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RE: Where's George



For those of you who aren't old as dirt, George was a
(The?) prophet of the 2nd Epoch of Aquaria Groups. The
History-According-to-Dan goes something like this:

1st Epoch:   The Age of Experimentation
Key Prophet: Richard Sexton, The Creator

2nd Epoch:   The Age of Technology
Key Prophet: George Booth, High Priest of Dupla

- - ----THE GREAT DISPERSAL----

3rd Epoch:   The Age of Balance
Key Prophet: Thomas Barr, Plant Intercessor & Compatriot>

I found looking at how this list evolved from reading the archives somewhat interesting. It is interesting to see how in the early days the topics of discussion from todays most experienced people focused on very simple things, (with great ernest and debate) that we now take very much for granted. From there it went to a much deeper scientific level. There are a few notable things you left out.

Paul Sears and Kevin Conlins paper which started the whole
PMDD way of thinking which Tom Barr later turned upside
down.

Jim Kelly's Poormans substrate, which has been kicking
around the internet for what seems like forever and is all
but forgotten.

Steve Pushaks detailed work on substrates and soils which
was the dominate focus of discussion for quite sometime,
particularly while he was the technical advisor for AGA,
which has now faded into the background. The last serious
look at substrates was Jamie Johnsons study. And I guess
Waldstads book, but it never really was a major ongoing
topic of discussion here.

Dan Quackenbushes crusade for the kitty litter substrate
which passed away when he did. His WEB site has now been
taken over by a plant retailer in South Dakota.

You can also see the evolution of the opposing forces
within this forum. Practicality vs technical methodology,
scientific vs art, simplicity vs complexity.

And while there are people that long for the good old days
and wonder where are these people now, this forum has
endured. The number of posted messages over the years has
either increased or stayed the same, but never really
dropped off. Compare this to other lists such as Richard
Sextons lists and other forums on the internet and it's
pretty amazing. The general following for this hobby on
the internet has grown tremendously. I can remember when
there were only a few credible WEB sites providing
information on this hobby and a handfull of hobbyists WEB
sites, and only 3 or 4 plant dealers. Now there are
perhaps dozens of beautifull and informative WEB sites and
forums, hundreds of hobbyists WEB sites, and a couple
dozen plant sellers with more popping up all the time. We
are even managing to fight off once and for all the
biggest threat this list has ever had. Evolution is a
wonderful thing.

Robert Paul Hudson
www.aquabotanic.com
Join the almost 800 members of the AB forums

Sending 'who aquatic-plants' to Majordomo at actwin_com reveals the APD now has 1644 subscribers. How does this compare with history, and how many of those are still active?
--
Andrew McLeod
thefish at theabyssalplain_freeserve.co.uk