[egypturnash]

But the Golden Mean is unequivocally and fundamentally distinct from the rule of thirds.

If you want to be anally precise, sure. If you are just using it as a rule of thumb for where it is pleasing to put the subject of your composition, which covers a good quarter of the horizontal extent of your canvas, there is little difference in practice. Especially if your canvas’ proportions are close to the golden ratio.

Like every “rule” of art, it’s more of a guideline. Do this and your picture will probably come out better than if you don’t do it; if you’re going to break one rule or another, then break the fuck out of it and make sure you’re not breaking any other rules unintentionally.

[droidmaker]

this isn't about 'annally precise"! Saying the Golden Mean is "about" 1/3 is like saying "it's not the rule of thirds it's the rule of Pi, since Pi is 'about' three, we'll say the frame should be divided 1/Pi" yes, it's about the same thing, but it's so unrelated and so absurd to use it that way, it's misleading.