Hi Tony, I agree completely with your essay. Our society does not value manual skills and craftsmanship.
When I was learning life skills, we had all sorts of projects underway in the basement. One great source of inspiration at that time was the "Amateur Scientist" book referred to in the other posting. Among other articles in this classic is one giving instructions for a "Home Made Atom Smasher". In those days, we didn't need the evil internet to get great project ideas. The local library and book shop was sufficient. It was in the basement "Skonk Works" that I learned practical skills (mechanics, electronics, chemistry, physics, astronomy and pyrotechnics). These experiences have prepared me to design and build sundials, construct a couple of houses and direct a energy research organization*. In the "Industrial Arts" class in school, the only things we made were a cross and a darning knob. I am pleased to hear that you challenged the education system to get beyond such boring trivialities. Roger Bailey N 51 W115 * <http://www.gov.ab.ca/is/aostra>
