There is a tendency on the part of some here to fail to recognize one
distinction and to impose other distinctions that make no sense.

First, there is no difference between how beginners should learn and how
experienced artists should learn. Both involve having a high standard and
putting in the actual work to approach that standard. It does not follow
logic and serves no positive purpose to suggest that beginners should learn
only by watching and in a no-expectation environment and that experienced
artists should learn in demanding and intimidating one. People learn by
doing and by doing, repetitiously - augmented by (not substituted with!)
theory instruction. Training methods are either good or bad, not "newbie or
elite."

Also, believing that elements like hard work and repetition and standards
are to be relegated to experienced or advanced growers/artists is a false
belief. This is another odd distinction that has been invented and held to
by some.

Too many don't seem to recognize the distinction between championing good
training, hard work and standards and championing condescension, elitism and
worthless criticism. There is a great distinction between these ideals and
to lump them together (leaning heavily toward the latter group when someone
suggests the former group) is vacuous, unfair and unkind.

Surely there are many, especially beginners, who are not interested in
developing great skill or understanding. Keeping happy, beautiful trees
that meet with their own approval is plenty for some and this is wonderful.
However, there is no reason that those who subscribe to this ideal should
feel compelled to offer up their ideas as counter to the ideals of those who
want to become better artists. The two ideals are not antithetical, they're
merely two sides of the same coin. The one does not diminish the other so
there is no reason for antagonism and debate between the two ideals.
Rather, the one simply has nothing to do with the other.

There can logically be no value judgments in this regard, so to suggest that
one is better than the other is a non sequitur. Those who have no interest
in furthering theirs or others' skill and understanding should not be
shouting down the positive (even if uncomfortable) insights from those who
are so interested. Can we operate instead under the idea that one is
"different" from the other? That would surely save us all a lot of
pointless debate.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
zone 8, Texas

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