The swivel head lathe comment is only a small part of the whole equation, within the reasons the American woodturning community moves as a herd.
Those in the international community are more likely to see it.....simply because they don't have such a vast network of community that America does. Since I was such a secluded learner in my early days, this is why I have this particular vision that is absent from "herd think".
Those who aren't a part of the herd, in regard to this particular subject, are those who are most likely to see the forest, in spite of the trees!
This is not to say that "herd think" is a bad thing. There is plenty of learning that can be done within the perimeters it creates, but it does tend to limit the horizons that could have been.
-----odie-----