we must look at the sources which are being used in the article, rather than the credibility of the editor who put it in there. In the end, an expert in the field is helpful, but should those credentials have any effect in editing articles for an encyclopedia where only 3rd party sources are allowed?
Credential trolling
When users use their credentials, real or imagined, to win an argument on a talkpage, to put an end to an edit war, or to circumvent the need to attribute their controversial edits to a reliable source, then they are guilty of trolling. All editors - whether they are world-renowned experts, or 13-year-olds editing from high school - are required to follow Wikipedia policies and guidelines, refrain from adding original research to articles, and contribute only material that can be supported by a reliable source. No Wikipedian's opinion is more valuable than another's.