I think today’s post reflects a sentiment that I, at least, have noticed around the blogging world (that is, outside of the mainstream media). A general desire to learn all those things that our recent generations have dismissed as un-progressive (I went to a very small alternative elementary school in San Francisco in the 70s and today I find it rather funny, in the name of progressive thinking, that I didn’t learn things like sewing, cooking, woodworking or machine shop – all skills that were fundamental in earlier education). So now, as you said, and the previous commenter as well, that there are many hands-on things that we can’t do and are now willing to pay (or barter) someone to teach us. I have also seen educators like John Taylor Gatto suggest than these skills are actually much more important life lessons that those we learn in school. The Amish are also being studied for the same reason. When I need an upbeat news fix after too much depressing information about the economy, climate, etc. I check out the latest at http://www.yesmagazine.org There’s always hope for this world!

I remember my grandma taking me in the kitchen and forcing me to learn how to make cream puffs. I had no desire to learn that, I wanted her to show me how to make her delicious bread and butter pickles.

But the reason she wanted to show me the cream puffs was that at one point in the process the dough changes drastically, but it doesn’t mean you’ve messed up. You keep going, and it rights itself. I don’t remember what happens to the dough, b/c like I said, I didn’t care to learn, so I promptly forgot it. But I can imagine that someone who really wanted to learn to make cream puffs would benefit from one-on-one instruction.

What I find interesting is that one-on-one instruction in the workplace is the worst way to learn something, unless you have a different person teaching you each day, because every single one of my coworkers does something wrong. There is no perfect employee, but my boss insists that having only one person be the trainer is preferable. What that means is that the rest of us spend 6 months to a year correcting each thing as we encounter it. Or we correct it, the employee who trained them re-corrects it back to the wrong thing, and this goes on like that until someone takes new employee to the boss and has the boss tell them the right thing to do, which still doesn’t disuade the boss from the single trainer idea.

But in line with this post, I do agree that people should be doing more for themselves instead of paying others to do it. Not only is it economical, but it really makes you feel good. I think a lot of the mass discontent we have as a society is because we’ve lost touch with doing things for ourselves and our families.

Dear Jacob,

De-lurking to chime in about Tracy’s (previous commenter) mention of John Taylor Gatto. That is who I thought of as soon as I read your post today.

In fact, I did get rid of (the few) childrearing books we had when our son was born (5 years ago next month). Nothing I read seemed to apply to him and I realized that what was most important was for my husband and I to know who we are and what we think is important for our son (and us as a family) and act from that base. (Therefore, next step is homeschooling :)).

On a less important note, I’m self-taught on a sewing machine, cooking and baking. My baking is good enough that I used to have a small business providing baked goods for local coffee shops. The sewing is pretty good and I had to remind myself that it would get better the more I do it.

Finally, I hope you’ll continue sharing your journey on this blog. I found you through a comment that Frugal Bachelor (I think it was him) made at GRS a few weeks ago. I find the path you’re taking inspiring and appreciate that you’re sharing it with us.

We learn “how” by actual practice.

Two simple uncomplex examples below:

1. An instruction manual might tell you to drill a hole in a sheet metal piece. It does not tell you to start the hole by making a prick punch dent, so the drill bit will not sail off the piece during the drilling operation. You learn that the hard way.

2. The same manual might tell you to remove a piece of half inch water pipe, but it will not tell you to “back-hold” the joint with a second pipe wrench, to keep from removing the whole system. Again, you learn by doing.

This is why we either learn the hard way, or we associate ourselves with an experienced person who has done the task, and can advise/show us the proper way.

I once attended a two week class on appliance repair, and the instructor said “Learn the theory, as anyone can fix nuts and bolts”.
NOT TRUE!!!

I often hear this type of thinking from professionals in white collar occupations when once they find out I am a shop teacher.

” Now I wish I would have learned how to…..”

When they were in school they were brainwashed by guidance counselors that the only successful path is college. Still happens but not as much in our district cause the word is out.

Some of the smartest people I know work in the trades and charge $50-$100 an hour to work on your expensive car/house/boat/computer/etc.

Even after reaching FI I will continue to work part time teaching people hands on skills…the look on their face when they get that feeling that Marcy was talking about…priceless.

Want to see our last big project? Go to http://www.honkernet.net/columbiasandrailproject/

Comments welcome