I am pretty much in agreement with the sentiments expressed by Tony in the previous post, and have a possible answer some of his concerns - but I hope he is not referring to me when he writes: "In recent times, I've heard criticisms of junk rig sailors running their own blogs."
The reason for me responding in this way is: I have had a bit to say recently about junk rig sailers running their own blogs, but not in the least intended as criticism. I have never seen any such criticism so I am not sure who he is referring to, but I would not like to be associated with it. What I have said is that one of the problems faced by our print magazine is competition from people who, these days, prefer to post to their own blogs, or to other social media such as facebook, or the JRA Forum. That is a lament, not a criticism. Good on them, I say. The print magazine needs to adapt to this.
[Edit: this is not a rebuttal. I understand what Tony means, and welcome his post. I just wanted to grab the opportunity to clarify some things I have, perhaps rather clumsily, said. Thanks Tony.]
Problem is, I am not sure, at this point in time, how to do so (adapt to the competition, that is.). Anyway, that's another story. (It occurs to me that Rael's media initiative shows the sort of lateral thinking that the Magazine Committee needs to be looking for).
Also, while I support Rael's project, including it's promotional aspects, I personally do not have any interest in promoting the junk rig in any evangelical sense. I would prefer to think that the JRA is educational rather than promotional. We should be promoting good practice, and promulgating good information. [Very much along the lines of the sort of contribution made by "do-ers" and "achievers" like Tony.]
Most of us understand that some of the reasons for the predominance of the bermudan rig are its place in the world of racing, general laziness in thinking outside the norm, and a preference for conformity and following others, all reinforced by the recreational boating industry, commercial print media and its leaning towards financial reward (and you don't make much money selling battens, bamboo and rope to junk rig DIY aficionados). That is understandable. Another reason, or course, is that the bermudan rig is pretty well-proven (to say the least). The junk rig will eventually have to find its place, on its merits, if it has any. I think that is happening.
It is an interesting irony, that when the junk rig begins to approach "main stream", there will be no more Junk Rig Association. No need. Where is the Bermudan Rig Association? The more successfully the JR is promoted, the less need there will (eventually) be for the JRA. We are still a long way from that, but perhaps the slowing of support for junk-rig-promoting activities (which is discernable) is a sign that the rig is starting to become main stream. In the recreational sailing dinghy and small cruiser world today, I would say the main "competitor" of the JR is the suite of other quadrilateral rigs such as the re-emerging gaff, sprit and especially the western lug - no longer the bermudan.
(And in the rarefied atmostphere of modern yacht racing, the pointy top is already passé. Perhaps the day will come, in the distant future (if the planet has one) when a small group of non-conforming marconi-rig enthusiasts will need to start up an association to prevent the impending extinction of their historic rig! Sorry, I keep digressing).
Where I most agree with Tony (aside from his current huge, extremely valuable contribution-in-the-background to the magazine, of which few people will be aware) is his urging of members to support Rael's project by contributing media. You know what is needed.
My dabbling with Boat of the Month, and recently the magazine, has confirmed and reminded me of something I have known from decades ago, back in the Ferrocement Association days. That is, you can have a society of good, thoughtful and intelligent people, but getting the rank and file to contribute their knowledge and experience is a bit like pulling teeth. It's not because people are selfish - its just that many good people don't like to push themselves forward, but prefer to maintain a slightly humble and modest demeanour. We should not be critical of that, but instead, continue to be encouraging. It's time-consuming but just something we have to accept - good people sometimes need a lot of nudging!
One of the reasons for the lack of media being received by Rael (though I hope the situation is changing) is that trying to get modest people to make selfies is a bit of a hard ask. Some of us are a bit self-conscious about doing that sort of thing. I can't do it, and I'm not even modest. May I suggest an alternative (I think Rael is already turning toward this): people - dig out your good photographs or your home-made video clips, and send them to Rael. And send some written text he can use with it, if you (like me) don't like doing a voice-over.
Some of the bloggers and social media posters, who are the subject of this post, have been producing excellent home-made video clips of late.
Send them to Rael.
[PS: And Rael (I can't miss this opportunity!) - when the media project is complete, and when you have recovered from your proposed voyage (or before, if you like) - how about a Boat of the Month, or a magazine article on the subject of shunting junk rigged proas?]