Heh,heh,heh.......Well Gerald, you definitely haven't heard the last of my thoughts on "the herd mentality"! From my point of view, its real. I am evolving somewhat by my recent interactions with other turners, but the basic fundamentals of group think remain the same. The group may very well help some turners, while it is a tremendously limiting factor for others. I do believe it would have limited my own progress.....and in some instances might have prevented my progress, simply because back then I would have trusted others to teach me, more so than I would have trusted in my own abilities to solve problems. It is a lot easier to seek advice, than it is to figure it out for yourself.
Back then, I was living a very secluded rural life. I knew of nobody who turned, even though I would have welcomed some mentor help. There were no local turning clubs, and the AAW didn't exist. I would have given my right xxx to visit the turning classes held in Utah.....I wanted to with a passion, but it just never happened for me. I loved turning right from the beginning.....and it was terribly frustrating to me in my quest for better results. Most people who were faced with "learn to do it by yourself" or give up, would have chosen the latter. The only things I had were a few books, a Shopsmith, and a burning desire.
My rejection of the "herd mentality" wasn't a thing I chose to do. It just wasn't an option for me......and now, some 33 years later, I have 20-20 vision in my rear view mirror......and, if I could go back to 1982, when I first picked up a shabby old lathe tool that came with my "garage sale" 1950's Shopsmith.......I'd do it all again exactly as I did the first time, with one exception:
This time, it would be a choice!
ko