I think of it the same way as hydroponics. Hydroponics are not natural, and you will never find that situation in the natural. There is far more dissolved oxygen and nutrients available to the plant then what would ever occur naturally. This is why the hydroponic plants grow at such an accelerated rate...because MJ can take more then what soil gives it. Light is just the same In My Opinion. Of course you can reach a point of diminishing returns when it comes to light, but in general...if you can take care of the heat...then the more the merrier.

I think you also are not taking into account that while Cervantes book is great...he obviously knows his stuff...but hes an old timer. Have you EVER EVER met an old timer that grows close to the canopy? Have you ever met an old timer that uses CO2 and environment controllers? Fancy air cooling? Ive met a lot of growers, and a lot of them older people, and they are all pretty set in their ways because it works well. Some of them even pull a decent yield (2lbs+ per light), but I promise you... none of their buds come close in size to what I see around here. The stuff that younger people are growing is out of this world, because they are more apt to spend the cash on the newer equipment, etc. Aircooling is really only a thing of the last 10 years...and I will argue that its only in the last 7-8 airs that its really caught on. So when Cervantes says that you risk burning foliage at 18" away? I mean you obviously know that PLENTY of people have their lights far far far closer then that without a hint of burning (me included). With a good room temp, a nice strong fan, an oscillating room fan, and a glass aircooled hood...you can get inches away. Does that mean you get better buds with 6" away compared to 10" away? I wont argue that small of a detail but you get my point. But 12" versus 20"? I will definitely argue that one.

Here is my reasoning behind it. I know already that having my lamps very close will not burn my plants, so there is no inherent risk. All I am risking is LESS product. Well I already know from personal experience that that is not true. But lets say for arguemental sake that having the lamps 12" away gets the same amount of product as 36" away. But with the lamp 12" away, you have 20 big fat colas and some nice side nugs, but with the 36" away lamp, you have tons and tons of smaller buds. Well...same amount of product, except everyone likes big top colas better and no one wants to sit around for weeks trimming tiny little branches and buds when you can be done in a few days trimming big kahunas. Well thats not the case...cause Ive experimented enough to know that not only will I get bigger colas with a close lamp...Ill get more weight too.

Trainwreck is great for writing...joint did me well. hopefully there arent many spelling mistakes. And remember, like others have said. Im not "right". Its my opinion...but I think your being shown that the information your basing your claims upon...are simply outdated. 100%.