Are you a Net Bonsai Wanker?
- Thread starter Chris Johnston
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M.B.
Mame
Hm, I was under the impression that to be a Wanker, you had to have a wank, so I took no offense since I don't. According to Wikipedia, I was right. Thanks Yamadori for researching that.
I am a bit amazed at how something thought as a joke or even a marketing ploy, can get so many panties in a bunch. This perception of wether the word is an insult or not reminds me of my 18 year old son's use of the word "b**ch" and I'm not talking beech here. He often calls his friends by that name, as in "Wuz up B**ch. Yesterday he was playing (or should I say blasting) a new song on the radio called "You cry like a b**ch". While I find this mildly offensive to casually throw this word around, it has progressivly become more accepted within society. Or maybe I should say young (modern?) society. I think the word Wanker has changed and become accepted in much the same way. Maybe it has in Europe, but not here, I don't know since we in the US don't even really use the word.
All I can say is lighten up people. You're cryin like a b.... well maybe I won't go there. Life's too short to get all upset over just a sticks and stones kind of word.
Mary B.
I am a bit amazed at how something thought as a joke or even a marketing ploy, can get so many panties in a bunch. This perception of wether the word is an insult or not reminds me of my 18 year old son's use of the word "b**ch" and I'm not talking beech here. He often calls his friends by that name, as in "Wuz up B**ch. Yesterday he was playing (or should I say blasting) a new song on the radio called "You cry like a b**ch". While I find this mildly offensive to casually throw this word around, it has progressivly become more accepted within society. Or maybe I should say young (modern?) society. I think the word Wanker has changed and become accepted in much the same way. Maybe it has in Europe, but not here, I don't know since we in the US don't even really use the word.
All I can say is lighten up people. You're cryin like a b.... well maybe I won't go there. Life's too short to get all upset over just a sticks and stones kind of word.
Mary B.
davetree
Omono
I am from the USA, I don't ever remember anyone ever using the word wanker.
the3rdon
Mame
Yeah, I think us good old red blooded Americans would go more for a name like d***head..
No offense to anyone.. Just something to make u all laugh..
PaulH
Omono
Sorry, folks. Marco is certainly NOT a marketing idiot. He's gotten y'all to use 7 pages so far talking about him and his tool. Makes me wonder just who are the "tools" here...
It's all about exposure of your product to as many impressions as possible.
Well done Marco!
It's all about exposure of your product to as many impressions as possible.
Well done Marco!
Yamadori
Shohin
If it was 7 pages of praise and complements that would be brilliant. These 7 pages are not a great accomplishment for which he should be commended. It is 7 pages of criticism. That would be like saying all the bad press for Toyota is good for sales. Of course nobody says his tool is faulty by any means. I just don't buy the phrase that any publicity is good publicity. It is a Hollywoood phrase created by agents who's clients get bad press. It doesn't necessarily apply to commercial sales.
Yamadori
Shohin
Here is some advice on the topic by Rourk Public Relations, a company who's job it is to know the facts about advertising and reputation, "Any Publicity Is Good Publicity: Wrong! Good publicity is good publicity and bad publicity will ruin your image and harm your business. One of the most untrue statements in public relations lore is “Any publicity is good publicity.” That only applies to rock stars and athletes. When thousands or millions of viewers are exposed to a negative story, it leaves a negative impression. How many negative impressions can you sustain? Reputation management is a 24/7 job. Gauge your events carefully. Think them out. Visualize the positive image you want to convey and prepare accordingly. A great image takes years to build. A bad image comes with one PR miscue."
I learned the meaning of wanker from some English friends several years ago, like the word bullocks, it's a stupid word, but then again so are some brits. Will all the guys on here that haven't been a wanker, hold up your hand ( the one you're not using)....................
keep it green,
Harry
keep it green,
Harry
I learned the meaning of wanker from some English friends several years ago, like the word bullocks, it's a stupid word, but then again so are some brits. Will all the guys on here that haven't been a wanker, hold up your hand ( the one you're not using)....................
keep it green,
Harry
Now THAT'S funny!
I learned the meaning of wanker from some English friends several years ago, like the word bullocks, it's a stupid word, but then again so are some brits. Will all the guys on here that haven't been a wanker, hold up your hand ( the one you're not using)....................
keep it green,
Harry
No kiddn', all the guys on here have been a wanker at one time or another
All joking aside, I still find it funny that the humor isn't found in it by many on here. It goes back to another post of mine where I say as a whole we are too damn uptight!
Kinda odd that probably one of the best artist's in the world, better than everybody in America,save 1, travels the world non stop doing bonsai and sharing his knowledge. He designs a tool that is out of the norm, is cutting edge and has been blasted for it by most eveyrone on the forum here. This goes back to the original ICHIBAN post here last fall.
Since the beginning of his marketing campaign he has taken a different and clever approach to his marketing. From his website to the articles published online and in magazines for the past year, he was outside the box a little and that grabbed attention and made folks smile.
It sounds like the recent ad has made most everyone smile based on what he says, and I know I laughed about it because I wasn't a NBW. Had I thought I was a NBW then maybe I would have responded like..... well I won't go there
I know if I was a bonsai professional, spent a ton of time and money on developing a cool new widget and then a bunch of "internet bonsai experts" sitting behind thier screens blasted me and the tool then I would pissed too. And at the same time, here we all are still discussing it and complaining about it, etc....
Sense of humor, open mind and the ability to just chuckle and shake your head sometimes goes a long ways in life.....
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Bill S
Masterpiece
Not disagreeing much Jason, when I got it, I kinda laughed, and said I bet more than a few get riled. I have sat with Marco for 1/2 a day, I liked him, seems normal enough, I think this was just a bit ill concieved, should have run it thru a few editors first before sending out probably what will be about 50k emails, thats a lot of negative publicity for what was probably supposed to be humorous.
By the way I'm not wasting good bonsai time checking in here, I'm on company time, when I get home I do bonsai work, it's still a hoby for me.
By the way I'm not wasting good bonsai time checking in here, I'm on company time
, when I get home I do bonsai work, it's still a hoby for me.
I don't think anyone here (besides Chris maybe) was too putout by the email. Because I work with someone from England, the term Wanker has been thrown about in the office before and it never fails to crack me up.
I have my doubts that it's really a 7in1 tool, but until I try it, I don't see why i should discount a person I respect like Bill V's endorsement it. It's just at a price of 350.00 it might be something I would like, but not something I believe I need to be better at this craft and I'm sorry if that offends anyone.
I'm not opposed to spending money on tools, as a woodworker I own a beautiful set of rosewood handled squares from Bridge City Tools, and while they work just as well as a far cheaper version, I do believe I enjoy using them more. But that was before I had a kid in college and the realization of what a good tree costs, so for me, that is where my money will go.
There is also the Nick Lenz factor. Working with Nick over the years, I've only once been complimented on one of my tools and that was some Master Mechanic brand needle nose pliers that I was using. I can only imagine the grief I'd get if I pulled this tool out of it's signed wooden box at his place
Oh and M.B, while you might not have a problem with your kid throwing around "Bitch". I can assure you as a father of two daughters, if some kid called one of them a Bitch or Ho like they like to do these days I can assure you they would have some major problems
I have my doubts that it's really a 7in1 tool, but until I try it, I don't see why i should discount a person I respect like Bill V's endorsement it. It's just at a price of 350.00 it might be something I would like, but not something I believe I need to be better at this craft and I'm sorry if that offends anyone.
I'm not opposed to spending money on tools, as a woodworker I own a beautiful set of rosewood handled squares from Bridge City Tools, and while they work just as well as a far cheaper version, I do believe I enjoy using them more. But that was before I had a kid in college and the realization of what a good tree costs, so for me, that is where my money will go.
There is also the Nick Lenz factor. Working with Nick over the years, I've only once been complimented on one of my tools and that was some Master Mechanic brand needle nose pliers that I was using. I can only imagine the grief I'd get if I pulled this tool out of it's signed wooden box at his place
Oh and M.B, while you might not have a problem with your kid throwing around "Bitch". I can assure you as a father of two daughters, if some kid called one of them a Bitch or Ho like they like to do these days I can assure you they would have some major problems
Victrinia Ridgeway
Omono
Just a mathimatical observation. 3% positive response does not a majority make. That there were so few negative respondents isn't telling... most people will just delete it rather than make a fuss.
And just so there is balance in the world... I have to disagree with your ranking of him... but like your own, that's just my opinion.
V
And just so there is balance in the world... I have to disagree with your ranking of him... but like your own, that's just my opinion.
V
M.B.
Mame
Fangorn, I think you hit the nail on the head with "like they do these days". Funny thing is he never calls a girl or woman that name, only certain male friends and believe me I remind him that's not appreciated every time I hear it. I guess they think it's cool/hip or funny, I don't know. You can imagine his response to my threatening him with getting the soap for his potty mouth like he had when he was a child. That's right, by today's standards I'd be labeled a child abuser, years ago popular opinion would say I was just being a good mother.
My point was that the meaning of certain words have changed over the years, or maybe some of us have just become desensitized as it gets used so much. What was thought to be a terrible insult years ago slowly becomes the accepted or ignored norm.
I agree with Jason, some people ARE much too uptight.
Hey Al, I thought I'd help you out as best I could. I got something for the general area, but it may not help enough with the itching so you may need to see a doctor.
Mary B.
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agraham
Shohin
Jason,
We all have our idols and teachers. We think ours are the best. This statement....."better than everybody in America,save 1," is highly inflammatory. You have slighted the American masters. You could be accused of....dare I say...... masterbashing.
We all have our idols and teachers. We think ours are the best. This statement....."better than everybody in America,save 1," is highly inflammatory. You have slighted the American masters. You could be accused of....dare I say...... masterbashing.
Mojosan
Mame
I wonder if there is an American master with the last name of Bates?
ianb
Shohin
Yeah but he hangs out with his good sailing buddy Seaman Staines
LOL, Master bashing!
Marco is not an idol nor a teacher of mine. I make this statement based on the fact of his training, more years than anyone in the US, graduated from Salvatore Liporace bonsai academy and 4 years with Master Kimura. (4 years with Kimura is worth 10+ yrs with any other master!) The fact that he travels the world constantly teaching bonsai, is still one of if not the top draw in America and his work is very very high quality in every single facet of bonsai. Marco is truly an artist, love him or hate him you can't deny that fact. He knows techniques that only 1 other American knows (who also studied with Kimura), and is a tree broker for some of the most famous trees in the world. Just because 5 clubs in California turned him down doesn't mean much, Cali isn't the be all end all in bonsai and people get turned away all the time for many different reasons. Marco still tours the US and will be in the NW in Nov. I think.
That isn't master bashing on the Americans at all, just stating the facts. The only other person in America that has more training and a bigger bag of tricks is Ryan Neil. And give him a few months and he will be the top draw in America, (I would say he already is based on his bookings).
Just my thoughts
Victrinia Ridgeway
Omono
Kimura is not the begining and the end of bonsai... in fact - no one is. For our country, it's kind of like Kennedy... it was over when Naka died... that idea that one person could unify/shape the majority of the nation's bonsai artists. But that was always his gift... even more than bonsai... was how to handle people. Many of these younger set could learn a thing or ten from his legacy.
V
V
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