resources...

I have been reading David Whittaker's book, The Impact and Legacy of Educational Sloyd, and have arrived at the point of conclusion. There is little he could say here that I've not witnessed in my own hands, and those who take the time to observe the relationship between the use of the hands and the development of intellect will also know what we know. And yet, it is good to hear what we know expressed in the words that others have used.

For instance (and as quoted by Whittaker) Juhani Pallasmaa, one of Finland's most distinguished architects said "philosophers regretfully continue to emphasize and value conceptual, intellectual and verbal knowledge over the tacit and non-conceptual wisdom of our embodied processes." Whittaker quotes philosopher Honore de Balzac as follows "A hand is not simply part of the body but expression and continuation of a thought which must be captured and conveyed." One single book about the hands can lead the reader to new resources worthy of exploration.

I want to remind my readers to participate in the book-a-zine giveaway on the Fine Woodworking Website, in which you be one of two winners to receive a free signed copy of a new magazine issue featuring boxes by Strother Purdy and me.

I am nearing the time to assemble the Silverware chest to be featured in an article in American Woodworker magazine. The photo above shows the interesting way I devised for the three piece top panel to fit.

On another related matter, AEP/SWEPCO has hired a public relations firm from Washington, DC  to fix the problems created by their own malfeasance in proposing an extra high voltage power line through Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. The PR specialist visited area newspapers claiming that the power line would bring economic benefits to their local communities. I would recommend that she actually read their environmental impact statement before making any such claims. The particular public relations firm hired by AEP/SWEPCO, Capital Results, claims as their motto, "Perception is reality." This again is an example of what Matti Bergström called "finger blindness" in that those who've not had experience in the actual physical reality of crafting beautiful and useful objects are narrowed in their capacity to perceive intrinsic values. Just as those who are blind of eye cannot see objects, the finger blind are blind to the value of precious things and important cultural relationships.

Make, fix, create, share and teach...