Tom Barr in Portugal

[Tom Barr]

I will be speaking in Lisbon, Portugal Sept 20th, 2008 and doing a demo for the 5th Anniversity of Aquariofilia.net

Hope to see you there!


Tom Barr

[jazzlvr123]

how was Portugal tom? I'm sure the planted hobby is really happening there. hope you had a good trip.

[Tom Barr]

Well, one of their members placed in the top 10 for the ADA contest.
They did not have high opinions of Amano however.

This is what they said:

More a sales trip, not much else, brought a pallet of product along with him would not answer any of their direct questions.

Sounds very familiar

Regards,
Tom Barr

[VaughnH]

Is Amano's problem with questions that he is an artist and not well versed in the nitty gritty chemical/biological part of the hobby? At least that is how he comes across to me from what I read about him and from looking at his works.

[jazzlvr123]

Is Amano's problem with questions that he is an artist and not well versed in the nitty gritty chemical/biological part of the hobby? At least that is how he comes across to me from what I read about him and from looking at his works.

John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, and Wayne Shorter were some of the best jazz musicians in the world. but they don't know or talk about/ analyze what they play they just hear it and execute. Wes Montgomery diddn't even know his major scales, or how to read music, or any of the basics, yet he is one of the most influential jazz guitarists in history.

I think the same can be said about great aqua-scapers they see what they want and execute just because they don't know the science of whats going on in the tank like tom does doesn't mean they cant scape. however when you can talk the talk and walk the walk like Tom your opinion becomes a lot more educated thus more respected and valuable.

[Tom Barr]

Is Amano's problem with questions that he is an artist and not well versed in the nitty gritty chemical/biological part of the hobby? At least that is how he comes across to me from what I read about him and from looking at his works.

I found it interesting after 4 events that the different folks and clubs had the same things to say about Amano. Nice guy etc, good sense of humor, but it's mostly a sales trip, look at my pretty pictures.
I'm not sure you learn a lot. You speak to the club, you help them achieve their goals, not yours.

I come as an educator however, not a business salesman. So what do you expect?

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Tom Barr]

John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, and Wayne Shorter were some of the best jazz musicians in the world. but they don't know or talk about/ analyze what they play they just hear it and execute. Wes Montgomery diddn't even know his major scales, or how to read music, or any of the basics, yet he is one of the most influential jazz guitarists in history.

I think the same can be said about great aqua-scapers they see what they want and execute just because they don't know the science of whats going on in the tank like tom does doesn't mean they cant scape. however when you can talk the talk and walk the walk like Tom your opinion becomes a lot more educated thus more respected and valuable.

Good analogy, however, my goal and Amano's are different.

Actually, all hobbyist have different goals.
If Muddy Waters wanted to impose his style on everyone, would we have had Stanly Jordan or Jimi Hendrix?

Suppose Kenny G wanted every one to do his style?
And folks listen(they do actually, he sells lots of CD's)........

Amano is in business and the trips/talks are pretty much sales trips.
SeaChem, Kent, virtually all businesses are doing this.

These guys might like the hobby and all, but they are not specifically educators, that is only a part of the goal. I'm not selling a darn thing. Well, actually I do, articles here and maybe some trace mixes here shortly. But not a huge thing like any of the above. Small fries.

Still, business, practical matters and science can and do work together.
Not everyone is going to do the same method and the same field nor even has the time to run a business + do research. It's too much work.

You cannot fault Amano. He is there to sell ADA. Greg from SeaChem is there to promote and sell SeaChem. For clubs, this is big draw.

Amano is without a doubt a better scaper than I will, be, but I doubt he's going to pass a qualifying PhD exam either.............so we each have our strong points.

Still, it's not his goal to do as such, nor mine to become the best scaper and photographer, I'd like to be better, but I judge myself on my own terms and goals, not those defined by others.

As long as he, I or anyone can do what we like, does not matter.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[tedr108]

Analogy (as with most analogies, it has its weaknesses, but hopefully you'll get my point):

Let’s say you have an illness and you need to go to someone for help…

Interaction with healer A:

A: Your problem can be fixed by drinking the special elixir here – only $50 a bottle.
You: What is wrong with me?
A: It doesn’t really matter. The magic elixir will cure it.

Maybe the elixir cures you, maybe it doesn’t. Either way, what have you learned? Not much. How are you going to prevent your problem from coming back? You are dependent on some special elixir – this does not strengthen you. If your problem comes back, you have to go back to A to get more elixir.

Interaction with healer B:

B: Your problem is most likely caused by this, this or this. (B goes on to tell you what you can do to cure this problem and to avoid it in the future. He doesn’t even sell you anything, just guides you to the nearest cheap supplier of whatever supplements you need. Nothing magic, no secrets … simple down-to-earth instructions.)
You: Thank you, I understand now.

After your interaction with healer B, you have knowledge to deal with your problem – it strengthens you. If your problem comes back, you can deal with it yourself.

So, which one is Tom and which one is the others?

[Tom Barr]

Well, I think each brings something to the table. Many assume that scaping = means they know everything............they must etc...................

While there are many great gardener's there are many that simply know little about plants and how to set up a test or rule things out etc etc.

Likewise, plenty of folks that know science and plants, but cannot grow plastic plants...........

Still, hobbyist assume that a nice looking tank automatically means that this person knows every detail and why their system is working.

ADA is not just Amano either. He has other folks working for him............and has done his own share of trials..........he's not as ignorant as he might come across.
He also spends a lot of time setting up tanks, taking photo's, trimming and basic gardening. If you add enough CO2 and have a good handle on the visual cues, the test kits really matter little.

Something both Amano and myself tend to agree on but from different paths.

Many folks do not care, a photo sells them. They also do not want to know why, just what to do, what to buy to make it happen. Cookie cutter stuff.
You cannot buy experience and the hard work.
But you can sell the preception..............

[jazzlvr123]

Many folks do not care, a photo sells them. They also do not want to know why, just what to do, what to buy to make it happen. Cookie cutter stuff.
You cannot buy experience and the hard work.
But you can sell the preception..............

very well said, you need to write a book