AN INSPIRING ESSAY ON CRAFTSMANSHIP

[Ace-Garageguy]

Written by a gifted model builder     http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Gould2.htm

[Kit Basher]

Excellent essay, Bill. If I can add some thoughts...

I think for some people "making things" is not an option, but a necessity. You hear this a lot from musicians, that "music is my life", and "I've always known I wanted to be a musician". I think the same applies to craftspeople.

This encourages me to believe that there will always be people who fit Mr. Gould's definition of a Craftsman. I am too old to be a big YouTube, Facebook kind of guy, but I get the impression that there is a group of young folks who call themselves "makers". The things they make may seem strange to an old fart like me, but I believe they are motivated by the same passion, curiosity, and perseverance that Mr. Gould describes.

As Mr. Gould says, the lack of appreciation for quality is the biggest obstacle. I think people will continue to make things to the best of their ability just for their own satisfaction, but if the general public cannot see value in that, it would be very difficult for someone who would like to turn their craft into a livelihood.

End of my musings. Thanks for posting the essay.

[Jim N]

That is an excellent article.  Thanks for sharing it.