bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Thomas Pakenham

Here's the letter I mailed a little while ago. I hope he gets to read it:
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Dear Mr. Parkenham,

I am writing to you to express my disappointment and concern at your unfortunate and baseless observations when expressing your disdain for bonsai in the New York Times interview, 11/12/02.

You were quoted as saying:

“They give me the creeps. I never would want to be involved with
a bonsai. Because they cut all the living material of the root
except the youngest growth, in order to confine it to the prison of
its pot. It's like binding Chinese women's feet. Natural bonsai can be quite moving. Sometimes you see them growing out of rocks on mountains and surviving in terribly hostile environments, and that is moving.”

I’m afraid that in your statement, you displayed a significant ignorance of both man and nature and your characterization of bonsai was utterly specious. You are a respected writer and your words, therefore, carry weight that demands that you not harm others or harm ideas through the willful spouting of misinformation based on nothing more than your ignorance. You have lost at least one fan and probably more by this unfortunate and thoughtless action.

The great attention given them by enthusiasts ensures that bonsai are more cared for and generally far healthier than are most trees in nature. If you understood the specific requirements of trees grown in containers and the science of doing so to the trees’ best advantage, you might begin to appreciate just how ridiculous your observations were. It is my great hope that in the future you may decide to remedy your ignorance rather than merely displaying it for the world to see. There are many excellent resources for information specific to bonsai and I will be both happy and eager to assist you in finding them should you care to ask for help.

While I apologize for the underlying tone of contempt in my letter, I believe that it is important for you to have insight into what is likely a widespread sentiment in response to your baseless observations. I hope that you get to read my letter, as indeed you need to. I hope to soon learn of your interest in seeking information on bonsai and wish you good health.

Sincerely,
Andy Rutledge
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12-Nov-2002	#12
K.A. Rutledge Guest Posts: n/a	Here's the letter I mailed a little while ago. I hope he gets to read it: --------------------------------- Dear Mr. Parkenham, I am writing to you to express my disappointment and concern at your unfortunate and baseless observations when expressing your disdain for bonsai in the New York Times interview, 11/12/02. You were quoted as saying: “They give me the creeps. I never would want to be involved with a bonsai. Because they cut all the living material of the root except the youngest growth, in order to confine it to the prison of its pot. It's like binding Chinese women's feet. Natural bonsai can be quite moving. Sometimes you see them growing out of rocks on mountains and surviving in terribly hostile environments, and that is moving.” I’m afraid that in your statement, you displayed a significant ignorance of both man and nature and your characterization of bonsai was utterly specious. You are a respected writer and your words, therefore, carry weight that demands that you not harm others or harm ideas through the willful spouting of misinformation based on nothing more than your ignorance. You have lost at least one fan and probably more by this unfortunate and thoughtless action. The great attention given them by enthusiasts ensures that bonsai are more cared for and generally far healthier than are most trees in nature. If you understood the specific requirements of trees grown in containers and the science of doing so to the trees’ best advantage, you might begin to appreciate just how ridiculous your observations were. It is my great hope that in the future you may decide to remedy your ignorance rather than merely displaying it for the world to see. There are many excellent resources for information specific to bonsai and I will be both happy and eager to assist you in finding them should you care to ask for help. While I apologize for the underlying tone of contempt in my letter, I believe that it is important for you to have insight into what is likely a widespread sentiment in response to your baseless observations. I hope that you get to read my letter, as indeed you need to. I hope to soon learn of your interest in seeking information on bonsai and wish you good health. Sincerely, Andy Rutledge ------------------------