Re: PRO vs. AM was Re: Defining "pro"

["Tony K" <bigtony@softhome.net>]

> Tony wrote:
> "Someone once told me...
>
> "A professional does for money what an amateur does for the love of it."
>
>
> This falls into the same category as the wisdom that says
>
> "Those who can't do, teach"
>
> It is ignorant and mean spirited.


I never took it to be in a mean spirited way.  I just took it as being 
paid 
for doing what you do.  Not an "either or" thing. Getting paid certainly 
doesn't make one less of an artist.  Artistic merit has zippo to do with 
payment.  I'm sure we've all gotten things for 'free' that were high 
quality, and paid for crap. Right?

Everybody is different (thank god!) My grandfather was a 
potter/mosaicist/painter and supported his family for decades with his 
art. 
Mom, on the other hand, is a great painter, but doesn't want to try to 
make 
a living at it. She's got her eye on it as a retirement thing when her 
livelyhood doesn't depend on it.  I love to play music and have made only 
$50 as a musician in 27 years of playing, so I'm a total amateur.  Could I 
go 'pro' and get paid?  maybe.  Do I want to?  Nope.  I also know guys who 
made a living as a musician and quit because they didn't like a lot of the 
associated crap that goes with it.  But, any field is like that.

Anyway, all I saw in that 'definition' is that a pro gets paid, an amateur 
doesn't.  It has nothing to do with quality, or merit, or art, or anything 
except money.  And, jeez, what's wrong with getting paid for doing what 
you 
love?  I like being a programmer and I really like getting paid for it.  I 
always thought it was pretty cool (and surprising) to get paid for doing 
something I liked anyway.  That probably came from listening to my dad 
constantly bitch about hating his job.  Would I program if I didn't get 
paid?  Certainly.  But I wouldn't be writing the programs that I do.  
Would 
they be of a lesser quality?  I would hope not! :)

As far as 'pro' equipment goes.  it's all in the marketing.  I dont' 
recall 
anybody labling a Neve as "PRO" gear. :)  But I've got a Behringer "Pro" 
gear that doesn't even live in the same galaxy as a Neve.

just my two cents and sorry if the quote offended anybody,

Tony