Also, one of the foibles seen too often on GCA.com is when someone stereotypes that a groupthink mentality exists.
I honestly believe that when someone's potential principle calls the website "that crazy website" is either taking someone elses word for it, or, is just plain afraid of the intellectual arguments behind what translates to quality work.
Life has taught me it is the little things that need to be done correctly inorder to make the big picture work. If a designer poo poo's the slightest element, I think that's a mistake, and usually becmes evident to an aware observer.
The reason I did ask that question of you back on the "lemming thread" is partly because I seem to recall you mentioning that you have incorporated aspects you learned from participating here. Also, some of your recent work, in Minnisota, in picture at least, seem to show influences not seen on some of your earlier works. I may be wrong but hopefully a road trip in the not too distant future will allow me to see for myself.
Adam,
Point 1 - I am guilty of occaisionally stereotyping this sites prevailing attitude into group think, rather than thinking of you as 1499 other unique individuals! Generally, human nature being what it is, stereotyping is just so damn much easier! As you suggest, my previous post was basically, saying that it felt like Tommy was trying to browbeat us into his mentality, using Lemmings and other provocative phrases. (And I know that was Forrest's phrase originally)
Point 2 - Most in the industry call this "that crazy website." At the recent ASGCA and GCSAA shows, I was surprised at how many people started conversations with me using that EXACT same phrase.
Generally, human nature being what it is, more posts are negative than praising here.
Generally, human nature being what it is, what we in the idnustry see (and this includes gca's, supers, and golf writers I know) is the un-ending critiques, often founded on some presumption of details that the hobbyist cant' possibly know and probably doesn't care about. We are left reading the critiques only.
Pont No. 3 - I am one of the few who might admit that this site has been a positive influence on me, and I should have gone back to my own benefits of participation thread to post this.
First, by writing things down, it clarifies in my mind as to exactly what I do think. That helps my designs because, human nature being what it is, there is a tendency to repeat things (just as we always brush our teeth in the morning before flossing) that we repeat out of habit, because its easier.
Second, it has shown - by posts of pictures of other courses old and new - that there really is more than one way to do things and that we are all creatures of habit, human nature being what it is.
That said, the look of the Quarry, for instance is site driven mostly, then influenced by playing in Ireland and at Tobacco Road just before design began. Somehow, those two experiences combined with a client who did want a tougher and unique course, jelled in my mind at just the right time to create an interesting design frame of mind. That people were looking for something different was an idea that I got from gca.com, or at least an idea that was reinforced by this site.
Third, for me the fun of the discussion far outweighs the occaisonal pissing match over ASGCA, catch basins, my silly percentage discussions, etc. I enjoy the discussions and it keeps my mind fresh.
So, generally, discussion group nature being what it is, this web site is what it is. If I can deal with it, I do, if not, I stay away!
Make it a great day.