Why buy slate and shell?

[lemmata]

Because of that egg-yolk video, a few years ago I specifically asked Mr. Kuroki about using eggs for cleaning the shell stones. His reply, "Please don't."

Thank you for that information. The thought of someone cleaning something/anything with eggs somewhere grosses me out for whatever reason. I hope you can spread Mr. Kuroki's wisdom far and wide.

[Dante31]

If I enjoy eating clams and I find that I could use their shells in a profitable venture rather than just throwing them away and taking up more space at the local landfill which is filling up fast, I don't really have a problem with the death of those individual clams.

If I were outdoors and there were many mosquitoes flying around trying to bite me, I have no problems with the death of those individuals either. I'd dare say I'd want them splatted as quickly as possible

If you were sick with bacteria, would you have problems with the death of those individual living organisms who die to ensure your well being?

Well, clams are not pests unlike mosquitoes, and bacteria that makes you sick. Clams have already been so over fished in Japan that these days the clams to make stones for Go usually come from Mexico.

[tchan001]

You are now classifying living organisms by their worth rather than talking about the ethics of killing individual living organisms regardless of their worth.

[Splatted]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9937 for continued off-topic discussion.

[badukJr]

Some people play Go, others collect Go equipment. That's about it.

[Bonobo]

Some people play Go, others collect Go equipment. That's about it.

Well, there seems to be an overlap between both groups you mention.

[Bantari]

Addressing the original topic:
Why buy a mahogany chess set instead of a plastic one? Both sets have the same rules and there's no difference in play. It's a matter of class and eloquence.

There is a whole spectrum of chess sets made of all kinds of materials. At which exact point does one acquire "class and eloquence"?
Same goes for Go sets.

PS>
To me, class was always about behavior and values, not possession and appearance.
But I am interested in others' opinions.

[tchan001]

With regards to the kind of material, a simple method may be to apply the 80:20 rule :
If you own the type of equipment which 80% of the go playing population would love to own but do not, you are in the 20% with "class and eloquence".

[bogiesan]

With regards to the kind of material, a simple method may be to apply the 80:20 rule :
If you own the type of equipment which 80% of the go playing population would love to own but do not, you are in the 20% with "class and eloquence".

No you're not, you've just an expensive version of the fundamental equipment. I need an iMac to perofrm my job as video producer but I really want one of theose new MacPro units. I could get my boss to buy one form me but it wouldn't make me any classier or more elequent. Heck, it would make a jerky becaue it's a waste of corporate resources.

You're only in the 20% of go players if you can actually play the game better than the other 80%. I will never be in that 20% but I've got some badass bowls and stones and boards.

[tchan001]

The question wasn't about whether you become classier or more eloquent, that's about your skill. It's about acquiring classier and more eloquent equipment. If you have some badass bowls and stones and boards, that means you have acquired some "classy and eloquent" equipment. And as you note, it doesn't automatically make you yourself more classy and eloquent skill-wise in the game.

Maybe I should reformulate the phrase:

If you own the type of equipment which 80% of the go playing population would love to own but do not, you are in the 20% which has acquire equipment with "class and eloquence".

[Bonobo]

Uhm, http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/eloquence

<scratches head>

[tchan001]

Some go equipment are certainly artistic enough to talk about with other go enthusiasts. Some are so nice you just let the equipment speak for itself

[imabuddha]

Because they publish some great books?

http://www.slateandshell.com/go-books.h ... escription

[tj86430]

This discussion reminds me of another forum, where one person once asked why anyone would want to buy a $2000 armchair (incidentally, it was a forum for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts )

[tchan001]

Because they publish some great books?

http://www.slateandshell.com/go-books.h ... escription

You'd probably have to offer the owners quite a premium before they are willing to sell you their company