Andy,
I agree! :-O

Colin

From: Andy Rutledge

What? Is it intimidating for a anyone to practice good technique and
receive correction from a teacher? This has nothing to do with newbies or
experts. The difference between DOING technique rather than watching
technique is that, with the former, one actually learns to do, and with the
latter, one may or may not learn anything (but, gee, it sure is easier and
not intimidating). Understanding something intellectually (which is all
anyone can get from watching) is of little nor no value when you've not put
in the physical work - regularly, properly, on an continual basis.

We can argue all day long about what is "proper" and what is good for
newbies and what is good for experienced bonsai artists, but the only
relevant issue is "what is effective." If it is intimidating to an
individual to have to do actual work to improve skill, then that's their
problem. The fact is what is intimidating to some is usually what is best.
It's intimidating because there is some standard, some level of expectation
from a teacher - which is nothing but good. Settling for less than best
simply because it is less arduous or less intimidating is ridiculous.

You get out of something what you put into it. Tell me, what do you put
into watching a video or watching someone else wire? Sure, if watching is
followed up by lots of actual work, there is value in watching. If not,
then watching is absolutely worthless. But it sure is less intimidating.
;-p

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