Why didn't you just get rid of the unchanged monkey and create an unlinked copy?
Hi bbloozguy ,
Could you add a timpestamp please, so that we know what you are referring to?
Okay, found it, but seriously, next time add a timestamp, please.
Well, that would be possible and acceptable as well.
The reason, Jonathan did it this way, was probably partly to demonstrate this method, but also, because Linking the Object Data in this case is at least just as fast (if you don't have to explain what you are doing) and it has the advantage of using less Memory. With Linking, you get 2 monkeys for 'the price of' 1 and with Duplicating you 'have to pay' for both monkeys (and you even 'have to pay' for the Deleted Monkey, because that Data is still kept in Blender, at least until you close the program).
Yeah in the CORE series it's mostly about demonstrating and showing you concepts, not really about the optimal way of doing something, that workflow is usually on regular courses. That said, in Blender and in 3D, there are so many ways on reaching a goal, so many ways of going about something, that is not really an issue how you get there. You'll see people doing something in one way and you'll think, I would've done it this other way, and both will be valid.