A fascinating study (for both the buyer and the seller of services) on the impact of a “consultant” on decision making. Summary at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323211931.htm People will make bad financial decisions based on the advice of an expert because they shut down their own independent thought processes. It is logical to assume that it will also hold for crop consultants, insurance consultants, religious consultants, medical consultants, etc.