Ian_Homer

Hi Lindsay,

Have I missed something....where was that stated on here and by whom?

I know Matt has posted figures up here before with regard to how many people post and view here. Whilst I can't speak up for the American Scene, I know that in the UK and Europe, it is far healthier than 10 years and 5 years ago. The number of outlets have increased and the Quality of shows and the display standards have certainly improved. However, what has declined is the number of "visitors" actually buying wares at the shows to the point that some are now un-viable.

Many prefer to shop locally or on-line, an option that was not available 5 and 10 years ago.

Is this giving a false impression of what is actually happening?

I will now go off on a slight tangent, but one I feel is relevant to your initial post.

With regard to the internet, only a small percentage of Bonsaists actually use these forums.

Bonsai is such a small marketplace and there are now SO MANY forums - is this having a detrimental effect on the on-line benefits of such communities?

In a nutshell, people can only spend so much time on-line (perhaps, I spend too much time here as it is myself ). If we are to be expected to flit from one to another to find out whats going on, we could spend hours and hours a day on it. "Hands on" experience is what counts and experimenting or learning by your own endeavours, via a Club, Masters lesson, Nursery or a more experienced person is still the best way to learn.

Where forums do win, is in the saving of time and distance restraints. Some people live in a Bonsai Wilderness and this form of contact is the ONLY way of meeting like minded individuals.

Like most people here (see recent poll), you settle on one you like and stay in that place. I perhaps only have a quick look at IBC once a month - thats it. Other than that, it's BT all the way!!

So, lets say we divide the regular few hundred or so Bonsaists who have a presence on-line between 4, 6, 8 or even 10 forum sites.
The end result, using the fact stated above, is that we see a dilution of content, fewer posts, poorer quality of talent, less participation and then people wonder why things don't seem as busy as they once were.

One thing I ask myself, why do some take it upon themselves to start other forums? Let's face it, most follow the same format with similar threads, topics and functions.

Is it just a "power thing"? Why not contribute more to the ones that exist?
All too often, we see some regular members rambling along, causing conflict or discussing already beaten to death topics, rather than learning to spend more time actually "on the trees" and then contributing in a more positive manner what they have learnt.

As a specialist and small sector - are we in danger of self-destruction?

What we are certainly failing to do - is attracting "new blood".

You see the same regular faces year after year. How often will a show promotor advertise outside of normal Bonsai circles to attract "Joe Public"?

This is where the enthusiasts of the future will come from. Get more involved, more Public Displays, perhaps by Clubs in Shopping Centres etc.... and just by the law of averages, more will become enthused with the Bonsai spirit making the future brighter.

Oh well, lots of questions, no easy answers, but just some observations of mine.

I look forward to comments from our friends in America on the scene there and from elsewhere in the world.


Best Regards,
Ian