Ahhh so we now see the truth in things. . . you hate authority and the rigidness of discipline that comes with it. You don't like being limited and having to focus on one single path even though that is the proven course of success.
In order to achieve anything one must have a foundation from which to grow. . . seeds must be planted and nurtured before knowing fruition. In your theory many more weeds will grow than attractive flowers or plants that nourish us and appeal to our imagination.
Sure, one in 30 might grow up through the cracks in the concrete that shines brightly because they are unique and have a unique way of seeing life but even those that have accomplished such started from a seed and gains roots -- a foundation that would allow them to stand and blossom. The course you're suggesting isn't just primitive and yet evolved, it is haphazard and risky; irresponsible when it comes to the laws of creation and trust me, there are parameters that must be adhered to even in the midst of chaos.
If you feed us nothing but a challenge and no knowledge or basis from which to build you are assigning an impossible task; you can't get something from nothing. There must be something in a vessel that pertains to the challenge, if we are to create and make things happen. For much of the past 1,500 or so years that's involved the product of the Printing Press and before that, it was access to scrolls and schools of higher learning (which can be traced back to before the rise of Babylon itself). Even during these times Oratory has been a key -- teaching the student by repetition so as to plant their feet firmly in a course of discipline vs. the arrogance of self-will going rampant.
Sorry, but your theory cannot hold water for there is not container -- no structure around which to capture it.
Mr. browning, I believe you are missing my point entirely. I am not advocating the wild path, I am not claiming its virtue or its success. I am simply stating it is in the realm of possibility for it to succeed, and to ignore that benefits no one. What I did advocate was taking your own path (which is inclusive of all paths, both good and bad), because I KNOW that a man learns better from his own mistakes than from the mistakes of others. This does not negate the value of suggestion, or the value of trying to help guide someone. But it does mean that there will never be a path that is truly better than any other with the end result being skill, there are only paths that are easier. Learning the foundations, taking the steps, is undoubtedly the smarter, safer, less time wasting, and more productive choice. But that fact does not negate the potential of other paths.
And yes, I will not even attempt to deny that I defy authority. I try my very best to take nothing for granted, and to consider each thing that comes my way on my own terms. I have no faith in blind faith.
And Mr. Browning I feel I should note, that on my own journey I have very much focused on what has been considered the successful path. Because after my own consideration, I came to the conclusion that it is absolutely, 100% the smarter choice. I spent my first three years in magic doing almost nothing but asking for books and sources, finding them, buying them, and studying. I continue to do so, although I have slowed down significantly, as I instead spend more time out performing, and scripting. I do not disagree with what you, or anyone else on this thread, says. I disagree with how you say it. Because even though this way is smarter, it does not mean that other paths are without merit. And speaking in such absolutes.. rules out the other options.
