Why To Make Things

A collection for Paul Kirwin based on this prompt: “I’m a retired custom woodworker. I find community in the writings of others that have found satisfaction and comfort and value in the crafting of things. I’m not looking for ‘How-To Make Things’ books but more like ‘Why To Make Things’ books”

Alex Dobrenko

Blending these two notions, carpentry entails making things that explain how things make their world.

Ian Bogost • Alien Phenomenology, or What It's Like to Be a Thing (Posthumanities)

Lego Mindset vs. Woodworking Mindset

Scott Stevenson blog.scottstevenson.net

The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Rick Rubin • 92 highlights

amazon.com

Cover of The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Handwork in Wood

William Noyes

amazon.com

gardening as a counterforce to disconnect, a salve to the illusion of human separateness and control, and a path toward what it means to live a truly good life.

Wonderground • Audacious Gardening: On Daring to Care

How to build a newthing

Yancey Strickler ideaspace.ystrickler.com

The Practice

Seth Godin • 7 highlights

amazon.com

Making nice things is difficult and time-consuming.

If we want people to make nice things for us, we have to pay for their rent and grocery bills and raw materials