The Craftsman versus the Industrial Complex

[DWFII]

I'm not at all certain that I can agree with the distinction. The term "amateur" has a negative connotation these days, while "professional" has a positive one. That is unfortunate. The word "amateur" derives from "ama" literally "love." It describes someone who pursues an art for the love of the art, rather than strictly for monetary gain. A "professional" on the other hand works, day in and day out to satisfy the market.

In that sense, the "professional" works to be good enough, while the amateur works to be as good as possible.

Now, I am certain, DWFII, that you are an "amateur" in the sense that you truly love your craft and work to see that each and every piece is as fine as you are capable of producing.

As you have pointed out , the current market is filled with "good enough" professionals. They succeed because for most people, most of the time, "good enough" is sufficient.

Thankfully, there are still people who work for the love of the art. Also thankfully, there are people who are sufficiently appreciative of their efforts to support those endeavors. You are a rarity in that your life's work coincides so well with your passion.

It is not be possible, in all cases, to earn a living in one's chosen form. As a case in point pipers who earn a living playing the pipes are vanishingly rare. But witness the massed bands at your local games and you'll see that there are many talented, dedicated amateurs. To deny that these folk are craftsmen is, in my opinion, a false distinction.

I didn't use the word "amateur". Since much of what you have said here is informed by that distinction, even though I might agree with every word,it is not really germane to what you seem to be responding to with your quote from my post.

All I am talking about in describing Craftsmen is intent and dedication. The responsibility that accrues to being a Craftsman, the mandate that you be answerable...not just to customers but to a higher standard--one set by Tradition, by what has gone before, by your own secret knowledge that you could have done better. All this flows from intent and dedication. And all of it can be found in amateurs and found to be gone missing in "professionals."

This, after all, is what I am/was deploring about factories and the choices they make.