[extropy-chat] Worldwide SOS system

Mike Lorrey mlorrey at yahoo.com
Thu Oct 6 22:57:02 UTC 2005



--- David Lubkin <extropy at unreasonable.com> wrote:

> Mike Lorrey wrote:
> 
> >This is smart improvisational skills that people intent on surviving
> >should get
> >in the habit of. Products don't need to be built for what you use
> >them for. The improvisational habit can take work to develop.
> 
> Some time in grad school, I reached an understanding of software such
> that if a program existed or was suggested, I had an immediate sense 
> of how one might build such a thing. Maybe not the best design, but 
> one that would work. When I realized I had gotten to that point, it 
> felt tremendous.

Competency is a heady feeling.

> 
> I'd like, and am gradually acquiring, that level of grasp of design, 
> construction, and operation principles behind each of the objects I 
> use or encounter. Does anyone else feel that way?
> 
> Some of you, like Mike, seem much closer than I to MacGyver-hood.

Aw, I'm touched... These days I'm aiming for O'Neil-hood.... ;)

> 
> What avenues (specific books, courses, activities, etc.) have y'all 
> found worth recommending for reaching that competence, in each area 
> you feel you understand? (Geology, construction, physiology, cooking,
> combat, propulsion, etc. etc.)

Construction is a lot more of a "do it" thing than a "read it" thing,
though there are magazines that are useful. Popular Mechanics has
excellent home project articles that build good carpentry skills as
well as good automotive skills. Cooking is similar: you can read about
it, but only to prepare you for doing it. The main attitude that helps
with a lot of hands on skills is to just go do it, and in many ways
learn from your mistakes (so long as they don't cost you body parts).
When you cook enough, you learn what different ingredients do,
especially when you are out of one of them and have to improvise with
what you have. Look at it as practical chemistry. Most bad reactions
don't blow up your lab....;)

Mike Lorrey
Vice-Chair, 2nd District, Libertarian Party of NH
Founder, Constitution Park Foundation:
http://constitutionpark.blogspot.com
Personal/political blog: http://intlib.blogspot.com


		
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