An observation about divers

[MXGratefulDiver]

Just to extend my analogy a bit further, does that sound familiar to any DIR-debate veterans?

Only on the part of those who have never been exposed to what a DIR class is really like. My experience with DIR training was that the instructors encouraged questioning the system, and particularly encouraged questions that began with the word "Why" ... they really don't want people to just blindly accept the system without understanding the logic behind it.

There is a rational reason behind every component of the system ... whether you accept it as a valid reason or not is really your choice, but there is a great deal of emphasis in the training on making sure you understand why it is what it is ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[randytay]

It is interesting though, that so many Asian parents send their children to North America for their education.

'Cos they have a better chance of topping the class since majority of their classmates' parents just want them to have a "childhood"? j/k

 

[Lobzilla]

Only on the part of those who have never been exposed to what a DIR class is really like. My experience with DIR training was that the instructors encouraged questioning the system, and particularly encouraged questions that began with the word "Why" ... they really don't want people to just blindly accept the system without understanding the logic behind it.

There is a rational reason behind every component of the system ... whether you accept it as a valid reason or not is really your choice, but there is a great deal of emphasis in the training on making sure you understand why it is what it is ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

In fact, the first GUE instructor I met, Ed Hayes, asked the attendents of a workshop how we do certain things and asked us to explain what for example controls buoyancy. He then provided his (organization's) take on selected topics and not only provided an explanation of why things are done a certain way but also provided proof in the water. There is not much you can and should argue about things that work and make sense.

When I had mentioned that I was going to this workshop I got exactly the same response and attitude at my LDS as the OP described. 'Gear Nazis' was the most colorful prejudice.

Similar to the OP, the reality was that I met a group of extremely competent and welcoming divers - and I arrived in a jacket BC. I was not ridiculed or burned on the pyre because of that; just reminded that the afternoon DPV tryouts would require a crotch strap and therefore borrowing of a BP/W. Boy, was that a tough sell

I arrived and dove in a wetsuit with a HP100 steel tank. Again, no eye rolling or ridicule just a friendly and detailed explanation of what the potential pitfalls of this combination are.

(I post this not because I am holding my breath that the DIR bashers on SB will ever see the light. Never, ever hold your breath anyway. But, for the benefit of new SB members, we still can and should hold facts against negative, unsubstantiated propaganda.)

 

[DaleC]

Just to extend my analogy a bit further, does that sound familiar to any DIR-debate veterans?

I don't know about "debate" veterans but the DIR instructors and pioneering members I've spoken with have always been pretty obliging.

'Cos they have a better chance of topping the class since majority of their classmates' parents just want them to have a "childhood"? j/k

I know it's a joke but the parents and students don't really care about topping the North American class. They are concerned about capturing one of the few high paying jobs back home.
There's something to be said for having a childhood. A lot of Asian cultures really lack the innovative, imaginative inventiveness of the west. They depend heavily on replicating our ideas (and refining them). I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm down on the east though. There are many attributes of their culture I admire.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

I have neither. If I have the solution, i wouldn't be looking for ways to upgrade myself. And I didn't mean that in a certification level sense.

Well it was not clear what you hoped to get out of the class, and you confirmed that you do not really know. I’ve often wondered what people think they are going to get out of it. Personally I believe you will be exposed to some useful things, like the back kick, which you might not find in a mainstream class. But I fall short of the manic rapture of some of the others.

 

[TSandM]

Mr. Cacharodon, I'm just curious . . . have you taken Fundies, or Essentials?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I know it's a joke but the parents and students don't really care about topping the North American class. They are concerned about capturing one of the few high paying jobs back home.
There's something to be said for having a childhood. A lot of Asian cultures really lack the innovative, imaginative inventiveness of the west. They depend heavily on replicating our ideas (and refining them). I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm down on the east though. There are many attributes of their culture I admire.

Childhood means something different in different cultures, yanno. I remember the first time I ever went to Taiwan ... my friend's youngest son was eight years old at the time. He only spoke a few words of English ... and me a few words of Taiwanese (a dialect similar to Fuchan) ... but Cheng told me he liked chess, and I'd brought him a nice chess set. We played a couple games ... he kicked my ass. I offered a third game, but he said something I didn't understand. Cheng translated it for me ... something to the effect of "for a big guy he's not very good". Kid had a real droll sense of humor, and a relationship with his mom I could only envy. I don't think that kid missed out on a childhood at all ... his idea of fun was just different than the typical US kid.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[seaducer]

There is ALWAYS an answer as to why something has been chosen the way it has -- sometimes the answer is that there are several ways to do something, and to minimize variation, ONE had to be picked. But there's no brainwashing, and questions are encouraged.

Only on the part of those who have never been exposed to what a DIR class is really like. My experience with DIR training was that the instructors encouraged questioning the system, and particularly encouraged questions that began with the word "Why" ... they really don't want people to just blindly accept the system without understanding the logic behind it.

My experience with any sort of training, the only instructors that actively discourage questions are people who lack a working knowledge of the subject material. The old those who can't...teach. The who can encourage questions for many reasons. To produce more well rounded students, an opportunity to more thoroughly examine the material, which can help the instructor to learn even as he or she teaches others. There are other reasons as well, perhaps a particularly good question can result in changing standards

Even in Ft. Benning questions about how and why certain things were done were encouraged, only whining and arguing were punished.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Mr. Cacharodon, I'm just curious . . . have you taken Fundies, or Essentials?

Yes. .

 

[Kingpatzer]

Somewhere along the line, we lost the notion that in order to succeed in this world you have to be better than those you're competing against.

And for those that forgot that all of life need not be a competition to see if you're better than others, there's DIR.