I'm seeing a relatively new professional trade experiencing some growing pains.
The second and third generations are learning from the pioneers. And in doing so, the pioneers are codifying their standards and practices and whatnot. Which, because times being what they are, involve certifications and professional organizations and of course, instructor fees.
And some in the second and third generations are balking.
"Who certified you?" they say. "What classes did you pay to go to?" "This was given to you."
Not. So. Much.
What the shiny pieces of paper and time spent truly means is guidance down a path to a goal. A goal you share. And an affiliated goal of guiding others down that path.
The pioneers had the goal, but the path did not exist.
They had a vague sense of direction and a dense and uncharted wilderness between them and that goal.
Then one of them picked up a machete and started swinging in what they thought was the right direction.
Then another. And another.
They spent years picking up machetes and blazing that trail.
They were given skepticism. They were given sneering. They were given scoffs. They were given derision.
Then somehow, people started noticing that not only was this goal feasible, there was a path to it.
The pioneers are looking at that path and thinking about all the hazards still on it. All the places to get hurt or lost along the way. Some of the more forward-thinking ones are wondering if there are easier paths to the goal out there.
Pretty much all of them realize that it's going to take lifetimes to find out.
Gods know there's validity in taking the claims of those who came before with a grain of salt.
And the value in understanding the why before setting yourself to learning how.
But it's a bit difficult to put the calluses gained from swinging a machete on one's resume.
There is value in realizing that they weren't given.
(I ain't saying what the trade is. Think what you will.)
The second and third generations are learning from the pioneers. And in doing so, the pioneers are codifying their standards and practices and whatnot. Which, because times being what they are, involve certifications and professional organizations and of course, instructor fees.
And some in the second and third generations are balking.
"Who certified you?" they say. "What classes did you pay to go to?" "This was given to you."
Not. So. Much.
What the shiny pieces of paper and time spent truly means is guidance down a path to a goal. A goal you share. And an affiliated goal of guiding others down that path.
The pioneers had the goal, but the path did not exist.
They had a vague sense of direction and a dense and uncharted wilderness between them and that goal.
Then one of them picked up a machete and started swinging in what they thought was the right direction.
Then another. And another.
They spent years picking up machetes and blazing that trail.
They were given skepticism. They were given sneering. They were given scoffs. They were given derision.
Then somehow, people started noticing that not only was this goal feasible, there was a path to it.
The pioneers are looking at that path and thinking about all the hazards still on it. All the places to get hurt or lost along the way. Some of the more forward-thinking ones are wondering if there are easier paths to the goal out there.
Pretty much all of them realize that it's going to take lifetimes to find out.
Gods know there's validity in taking the claims of those who came before with a grain of salt.
And the value in understanding the why before setting yourself to learning how.
But it's a bit difficult to put the calluses gained from swinging a machete on one's resume.
There is value in realizing that they weren't given.
(I ain't saying what the trade is. Think what you will.)
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