The marginalization of productivity is a feature of our modern world. It keeps us good consumers, because we can’t make the things we use on a day-to-day basis. If we can make them, making them is seen as low-status, and/or the things we make are seen as low-worth. ”Bought” things are better. At least, that’s how it’s been. We are seeing a turn-around as, to cut prices, the “bought” things are being made so cheaply that their quality has dropped below middling-well-made home items. How did we get here?
Category: Craftsmanship
What is a Status Symbol?
What is a status symbol? It is an item which you value because you own it, not because you use it. Let’s unpack that… We determine an item’s value based on a number of concrete factors including the cost of materials, the cost of the labor (which includes both expertise and number of people-hours), and…
Making Good, Better
I’m ruminating today about practicing the things that we are talented at and getting better than merely good. I’m wondering why we – mostly – don’t do that. When people are willing to put in the 10,000 hours (or whatever is necessary to master a skill), others are in awe. Which leaves me wondering –…