Because I am a big science geek and former research scientist, I sometimes amuse myself by thinking of topics of controversy among scientists that might (if scientists were not generally introverts and not prone to be unathletic and nonviolent) lead to a all out down and dirty fight in a bar if everyone was drunk enough and someone got belligerent about whether or not viruses could be considered living things (for example). (I am maybe easily amused)
Recently, I turned my thoughts toward calligraphy and imagined the following scenario:
You and a group of calligraphy friends are having a friendly get together at your local dive bar. You are all chatting, comparing ink stains on your fingers, discussing how to get sumi ink out of carpeting and what methods you use to keep your cats from walking all over your latest work when in walks a posse of rival calligraphers. They sit at a table close enough to catch bits of their conversation, but not close enough that you bump chairs or have to walk directly past them on the way to the bathroom. Mostly your two groups ignore each other.
The evening progresses, several pitchers of cheap beer have been consumed, more calligraphers have joined each group and now your groups are so large that members of each group are bumping chairs and getting in each other's way when going to the restroom which is happening more and more frequently as more and more cheap beer is consumed. This causes some tension, but not much and everyone is still pretty friendly. But then, it happens: someone suggests doing shots. Nobody is really sure who exactly suggested it, but both groups heard it and think it was someone from their pack who suggested shots and so both groups are now doing rounds of shots. Tensions are rising. People are becoming belligerent. The bartender is starting look a little anxiously toward your tables and wondering if he should be taking bottles off the shelf and storing them under the bar for safety. He's already cut all of you off after an ill-advised round of Jagermeister shots for both tables had both of your groups demanding to see the bottles of liquor so you could examine the typography. Then, right at the point where both groups intersect, voices are raised. It's not noticeable at first, but in less than a minute everyone in the bar can hear their argument and two or three of their nearest neighbors have joined the fray. You look nervously at your friends and wonder if there is some way to diffuse the situation when one of the participants shouts something at the other and everyone's eyes meet and you all collectively think, "Them's fighting words." As the combatants all rise to kick each other's shins (because nobody wants to hurt their hands by throwing punches), the bartender puts in a call to the local police and thinks, "That's the last time I serve shots to calligraphers."
So.
What was the cause of the argument? What causes calligraphers to get their underwear in a bunch?
Two things that I can think of: straight vs oblique and diluting ink with distilled water vs tap water.
What else?
(Note: I am NOT trying to start any arguments or even discuss the merits of either side of the many and varied opposing viewpoints on techniques. Rather, I mean only to draw some attention to and poke gentle fun at some of the mild controversies within the calligraphy community.)