An article with the ring of truth: Simplicity by Ken Rockwell

[Jay Decker]

Regardless of whether you think Ken Rockwell is a quack or a sage, his article on Simplicity is worth reading and reflective consideration. I had to read the section entitled Too Much Equipment a few times - it was difficult for me to hear on the first reading, because it had the ring of truth and I am culpable.

Does this mean that I'm going to reduce my equipment inventory? Yes, with time. More importantly, henceforth I intend to go shoot more frequently with less equipment, e.g., one camera and one lens, but more film holders.

Hi, my name is Jay and I have too much photography equipment.

Here's the full URL to Ken Rockwell's Simplicity article: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/simplicity.htm

[Heroique]

(Here we go.)

Now, now, let’s be nice this time – it’s a worthwhile, mildly provocative read.

And if you have to, pretend it’s not Ken. Would that influence your reaction?

[Jay Decker]

And if you have to, pretend it’s not Ken. Would that influence your reaction?

Was I not clear? I do agree with the thesis in Ken's article.

[Heroique]

My apologies, I didn't mean you. You were very clear. I meant all future readers.

Many will burst into this thread w/ unrelated prejudices about Ken.

I was suggesting one lay them aside before reading this article & feeling the visceral reaction.

One might even take a few deep breaths, or wait a few minutes, before sharing over-heated replies.

[Marko]

Mr. Rockwell does not seem to be much of anything, not even a semi-decent troll. Calling him a techie is a huge and unwarranted praise to him and even bigger insult to the techies.

I followed Heroique's reasonable suggestion and read the article with an open mind.

But there is simply no mistaking Ken with anybody else - it was 10 tedious minutes of a lifetime wasted with no chance to get it back. This is something I won't be baited to do again.

Simple as that.

[sanking]

But there is simply no mistaking Ken with anybody else - it was 10 tedious minutes of a lifetime wasted with no chance to get it back. This is something I won't be baited to do again.

Simple as that.

Gee, I did not find the article all that bad!!

However, one thing for sure is that Ken Rockwell never taught at a public university in the United Stated in the past 20 years. If he had made those comments about men thinking more deeply than women in any context in a university environment his female colleagues would have had his "huevos" marinated for afternoon tapas.

Sandy King

[Marko]

Gee, I did not find the article all that bad!!

However, one thing for sure is that Ken Rockwell never taught at a public university in the United Stated in the past 20 years. If he had made those comments about men thinking more deeply than women in any context in a university environment his female colleagues would have had his "huevos" marinated for afternoon tapas.

Sandy King

I didn't say it was bad, I just said it was a waste of time...

But you do know how to make a diversion, though! The funny thing is, just today, driving home, I noticed a small wine & tapas place that I never saw before and was planning to get the family together to go over and test it out over the weekend.

[Dan Fromm]

Jay, you might want to read this: http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ic-bullet.html

[benrains]

Jay, you might want to read this: http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ic-bullet.html

I like this article better.

I couldn't get more than about halfway through Ken Rockwell's before I got disgusted with his extraneous and irrelevant sexist and racist commentary. He's a tool.

[Eric Biggerstaff]

I read this and other than the comments that really are, as Ben pointed out, sexist and racist there is not much new or interesting. This idea has been around forever.