Who defines taste?

This question has been egging at me for some time now. Whenever I mention that I'm a design student people often have a few opinions. Some think it's an interesting career, some don't know what it is, and several people also think that I believe that I have a better opinion on things for that reason. I sometimes do feel that since I have an education in design, and have learned design basics, then yes, I do know more about design, but what does that mean. Does my knowledge of design mean that my opinion is worth any more than anyone else?

I've always found the "La-Z-Boy coach" mentality a bit odd, millions of people sit at home on any given Sunday watching whatever game or race they choose, and no matter what, they will always have a shouting match with the television, I know I'm guilty of this, being a rabid Kentucky basketball fan. We always sit in our recliners, sandwich and chips in hand with a cold drink beside us, telling the coach or driver how to do their job. We feel that our opinion is better than theirs, but when it comes down to it, there's a reason that coach or driver, or whomever is in the position they are in. They have showcased excellence and knowledge in their field, and have therefore been given the responsibility to make those decisions. But sure enough, we'll sit there dejected after a loss and say how things would be different if we were the coach.

I feel the same way about the design world, most notably with Chris Bangle. People sit and complain about everything remotely related to the man. People say that they hate how Chris Bangle has "ruined" BMW. I find it amusing. Chris Bangle have thought a BMW should be more than a box on wheels, he pushed the design and because of that people hated him. I also feel that part of the blame placed on him was because the vast amount of people complaining about the design language think he's the only designer BMW had. The truth is, had 98% of these people been responsible for a design project, they'd end up with the4 "Homer" google it, it ain't pretty.

Now, you may be thinking that I'm a stuck up pretentious design student that knows nothing but thinks he does. It's an interesting idea, but that's just one side that I've thought about.

The world of design seems to be run by a group of aristocrats(the designers) who decide what is and isn't right. Now, this begs a question, if humanity is mainly democratic, with the majority choosing what is right and wrong, so shouldn't the masses decide what taste is? I know there are things that I love that the average joe probably wouldn't like at all. So the question is, why should my opinion be worth any more than his? He has a brain, an opinion, and his own taste. So, shouldn't the mass of people be able to agree on what taste is. Or would that make too much sense to work?

So here we have the question for you to ponder, who should define taste? The "educated few" or the "opinionated masses".

Should the masses follow the few's lead or should the few design for the masses, this seems to be a question that will forever circle around my mind.