- Joined
- Oct 17, 2010
- Messages
- 2,424
Well, that's because you're trying to deprogram blind reverence. I have *never* witnessed any serious (anybody can join or gain accreditation in the ABS, and there's nothing we can do about it, so there are some asshats that nobody likes) teaching JS, MS, judge or ABS board member, and I know a large majority of the active ones pretty well, ever make absolutist proclamations of the gospel, regarding how things *must* be done. In fact, most, bend over backwards, wasting tons of time, making disclaimers before they ever give their opinion, about how it's "not the only, or right way" to do something, it's just "their way", and most, are more than happy to tell you why they believe its the better option, compared to others. Mostly, it's the hangers-on, who hope to get in this or that maker's good graces, or the few really loud self-proclaimed experts trying to toot their own horn.
The ABS as an organization, catches all the grief for the actions/words of a vocal minority, that seem to have an innate desire to arbitrarily create dogma, probably based on their own subconscious need for things to be finite and to have the comfort of having those things "figured out". Usually, these people are even more critical about the rest of the organization, and the board in general, than non-members, because they're the type of person that seemingly thinks everything would be better, if people would just realize that "they're right", and everyone else is an idiot. However, there's nothing an open, inclusive organization that simply has no mechanism for exclusion, revoking status, or membership (other than someone willingly not paying their yearly dues), can do about it, other than encourage a certain culture. You literally could be the biggest, worst piece of shit in human history, and we couldn't turn you away if you wanted to join, or fail you for JS if you met the criteria.
There is definitely a baseline of accepted basic technique, and there is an objective criteria for testing. In no way is it purported to be the only, or even ultimate way to do things, it's simply necessary, for effective propagation of the art, and for fairness and objectivity in terms of the accreditation process.
Yeah, there are plenty of members that go around repeating, and regurgitating things they were shown, by whomever taught them, and whom they probably worship like a god. You've certain got that with certain figures, within the ABS community, such as the people that worship Bill Moran, however, you've got just as many on the opposite end of the spectrum that treat Don Fogg with the same reverence, or even more contemporary makers, and go around evangelizing one's techniques and style, while disparaging the other.
Is that really any different in the rest of the community? (Rhetorical, the answer is unequivocally; no.) Or the greater society as a whole, and every other sub-culture?
Anyway, I know you didn't specifically blame the ABS, but I'm making a point here, because I think many do, and attribute things they dislike; witness from the outside in, as an fundamental, and intentional (on the part of the board) organizational design, when it's not remotely. There was a time where there was too much power consolidated in the organization by inflexible, change opposed, totalitarian personalities, and the ABS came very close to fading (and literally going bankrupt) out of existence. A number of incredibly hard working, unpaid, un-appreciated members, have fought tooth and nail (and with their own finances) to keep it alive, and rebuild the inclusive, progressive (in terms of the art, not as a hijacked political term), and open culture, and they deserve some credit.
Are the some overarching style and technique trends that dominate the work of the group? Sure, but not by edict, much by either the work of our top members, and a fundamental respect for the tradition of the bladesmithing specific section of the craft. It is unfortunately deferential with many members, but the ABS' charter is to educate on the art of the forged blade, not to force people to a more philosophical viewpoint where they ask themselves "why?" they do something, although many of us, still work very hard, to try and encourage that, as much as possible.
Tongue in cheek or not, what you said isn't wrong either, I just wanted to comment on the why, for those that may not have the insight we do.
