Smoke,This seems like a rhetorical question and a projection of an existing philosophy onto a bonsai forum, meaning you taking your views about the world out on us. I see you as a leader on the forum, but the nature of how you ask questions usually makes me want to participate in the forum less. This is fine, but to me, the forums exist almost exclusively because there is not an excess of bonsai authorities. I am still new to bonsai, but have been on the forum for a bit, I can understand most of your references, but I would think only a handful of people have the history on the forum to know what you are talking about. Still it is a valid question, though I need some clarification.
In the white pine thread Chris V. had mentioned that the only way to increase size was thru height. Dario disagreed. He said that a lush branch with leaves (needles) will do the same thing. He also mentioned lanky branches being of no use and how lush branches are better.
What does he base this on?
Experience? Over how many years and how many species.
First, in your example Chris V. is just as at fault as Poink88. Chris V. is (relatively) new to bonsai and provides no pictures or experience to back up his claims. Why do you highlight Poink88 as the failure, when Chris V. is just as guilty? because you agree with Chris? Is this a principled argument?
Second, you recently had a strong pro free market capitalism response to a forum member criticizing someone from peddling junk on ebay. Is it any different when you are shopping for information vs goods on the internet? Buyer beware, especially with free advice. I have trouble resolving your seemingly dissonant attitudes towards trade of goods and trade of information. In essence, the same people who are paying for crud bonsai at the mall and the internet are trying to learn and be heard on the forum. Not everyone, immediately, has a keen sense of value and art and form and truth, especially in a new field.
I still maintain that a good discussion forum should require pictures of past work and success with the species before one opens their mouth. It does no one any good here to just post opinions without substantial backup to ones claims.
Lately I have seen a huge influx of people here new and old asking for the shortest path to making bonsai.
Third, Do you have data/pictures to make the claim about this influx of people or are you just feeling out an idea, saying it out loud to see if its true? The issue of authority is complex, in this case you seem to suggest that there is some fixed absolute authority that should be revered. The problem with this strategy is that it is an oligarchy (I am not trying to be condescending here just simplifying the argument to make my point). In this organization few people have authoritative experience and many acolytes who follow their procession. A different, perhaps sloppier organization, creates a greater distribution of ideas (more freedom) with fewer clear authorities. While it is difficult to tolerate at times, the resistance to authority and headstrong attitude of this organization assures that these new ideas and methods are imbued into a field. This rebellious attitude is not logical, it is cocky and blind, simply because authorities are never completely correct. Most of these people fail, but a few may reach higher than the acyolytes who are largely derivative of their authorities. It is possible that having two communicating populations of either strategy is ultimately more successful than either one alone. Also, the appropriate philosophy (all are not mentioned here) may vary over time and available resources. This means that criticism of a particular philosophy may be premature if their is a long term return on the philosophy. If bonsai is to be an art it can have no absolute authority.
The ability to learn is only governed by ones attitude towards listening.
Then why are you simultaneously asking people to take the autonomous initiative to practice on 10 Junipers? This sort of action would represent some deviation from listening based deference to authority.
There is so much for the small group on our forum to learn from Japan, Europe, little trees, everything and everywhere, and in the end I don't particularly disagree with you, in the sense that all your sentences individually make sense, but as a whole, I have a different strategy towards living and learning.
What do you think happens if one master uses one of those mis-interpretations? Just imagine.
