Awhile ago in a thread about disinformation, and disintegration of truth, Chris made a comment about the loss of ‘Real Educations’; and that got me thinking… one side effect of getting older is being forced to sort out how things have changed and are changing.
Maybe it’s fallout from social media, immersive screen technology, dwelling in virtual realms, shortened attention spans- all those have exacted a cost to the species in the loss of tactile, mechanical, sensual, kinesthetic knowledge. Many vital skills and ways are fading.
Here’s the start of a list …a few of what I think are essential learnings, vanishing due to our fast paced, google eyed way of life. Skills that may have once seemed timeless, or at least somehow central to the persistence and pleasure of human existence. I hope others will add to the collection
Making a fire, changing a tire, mending a garment, catching a fish, cooking a meal from scratch, learning to swim, read, ride a bike or board, row or sail a boat, feel direction and force of the wind…
Rabbit Holes
Thanks to the rise of plastics and such, use and enjoyment of knots has become vestigial or specialized.
It may seem antiquated or esoteric, but knowing how to bend two different lines together so they’re joined yet each is not weakened by the connection, or hitch something so you KNOW it will stick, or form a loop that won’t constrict, or hold immense weight but still undo the line with an easy pinch… seems a good idea to not lose those skills.
And IMO beyond the manual and mental pleasure in rope-work, it’s worth knowing how knots are properly done and undone as practice to help dispel hasty and sloppy thinking.
I have to use my knot-tying book to remind me of many k
I have to use my knot-tying book to remind me of many knots. They are so useful, and there are so many different types.
– I’ve noticed many people don’t seem to know how to make a loaf of bread. That’s pretty basic stuff. Not easy, but basic.
– I’ve been told that young people don’t know how to count money or use coins.
– Using the yellow pages… (or, knowing what they are!)
– Using (and knowing what it is) a school room pencil sharpener.
– I’d guess that loading films in projectors or into cameras is a bit of a lost art. I still watch 8mm films every once in a while for fun. My Bell and Howell projector still works and the bulb hasn’t burned out. I think we got this in the 1960’s. By contrast, last-forever LED bulbs from a couple of years ago have died.
– Studying foreign languages seem to be going away – Brattleboro used to teach students French, German, Latin, Greek, Italian…
– adding a comment here seems difficult for many. Not so hard 15 years ago. : )