Bones, thanks for the explanation, thats helped to clear up a lot of my confusion, I think with the wrong side of the brain, don`t you know.

I think instant gratification is whats going on here. I say this because bowling is an addictive game and once Joe or Jane bowler is hooked you`ve got them for ever. Wouldn`t it be interesting if this was all a consperacy and once the number of bowlers begin to increase to a level that is acceptable, the powers to be begin to dictate a sutle, gradual decrease in oil units and pattern types. So sutle that the house bowler doesn`t really notice the change and begins to make improvements in their game without even realizing  whats happening.