Glen -
I always ask them why they feel the need to take a class? Just jump in
and start doing it. Why not just buy a guitar and start banging on it?
Why do you feel the need to "take a class"? They always answer with
weird (to me) justificationism and excuses. "I'm not disciplined
enough." "I wouldn't know where to start." Etc.
I don't have the energy. But my speculation is that there's a high
correlation between the people who feel they need to "take a class" and
the people who respond well to people in white jackets with name tags.
I share your speculation about this correlation and could probably
broaden it. I also suspect we can get Doug (and others) to dogpile on
to this with us.
Of course, having lots of people who agree with me is not exactly
evidence of any kind of objective accuracy. Anecdotally, it looks to
me as if there is a negative correlation between "popularity" and
"reality".
While we are "tribe" animals technically, our time evolving (at least
socially) amongst pack animals (wolves cum dogs) and herd animals
(migrating with the caribou, bison, etc.) we adopted some pretty strong
habits and assumptions about "the wisdom of crowds". I think there *is*
something to this, but it also seems to be thoughtlessly overused.
There is also a variant called "we should write a grant for that!". I
have written (and received grants) but I also know that the best stuff
often gets done on my own time/nickel/motivation.
Having someone else pay me to pursue my curiosity or convictions is a
very convenient thing, but if I restricted myself to only doing things
that I could "buy a book", "take a class", or "get a grant" for, my life
would be significantly impoverished.
Nevertheless, I still collect books, occasionally take classes and seek
funding for my pet projects.
- Steve
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