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Informal Poll: Current generation of modelers, competent?
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Competence, like wisdom, comes with time and experience. A person is not a competent driver the day they get their drivers license nor are they competent in their job the day they are hired. However, given time and experience a person will become a competent driver and a comptent worker. <br /> <br />With time and experience <b><i>modelers</i></b> become more competent, gaining wisdom from their achievements and failures. <br />[quote]QUOTE: ...I am led to wonder whether the current generation of model railroaders is as competent in their modeling skills as the generation active in the '70s and '80s?[/quote]Yes, modelers with 20-30 years experience are wiser and more competent than the "current generation" with only a few months or years of experience. <br /> <br />As defined, <b><i>modeling</i></b> is to produce a representation or simulation of something and <b><i>competent</i></b> is having adequate ability or qualities. During the process of producing a representation of something, i.e. modeling, we develop our abilities becoming more competent. When I read posts on the various forums, what I see is the wisdom and competence gained from positive or negative experiences. <br /> <br />IMO using "out of the box" RTR rolling stock and pre-built structures & scenery is <b><i>not</i></b> modeling it is simply putting together a scale RR. Not everyone in this hobby is in it to become a competent modeler, rather they are in it for the operations aspect or to watch a train roll along tracks in a fantasy world. <br /> <br />Reading the posts I find that the majority of us buy RTR motive power as we don't have a machine shop to create the neccessary parts. However, <b><i>modelers</i></b> take the RTR loco and detail it so that it fits their era and road to as close to prototype as posible. <br /> <br />The learning experiences of our now novice, "current generation", modelers builds the foundation for the competent modelers of the future. Check back on this forum in 20+ years and you'll most likely find the teens and newbies that are here now will be the voices of competence and wisdom. <br /> <br />Although I have been modeling one thing or another for 40 years I find new methods and techniques every time I come to the forum. Bless those that share there wisdom and teach others to become competent. <br /> <br />
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