Carl_Bergstrom

For the most part, Paul, I agree with you, but I want to take issue with this claim.



This is similar to the "if you like it, who cares what other people say?" argument.

I can't claim to speak for everyone here, but for me, doing bonsai is not something I do in isolation from the world. Bonsai (and just about any other hobby I have) is a fundamentally social endeavor, in that I take some of my pleasure from bonsai in the interactions with others - in learning or teaching or discussing, in being amazed by what others have created and perhaps some day in amazing others with what I have fashioned, in simply sharing in a joint pursuit with jointly defined and at least partially agreed-upon goals. I think that enjoying our pursuits in a social context is plain and simple part of being human.

And I admit that I take great pleasure in fashioning a tree that my fellow club members admire...not necessarily because I'm a competitive SOB at heart...partly just because I like seeing their eyes light up when they see a tree that they like.

But really, my point is that doing bonsai is a social activity for most of us (after all, look at our posting habits on this board!). And once anything becomes a social activity, it does matter how others view your work....even if you're not being competitive or participating just to impress others or "win" at the game. Part of what it means for something to be performed in a social context is that you attend to others' opinions, perspectives, and reactions.

All the best,
Carl

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In love with trees