As far as my experience goes, some roasters have been burning beans for over thirty years, never opening a book (such as Espresso Coffee) or attending an SCAA cupping for defects class or participating in regional Barista competitions as a judge ( Add on one certified USBC 2008 sensory judge and another year of roasting, making well over 2000 batches of coffee roasted by hand at Cultiva). In any case, I am just beginning. My saving grace in my opinion is that I am an info-holic of sorts. I will never become satisfied with what we know about coffee. It’s such a thick subject, and only those who are determined to never be settled with “just coffee” will be the ones who will help this industry along, and maybe even bring a bit of sustainability to it in the long run. I hope to be one of these folks in the industry, and work towards this goal everyday. I love your site and would love to come visit the next time I’m in Seattle. I do agree that I have barely any experience, but I’ve studied hard, watched PT’s for a day, Victrola, Metropolis, Broadway in KC, Blue Bottle, and a few others and saw some very interesting things that were very similar with them all… it was very interesting comparing their roasting styles. to each their own it seems. but when it’s good, it’s good!!