[TheForge] A question

[Andy Vida]

schade at acegroup.cc wrote:
> 
> Correction to that. Anyone can be a member.
> Board members must be blacksmiths.
> 
> My opinion.

	That may cause more problems than it solves.

	How is "blacksmith" defined?  Can a fabfricator be one,
	or is it just those who employ "traditional" methods?
	How does one define "traditional", and is the use of
	any non-traditional methods cause for disqualification?
	If not, what percentage of "non-traditional" is OK and
	of what sorts?

	I know this all sounds very silly, but these are the
	sorts of questions that naturally arise when someone
	is excluded based upon some standard: that standard
	comes under scrutiny so that it is clearly understood.
	Upon peeling the onion, we find many difficulties along
	the way and right off the bat the question of whether
	this standard is sound arises most prominently.  It
	may well be worth it... or perhaps not.  I'm not smart
	enough to know these things.