CLOSED: What is an S.O.B.?

bonsaikc

Beyond the obvious two well-known phrases that the acronym has been used for in this forum and among us, what does it mean to be a Student of Boon, and why do we take the title with such pride? Is it a feeling of elitism or superiority over the "bonsai bottom feeders," as some seem to feel? Is it sheer hubris and a hand gesture of thumb against the nose and a "nana nana boo boo?" Or is it something completely different?

Why don't you hear people calling themselves "S.O.K" (Kimura) or "S.O.M." (Murata) or "S.O.W" (Woods) or "S.O.M" (Madison)?

Becoming a student of Boon provides many of us with our first real exposure to the highest quality teaching by a true Master. Roving bands of bonsai demonstrators cannot provide the kind of systematic, broad-ranging, and comprehensive schooling we receive from Boon. The curriculum is stunning. Individual bonsai enthusiasts traveling around the country cannot provide convention-goers access to some of the best bonsai stock and prebonsai and show-ready bonsai in North America for the masses to actually work on, to actually wire, and needle-pluck, and candle, and defoliate, and repot, and moss. And Students of Boon learn that all these should not be done in the same two hour demo!

So we get a strong curriculum, following a specific syllabus, with the best information in the world, and we get to practice this on trees above our own level of experience, all under the watchful eye of Boon.

But that doesn't explain the fervent loyalty. It doesn't explain our tongue-in-cheek claiming of the title "S.O.B." Howard Smith hinted at it a bit in another S.O.B. thread:

Also, Boon does nothing to promote elitism. He is simply so damn good at what he does, his students get excited about bonsai, and as a SOB, I know I get excited talking to other's who have experienced the same. I also feel like a part of an extended family seeing the same faces over the years while working hard on nice bonsai.

Sylvia and I both feel such a warm level of mutual respect for every student of Boon; it is quite a refreshing experience, so unfortunately we need to find a more private forum to keep it positive.

Yes, Boon is fantastically good both at all things bonsai and at teaching bonsai. But it is far more than that. What is it about this tiny little man with the goofy grin that inspires such hero worship? If you ever spent any time with Boon, you would know. His is the most genuinely sweet spirit I have ever met, and I have been looking for many, many years. While he is firm with us and somewhat of a taskmaster, his obvious love for bonsai and anyone willing to sacrifice for it is just amazing. The support and uplifting spirit of the environment is evident even when a student is being corrected.

But it isn't a cult of personality, either. That sense of camaraderie infects everyone in Bay Island Bonsai and the Bonsai Boon Intensives. I have never felt more accepted by any group in my life! What a feeling of community! There is no politicking in the club or among the students, although we did receive an odd request from recent graduates to refer to them as "Your Royal Graduateness." In fact, it's just the opposite. The students, regardless of their level of achievement, regard each other as colleagues and friends. It sounds goofy, but the feeling of love and acceptance is just amazing.

I proudly call myself an S.O.B. not with an air of exclusivity. I wish every bonsai enthusiast could experience the same thing. There's just one worry, however. If every one of you wants to be in the Intensive, the price would probably be out of my reach. So I would be stuck in Remedial Wiring forever!

__________________
Chris Johnston
"She was a critic, and lots fo critics who aren't called to do what they write about grow jealous and mean and small in their disappointment." - Stephen King, Duma Key
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

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Will_Heath

An SOB is simply a Student of Bonsai, nothing more, nothing less.

A teachers qualifications are important but the student will not automatically become good because of the teacher. It directly correlates with the ability of the student, the attention given, the talent they have, and the intelligence to use what they have learned. Just because someone has taken a few classes with a master does not make them a master, in fact, there are some who could study a lifetime with a master and still never be able to produce the same quality of work.

If you want to impress people, don't drop your teachers name, instead show the results of studying with that teacher, then when people ask...do your teacher the honor of mentioning his/her name.


Will Heath
(Student of Bates)

RonMartin(deceased)

Chris.
It is nice to hear about a happy and motivated bonsai group. All to often the politics and false profits seep into the crowd. Lets hope that your group stays the way it is but grows a bit larger. The bonsai world could use a few more groups just like yours.

bonsaikc

Will, what ever gave you the false impression that I considered myself a master? It certainly couldn't be because of the quantity of my posts. Thirty years' experience does not make a master either, and I have seen many with one years' experience thirty times. I have always had my own work out there as an open book. I don't care to impress anyone, I just love my trees and the work I learning to do on them. So I document the process and if anyone gains anything from that, that's fantastic. There is a sore lack of illustrated how-to articles on the web. Nothing can replace learning from someone who is right there with you. But the illustrated articles are better than just reading text, and just text is better than nothing.

Why does this always have to become personal?

__________________
Chris Johnston
"She was a critic, and lots fo critics who aren't called to do what they write about grow jealous and mean and small in their disappointment." - Stephen King, Duma Key
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

Will_Heath

What gave you the impression that I had the impression that you considered yourself a master? I can't find one single spot where I said this, in fact, my post above was in reference to all students of any teachers....in short I said let your bonsai do the bragging about how good your teacher is and how good you were in assimilating the knowledge. Then when people notice the quality of your bonsai, tell them about your teacher, in this way you honor him.

I am not a teacher but I know I would hate someone who had taken just a few classes with me running around showing off poor bonsai and telling the world they were a student of mine.


Why are you taking this personally, there is no reason to, unless I hit upon a raw nerve or something?

Do you disagree with the statements I made above?



Will

bwaynef

I read Will's response and thought the same thing you said Chris. I then read it again trying to see that the one he spoke of might have been a bit more general than it seemed, being a direct reply to yours. I'm hopeful that was his intent.

WF

edit: it appears that my hope was not without merit.

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© 2004 - present bwaynef

Will_Heath

Notice that in Chris's post he talks of all students of Boon and does not limit his thoughts to himself only. Notice all the we's and us's in his post.

Ron seemed to have taken his words the same way as he responded about a "Group" Chris was talking about.


I responded in kind referring to even a broader range....all students of all teachers. I apologize if I was not clear enough.




Will

RonMartin(deceased)

Will_Heath

Ron,

Your exact words as posted were "It is nice to hear about a happy and motivated bonsai group." This can only be read one way.

Care to point out exactly the words I use that were "dressing him down" personally in any manner what so ever?

In response to your negative rep point on my post here where you said "You're just plain wrong"...could you elaborate on what exactly I was wrong about?


Thanks,


Will