Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm wondering how many AP'ers collect parts for their systems? John Pirsig wrote a book, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' in which he divides people into 2 types, Classics and Romantics. (the book is an on-the-road monologue, or as he calls it, Chautauqua, during which he espouses some pretty interesting views) Classics are those who enjoy the journey, who like to understand the nuts and bolts of how what they are using actually works. Romantics are more the destination types. the ones who don't really care what is inside the box, provided it works. When it doesn't they are much more inclined to get a new box than to open it and see what's up.

In my IT career, IMO most MAC users are Romantics and a fair percentage of PC users are Classics. (don't get me wrong, there are many PC users who are Romantics and there are some MAC users who are Classics and a lot of PC Classics have moved from Windows to Linux) You can pick a Classic because we will have extra bits for whatever machine he uses. There will be special tools for delving into it, or extra filters and pump parts etc.

Note I am NOT saying Classics are superior or that Romantics are - they are two ways of viewing the world. Most graphics types are Romantics because their focus is on the end result - Classics tend to get too involved with the nitty-gritty along the way so probably produce far less of the end result. Romantics will more likely be on time while the Classic gets held up checking this or diverting to see how that fits etc.

My impression is, most AP'ers are Classics - maybe it's the nature of the subject or perhaps only Classics have the need to fiddle so only they come onto sites like this. I think maybe Romantics would be those buying the complete kits and putting them on Gumtree when something goes wrong... but I don't know so I am curious.

So, I am wondering, how many of us AP'ers are Classicals? How many hoard or seek out parts so they can do repairs or improvements? And how many would rather pay x hundred dollars to bu a pre-fab system than buy the bits and do it themselves?

Can one choose to be a classic romantic, or a romantic classic?

By the way, the writer's name is Robert M. Pirsig, in the book he refers to himself often in the 3rd person as Phaedrus. The essential question in the book is "what is quality?". And that, is not an easy to answer question.

It's a golden oldie!

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I am definitely a classic. I have spares for almost everything i do. I often loose interest in things when i get them working properly.

I reckon I'm a classic classic

You're right I think, by default most people on the forum will be classics...

We get more of a mix in the shop, but for many the journey into aquaponics HAS to be "classical" because they can't really be a romantic and just go and buy a system.

They might enter your shop as romantics, and leave as classics?

Whoops, my bad... should have looked it up. Been 20 years roughly since I read it. Wonder where I got John...?

Certainly one can mix'n'match. Over the decades I have been sent on a lot of 'self-help' courses or similar for work. I notice they all begin by defining people into one of two camps and then proceed with the thesis. Bloody Aristotle has a lot to answer for - in neither Nature nor in Humans are there many instances of two-valued selections - even in Evolution the categories are OUR inventions rather than Nature's.

So you can be a destination person who can get involved in the journey or a journey person who can prioritise the destination. In fact I would think very few people are 100% one or the other.

Phaedrus was a fascinating character - every so often, even 2 decades later, I find myself wondering just how psychotic Pirsig was to be able to right such a distinctive persona...

Or broke...

I'm a classic for most things Aquaponic.
I love the growing more than the harvesting.
I love to build so I keep expanding.
But I'm a bit of a romantic in the sense that if it ain't broke don't fiddle with it (mostly ).

Im sort of half/half.
Way back when i had time to be in to computers (saying that makes me feel funny considering im about half the age of most people here) i was definitely a classic.
With AP im a classic.
with my car im certainly a romantic.
most things i am a classic if i can be bothered, otherwise i just sigh and turn romantic.

They kind of HAVE to be a classic anyway.
I setup a few barrel beds for my mums pond and things didnt start growing instantly - i didnt realise her pond had no nutes left since she didnt maintain it like i did when i lived there - and she doesnt really want to learn anything to get it working, so even if you dont build the system, you certainly have to know all the nuts and bolts of how it works.

I'm collecting parts...but only so I can expand.

When I was younger I was definitely a classic, I loved rebuilding motors, stripping cars to the shell and rebuilding but now I'd have to say I am more a romantic, I still love tinkering but I look forward to completion. That actually may just be that I'm also lazy.

Classic here, but I think there needs to be a touch of romance to get you through the tougher parts.