No, I said since there's a bunch of people who are on the internet, they all collectively looked at this one coral, and that's what created interest. The name has nothing to do with the interest, though by restricting his name to only crazy corals, the name is then associated with things that are exceptionally pretty, and that then allows people to follow his name when looking for really cool looking corals.
Heck, we're sitting here talking about Miami Hurricanes-a named coral that has an interest because people know the name/color of the coral and can all talk about the same coral. Same thing
Remember-not everyone posts on the internet. Scroll through the member roster and think of how few posts most have by their name. Those people who just read and browse may have some really nice corals, they just don't feel the same inclination to share. I wouldn't disagree with you that many people get into the collecting and trading/selling aspect, but your numbers are if anything flip-flopped IMO/IME.
And I'd disagree with class symbol. In any hobby there are people who like to trade around and collect choice items. this hobby aint no different. Comic book collectors do it, I did it as a kid with toys and baseball cards. Only difference here is that corals actually devalue as time goes on and they reproduce. So unlike all those other hobbies where a pricey thing (boy I wanted an x-men #1 when I was ten or so) is never going to come within your reach, in this hobby it actually does. My Miami's started near or above 2 grand. They're bellow the 1 grand mark now, in many places by a signicant number.
That there are people who have pocket books to support their desire to have the most slam-bang amazing tank they can have, that's a bad thing? That's the american dream, don't knock it. Capitalism is founded on wanting nice things, and occasionally nicer things. It's not a bad thing just because it's not the "fairest" for "everyone."
What should I check out in the zoa forum? That there's high priced polyps that a certain population is upset about? That's normal and no cause for alarm :beachbum:
I've made this remark elsewhere, but again-if you know of anyone breaking down their tank because they can't buy the really nice stuff, please let me know and ask them when they're getting rid of their house (cause it's not a mansion) or their car (cause it's not a ____ .) If you're a "true hobbyist" then you'll enjoy whatever aspect of this hobby you can. I couldn't afford lights for my 20 for a long time, so I enjoyed the heck out of watching all the different critters my live rock was growing in a tank with no fish or lights.
That the tank now has a few nice chalices in their makes me happy-but I would have enjoyed it either way :rollface: