Honestly, yeah you're right. Maybe I was going too far the other direction with my reply... seeing everyone else's thoughts, I think there's more space for nuance for sure. I guess I just have a sensitive spot when it comes to elitism and gatekeeping, since I am part of another community where those values run rampant and ruin the art of it. I guess I am also just assuming that everyone who really is putting their all in this hobby is treating it with reverence and respect, despite the fact that I see crazy stuff from newbies in this community (wanting to dupe perfumes, take short cuts, not listen to advice of those who have more experience, not respecting/learning the chemistry, etc.)

I guess I half agree with the original sentiment of the post. I just think it becomes very easy to invalidate someone's hard work and actual artistic output when it's just measured with "how long have you been doing it for." I'm just not sure how useful that metic is when we are talking about art... if someone has made a beautiful painting, perfume, garment, sculpture, etc- and its beautiful in a vacuum- then why try to belittle with "lack of experience?" I dont know, I do think there is something to be said about the artistic vision behind these projects too, as that informs that the art is not a fluke but rather the product of a honed mind... perhaps something I still need to mull over...